Report by Jack Cousens
A True Newfound Wicket
The 3s’ season hadn’t truly got going due to a string of rain and poor performances, still having nightmares about AWE Tadley shudders, but the mood was high as the boys gathered around the strip at Newfound, looking to make it two wins in two after beating Hook 4s the weekend before.
A touch green in places, but otherwise a very hard and dry pitch with one short boundary and a quick outfield had all the hallmarks of a ‘win the toss and bat long’ vibe. That vibe was swiftly broken when Captain Dan told us all to get the whites on. We’d lost the toss and Odiham 5s wanted to bat first.
Young George Bird opened from the Pavilion End with his usual explosion of pace and bounce, accompanied by Jack Cousens from the ‘Nets Under Construction’ End, having recently swapped leg spin for bowling what he describes as ‘boring, medium-paced line and length’. The latter’s lack of speed meant Newfound showed off its usual tricks, providing varying bounce that differed from snorter to pea roller depending on where it pitched.
After being spanked for back-to-back fours, Jack made the breakthrough with what he describes as an ‘aggressive, unplayable off-cutter’, which pitched miles outside off and hit low on leg stump, but what his 10 teammates confidently and unanimously recall as ‘a true Newfound wicket’.
Upcoming colt George Oliphant took over from Mr Bird, with the young quick finding movement in the air and bowling tight lines. Despite having a lollipop of a catch shelled in his second over, in his third, George, or rather Newfound, claimed its next victim. A ball pitching back of a good length rose no higher than a Hampshire adder’s belly button and clattered into the stumps.
While celebrations were had, there was a mere hint of embarrassment at what the pitch was offering. Oakley’s batters were also getting a little twitchy as they considered what they’d face later in the day.
At the interval, Odiham were 90-2, with their number three, Hope Horne, batting sensibly, countered by some brilliant fielding from the Oakley boys. Anything two yards wide of a fielder was finding the fence, but everything closer was being stopped, or the speed taken off the ball, to keep the runs down. The intensity was there. Keep it tight and chances would come…
So it seemed they would. After being hit for six, Alex Holman had the last laugh as he bowled the culprit with the next ball, the eighth delivery after drinks, leaving the visitors 97-3. However, the next man in decided to play Timmy Mallett’s Wacaday with the ball and accelerate what was a dwindling score into one that could become competitive.
In contrast, the steady Odiham number three moved on to her 50 before being brilliantly bowled by Ravi Kancharla, with the score 165-4. Had Hope given Odiham some hope?
It didn’t feel like it when the returning George Bird bowled the slugger and George Oliphant ran out the new batter in quick succession. Another wicket from George Bird had Odiham 179-7 from 38.2 overs.
Captain’s orders were clear: try to grab another wicket for an extra bowling point and keep them under 200. But then…
With the last ball of the innings, Oakley managed to do Oakley things. A shot played out to deep midwicket, where Benjamin Robinson was fielding, looked a simple single. As the ball was thrown in, it bypassed Ravi at the stumps, spun past Alex backing him up and evaded Jack too. The batters completed their second run as the ball rolled over the short boundary for a total of six runs. Odiham finished on exactly 200.
Proper Filthy Material
Some soul-searching at tea was had by a few members of the team. While we felt their score was at least 30 runs light, we also felt we’d given away too many runs in the field. A huddle formed around Alex’s phone to watch Ben Weller-Evans score a lightning-quick ton for the 2s, which was celebrated before a very explicit moment.
Jack Brundle pointed at Captain Dan and made a hand gesture so graphic and obscene that it made his teammates wince. With his fingers, he spelt out 1-0-0. Proper top-shelf, 18+, filthy material.
Strolling out to the crease with depths of confidence, evergreen Steve Savage and Captain Dan began making light work of the total, with boundaries galore among the opening overs, including a Dan Beckell leg-glance six which almost lost the ball.
While the farmer in the neighbouring field was harvesting his crop, Messrs Savage and Beckell were making hay while the sun shone.
It wasn’t all plain sailing, though. Steve managed to place, or nick, a shot through both keeper and slip for four, while Dan had to dig out the odd delivery that tried to bowl him under his stumps.
Steve honourably walked for 14 after feathering one behind to bring Benjamin to the crease. He decided after eight balls that he’d had enough and played the most elegant straight drive back over the bowler’s head for a majestic six.
Fours flowed for the pair, with Dan bringing up his 50 a week on from his previous half-century, correctly scored this week rather than announced at 49 seven days earlier, before Benjamin was trapped plumb LBW for 38. A partnership of 96 and the score 189-2.
Back in the hutch, Jack Brundle declared that today he would hit a six and deny Dan the 16 runs he needed to reach his ton. Despite hitting back-to-back one-bounce fours, Jack was denied his ‘show-off’ moment.
Word also reached the middle that Dan was four short of his century, and JB sensibly turned down a single so he could have the best seat in the house as the next ball beat the fielder to the long-on boundary. One hundred not out, as predicted by the man at the non-striker’s end.
Captain’s Knock
Dearest reader, I could continue to tell you about the innings of the captain. However, it was at times more ‘charmed’ than ‘charming’, as the skipper was dropped five times on his way to three figures. However, the scorecard doesn’t know about these things and, to be honest, we didn’t care. A name was going on the honours board and a jug of beer was going to be purchased.
In the 31st over, Dan whacked his final boundary of the day to finish on 105 not out and secure a comfortable victory. The game was played in the right spirit and Odiham were good fun.
A big mention also to Tom Hartgill and Will Hodgetts, who didn’t get a chance to impact the game with either bat or ball. We’ve all had days like that, but their teamwork, comradeship, laughter and joking were ever-present and always appreciated. The latter of the pair contributed with a great spell of umpiring before hosting the first, maybe last, and controversial ‘throw the NFL ball at a chair’ competition back at HQ, where a hat-trick of wins was celebrated for the second week in a row!
Forgive Me, Please, Editor…
This is the first time I’ve been asked to write a match report. It could also be the last time I’m asked, but I want to take this moment to say ‘thank you’ to Oakley Cricket Club.
After outgrowing the Cousens backyard, I took my two boys to colts sessions last summer. After watching for a few weeks, I got jealous of them. With the realisation that the Cousens Trio could grace a cricket field together at some stage, I bought some kit and, after two decades away from the game, I’m back playing again.*
The welcome we have had has been fantastic and, while I’m midway through my second season here, it feels like I’ve been part of the club for a while. Playing in the 3s is the perfect way to see Oakley as a whole. Energetic colts who are in the final years of youth cricket, and recently ‘graduated’ juniors experiencing adult cricket for the first time, showcase the future and depth of the club.
Oakley grandees highlight the wonderful heritage and longevity that village cricket has to offer, alongside everyone else at the club who, on summer Saturday afternoons, pretend they’re playing for their county or country and think about what might have been.
If you’re looking for a club, look no further than Oakley. It’s perfect.
* Sadly, my back is playing up again. I’m not sure I’ll make next weekend. Sorry, selectors…