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President’s Day – Monday 25th August
Chris Evans27 Aug - 18:14
A very enjoyable day for all those involved.
Short Lane was host to a very entertaining President’s Day match on Monday. Due to limited availability, the planned 6-a-side tournament was cancelled and a hastily arranged “Test Match” was conjured up. The format was a two innings match with each innings lasting a maximum of 20 overs.
Matt Knight’s team, containing a number of inexperienced AHC members, took on a fairly strong team captained by Eman Iqbal. Matt Knight confidently won the toss and elected to bat first.
The match started on-time at 12:30pm and the game was overseen by two strict umpires, Secretary Robert Nicholls and the President. Despite persistent slow play in the 1st innings, it concluded roughly on-time as Matt’s team was dismissed in 18 overs for what was a disappointing 96. Elliott Axten and Harvey Bray were the main contributors with 24 runs apiece, while Ibrahim Masood took three wickets with 2 wickets each for Satyam Patel and Karimullah Motee. After a short break, Eman’s team then batted and thanks to excellent knocks from Abiruth Selhi and Bikramjeet Singh, they raced to 151 for 2 at the end of 20 overs.
There was then a sumptuous tea laid on by Paul Thompson which was up to his usual high standard, and it was enjoyed by all present.
After tea, Matt’s team batted for a second time and as agreed, the batting order was reversed. Eman’s captaincy was very much trying to ensure he ‘made a game’ of things and he fed a few runs. However, things got a little out of hand and Matt’s side raced to 222 for 7 from 20 overs with fifties from Paul Cousens and a very rapid one from Graham Doggett. The captain batted patiently to ensure all 20 overs were used this time. The key bowlers were Yasir Butt (2 wickets) and a further two victims for Ibrahim.
Eman’s side was then chasing far more than they wanted to, with a target of 163. Despite good knocks from Arsh Hassan, Yasir and Manraj Gill, the run rate was always a little too high and all fell trying to increase the scoring rate. Alex Graham with three wickets and two each for Matt Knight and Ashish Singh, did the damage.
Matt’s team ran out winners by 43 runs and the ‘Match Hero’ award, decided by the two umpires was presented to Harvey Bray (AHC member). He scored an excellent 24 runs in the first innings and took a steepling catch at long off, much to the surprise of all present.
An excellent day all round, and one which all absent members will have wished they had not missed. Next year, perhaps there will be a better showing from the 1st XI and 2nd XI members.
Many thanks to all who helped make the day run smoothly. To groundsman Andrew Goulding, caterer Paul Thompson and to Mark Doggett and Keith Nash on the bar. And a final thank you to all the spectators.
See full scoresheet.
Matt Knight’s team, containing a number of inexperienced AHC members, took on a fairly strong team captained by Eman Iqbal. Matt Knight confidently won the toss and elected to bat first.
The match started on-time at 12:30pm and the game was overseen by two strict umpires, Secretary Robert Nicholls and the President. Despite persistent slow play in the 1st innings, it concluded roughly on-time as Matt’s team was dismissed in 18 overs for what was a disappointing 96. Elliott Axten and Harvey Bray were the main contributors with 24 runs apiece, while Ibrahim Masood took three wickets with 2 wickets each for Satyam Patel and Karimullah Motee. After a short break, Eman’s team then batted and thanks to excellent knocks from Abiruth Selhi and Bikramjeet Singh, they raced to 151 for 2 at the end of 20 overs.
There was then a sumptuous tea laid on by Paul Thompson which was up to his usual high standard, and it was enjoyed by all present.
After tea, Matt’s team batted for a second time and as agreed, the batting order was reversed. Eman’s captaincy was very much trying to ensure he ‘made a game’ of things and he fed a few runs. However, things got a little out of hand and Matt’s side raced to 222 for 7 from 20 overs with fifties from Paul Cousens and a very rapid one from Graham Doggett. The captain batted patiently to ensure all 20 overs were used this time. The key bowlers were Yasir Butt (2 wickets) and a further two victims for Ibrahim.
Eman’s side was then chasing far more than they wanted to, with a target of 163. Despite good knocks from Arsh Hassan, Yasir and Manraj Gill, the run rate was always a little too high and all fell trying to increase the scoring rate. Alex Graham with three wickets and two each for Matt Knight and Ashish Singh, did the damage.
Matt’s team ran out winners by 43 runs and the ‘Match Hero’ award, decided by the two umpires was presented to Harvey Bray (AHC member). He scored an excellent 24 runs in the first innings and took a steepling catch at long off, much to the surprise of all present.
An excellent day all round, and one which all absent members will have wished they had not missed. Next year, perhaps there will be a better showing from the 1st XI and 2nd XI members.
Many thanks to all who helped make the day run smoothly. To groundsman Andrew Goulding, caterer Paul Thompson and to Mark Doggett and Keith Nash on the bar. And a final thank you to all the spectators.
See full scoresheet.
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