Devon Cricket Board - DCBYA U14s 2011 Berkshire Report

DCBYA U14s 2011 Berkshire Report

Devon Cricket Board Youth Association Under 14s
Berkshire Match Report

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"Any ball will shine - even Mearsy's head!" quote Adam Parker.

Gosh it was hot! New venue Reading Blue Coat School, very picturesque although the end boundaries where very short. Marcus lost the toss and Berkshire batted. Jack Thomas and Ollie Dawe, back from his travels, opened the bowling and it was immediately apparent that Devon's attack had more control and venom on a pitch which did a bit. Ollie's first ball pitched up, nipped away and Dan Powell took a comfortable but sharp catch in the gulley. Just what was needed. With this wicket there was even more energy in the field and Ollie soon thought he had his second wicket but Jack Maunder quickly indicated the ball had not carried. After 12 excellent overs supported by top fielding Berkshire were on 25 and finding it very difficult to score runs. Marcus then introduced Todd Rossouw into the attack, who had been brought back to do what he is good at bowl straight and after a nervous first over he soon found his line and length and duly obliged. Matt Skeemer, the bowler of the season to date, then came on and second ball Jack Maunder's brilliant hands stumped Dewes who over balanced very slightly. 38-2 off 14 overs. Skeemer then took a second wicket thanks to a great diving catch in the gulley by Jack Thomas 51-3 off 18 overs. Berkshire thanks to Anderson and Harris recovered the situation slowly but surely and took the score onto 93 in the 30th over before, just after drinks, Dominic Bess, who as always bowled miserly, had Harris caught and bowled for 25. Next ball he had Harrison LBW 95-5. The hat trick ball was a dot. In his next over he then took his fourth wicket and he finished with figures of 9-1-32-4. Todd Rossouw then took a wicket and Jack Thomas finished off the Berkshire innings bowling Gregory with his first delievry of his new spell. Berkshire 149 all out in the 44th over.

Without doubt the bowling was much better. Ollie Dawe did make a difference as did Todd and so did taking a wicket in the second over. There was only one wide and no ball. There were 6 maidens. The fielding was better so all round it was a much improved, more confident and energetic display which was excellent given the heat and the journey.

It was not an easy pitch, if you took the pace off the ball it was difficult to score. This seems to be the case at the moment and is possibly due to the weather. Anyway we had practiced playing slow bowling and should have game plan. Play straight in the V, play with the spin, take every scabby run, and wait and put the bad ball away.

After an excellent tea, thank you, Matt Skeemer and Marcus Hoddinott opened against some very good Berkshire bowling. Skeemer played a memorable pull shot and they gradually took the score along to37 in the 11th over when Matt was bowled. Relatively untroubled Marcus and Jack Maunder took the score onto 51 in the 16th over and a drinks break, at which I imagine the Berkshire coach said bring the spinners on and they did. Almost immediate Jack missed a fairly straight one, an arm ball and was bowled through the gate and then Dan Powell followed with the score on 67 in the 23rd over. Marcus then edged one to slip and was well caught low down and Henry Gater and Barnaby Meadowcroft came and went. 98-7. Seb Ansley as is his want then took the attack to Berkshire while Dom Bess gave slip catching practice! They had put on 26 valuable runs though. Enter Jack Thomas who for the second time batted beautifully, waiting for the right ball then crashing it to the boundary. With Seb they put on 37 before Seb, 30, was perhaps in hindsight tamely out hitting across the line and giving a catch. Todd Rossouw and Thomas put on 10 before Jack played across the line when he had been hitting straight and was bowled. Great knock 33. Enter Ollie Dawe who gave Todd the strike and Todd managed to hit rather squeeze the winning 4 with 3 balls to spare. Relief..

What tension? What drama? Mearsy was left staring into the field wondering what had nearly been. They had got out of jail! A win is a win though. Quick talk. Then home, traffic jams et all and finally into bed at 12.45am ready for a 6.30am alarm and the start of a three day cricket tour..

Just think about how we approached our innings. Were we too cautious? Did we play as straight as we could have? Did we manipulate the ball for singles? Just some thoughts.

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