Devon Cricket Board - Stein hat-trick spins Plymouth to unlikely win

Stein hat-trick spins Plymouth to unlikely win

BEN Stein couldn’t have picked a better time to take the first hat-trick of his career as it earned Plymouth an unlikely four-run win over visiting Heathcoat.

Plymouth skipper Matt Hooper had just about run out of ideas when he turned to off-spinner Stein as a bowling last resort.

The city side had made a below-par 206 all out – and Heathcoat were just about to knock them off.

Heathcoat had six overs left to make six to win with three wickets intact – and former Plympton batsman Qassim Adams unbeaten on 122.

Adams didn’t know it at the time but he is the first batsman to score three successive Premier Division centuries – against Exeter (126), Cornwood (132) and now Plymouth – since the league switched to 18-game seasons in 1999.

And one more ton will make him the first batter to score four in the same season since the same rule change.

Adams has some competition there though as Sidmouth’s Liam Lewis has three as well!

The over didn’t start well for Plymouth or Stein as his first ball was a wide, which appeared to make the job easier for Heathcoat.

Stein’s next ball was a full-toss, which Thompson obligingly hit straight to James Toms.

As the batsmen had crossed while the ball was in the air, Lee Dixon faced the next delivery and poked it to Plymouth’s Gionne Koopman.

Now it was game on. Last man Matt Hague on strike, five required to win and Stein on a hat-trick.

There was no messing about – Hague was bowled first ball and Plymouth had won to keep a tight grip in second place in the table behind leaders Sidmouth.

When Heathcoat were 169 for five with 12 overs to go, you wouldn’t have got good odds on Plymouth winning.

Plymouth were a bowler short – spinner Hooper was keeping wicket due to injuries to other players – and Adams was unbeaten on 102 having just completed his second successive league ton.

Hooper could barely believe his side won.

“I would like to say it was inspired captaincy, but I thought the game was done,” said Hooper.

“Gionne had just finished his 10 overs so I thought I'd continue with spin from that end.

Ben Stein is a good bowler, however he started with a wide but then he got Adams out with a big full toss.

“To be fair to Ben the next two balls were right on the money with fielders round the bat and there was a lot of pressure on 10 and 11.

“I felt for Adams as he batted superbly, he showed our top order how to apply themselves and he deserved to be on the winning side.”

Opposite number Sam Smith struggled to come to terms with losing.

“It was gutting to go down the way we did, however our batting didn't deserve the win, obviously Qassim is the exception,” said Smith.

“It only needed two of the top six to bat time with Qassim and the game would have been done.

“We failed to do that and handed them the game. It's not the bowlers’ job to score runs and they should have never got in.”

Stein was the first recipient of the pats on the back, but there were plenty for Plymouth tail-ender Jack Hughes as well.

Plymouth found runs hard to come by – they were 72 for five after 20 overs with Koopman out first ball to Paul Elliott (4-39) – and needed a pick-me-up.

Jake Luffman made a restrained 58 off 76 balls, then Hooper chipped in with 26 not out.

Out came Hughes at 144 for eight and his six-boundary knock of 36 helped Plymouth add a vital 62 for their final two wickets.

“I was really glad the tail took us to a respectable total,” said Hooper.

“Jack Hughes in particular showed the top order how it was done, hitting the bad balls and keeping the good ones out.

“Jake Luffman batted well and was disappointed to miss out on a big score.”

In his overview of the game and where Heathcoat are in the grand scheme of things, Smith said: “Paul Elliot came back with a bang his four wickets were well deserved.

“We look forward to his presence for the rest of the year.”

Smith added: “We are threatening to become a top-half Premier team but as yet we are not composed at the finish line as we have shown the last two weeks.

“We have arguably the best pro in the league and a young squad with growing confidence.

“I am hopefully we can come through the last five games with some positive results and set the platform the club needs for next year.

“Two home games in a row are massive for us and it's time for our top six to stand up and some new players to score big.”

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