Morden v St Lukes – Saturday 16^th June 2007

scorecard

St Lukes 1^st XI

Mick Packer

Karl Quinn

Craig Streets

Fawad Omer

Charles Hillman

Michael Krishna

Tim Craig

Doug McFarlane

Gotham Kandavelu

Tim Blatt

Jason Custance

The Match:

A rather showery day at Morden for our seventh outing of the season, and in the absence of Ed the side was lead by Charlie Hillman. With several regulars away there were also first Ist XI outings of the season for new dad Gotham, veteran Mick Packer and Doug McFarlane.

The last time Charlie had skippered St Lukes 1^st XI (in the corresponding match last year) he had lost the toss to the Hook & Southborough skipper (who were playings the 2nds) so it was with some relief all round that Charlie was able to negotiate the toss without incident this time round. He lost the toss and St Lukes were invited to bat.

After the early loss of Mick for a duck to a ball that dipped, Karl (36) and Craig (21) shared a second wicket partnership of 42 in 7 overs with aggressive batting all around the wicket from both players. St Lukes then lost 4 wickets for 15 runs and were left in the perilous position of 58 for 5.

At this stage Tim Craig joined Michael ‘Harry’ Krishna and against some tight bowling added 73 for the fifth wicket in 23 overs. Harry top scored with 41 whilst Tim chipped in with 36. The innings then rather folded away miserably in the rain and we were dismissed in the penultimate over for a modest 150. The only points of note in the last few overs were Michael’s comical full length dive to be run out by about 4 yards and Jason forgetting to put any pads on before coming out to bat.

As usual at the very convivial Morden club the teas were excellent but as Tim Craig tucked into his third pickled onion it was unlikely that even he could have anticipated what was to follow.

In much improved conditions after tea and on a track enlivened by the pre-tea rain St Lukes produced a disciplined bowling and fielding display. Against some indifferent batting St Lukes were able to bowl out Morden for 41 in 23 overs. The bowling was tight all round and Dougs looked particularly threatening in his short spell. The figures speak for themselves:

Custance 10-2-17-2

Blatt 5-2-4-3

Krishna 6-1-16-3

McFarlane 1.4-0-2-2

The bowlers were ably supported by the fielders with 4 catches for Charlie, 2 for Tim C (one of which just landed on his outstretched palm) 2 for Michael and a very sharp catch at slip from Gothum.

St Lukes therefore recorded their 4^th win of the season in 7 games, a victory by 109 runs.

Shot of the day:

Karl – straight six over the opening bowler’s head in the 4^th over.

Catch of the day:

Gothum – a sharp chance out at slip

Jug Avoidance

Charlie – having already held 4 catches he let a fifth chance drop feebly in front of him.

Man of the Match

Michael Krishna – Harry had a spectacular day with bat, ball and in the field and a fine all round performance was marred only by his attempts to fold up Rhianna’s small tent at the end of the day. St Lukes Cricket Club would like to formally thank the lady spectator who took pity on him as without her assistance it is likely that he would still be there now.