BAS Cricket Match Reports 2007

Champion of the Thames, Girton, June 12, (L, H)

The league match tonight against Champion of the Thames was, contrary to expectation, played out in glorious sunshine. Champ won the toss and elected to bat, leaving BAS to take the field in sultry conditions (early on). This suited our swing duet of Sidebottom and Hoggard (aka McCormack and Hibbins) who contained Champs openers with some very tasty deliveries that wobbled about a bit in the air. Our first change bowler Panesar, (or Dan to his mates) was brought on to tempt a few rash shots with his cunning slow left arm spin, and he duly obliged by snapping up both openers within 6 deliveries. Some aggressive bowling from Hilyard when the slog was on partnered by Goodall (senior) at the death saw 4 more batsmen depart (including 2 run out), with Champ ultimately returning a respectable 120 for 6 .

BAS got off to a stuttering start when batting with the captain muttering something about the ball "sticking in the pitch" after his stumps were ever so slightly rearranged. But facing the Steve Harmison clone at the other end (honestly!) would have been even more challenging but for some Durhamesque deliveries that tested their keeper more than they did our batsmen. "Groove that action", Harmy. Having eventually seen off their opening bowlers (by presenting them with our wickets), the BAS upper order sat down and admired the impressive array of shots unfurled by messers Hilyard and Ray. This provided a 5th wicket stand that yielded over 60 runs. Then, after they had both departed to consecutive deliveries by Needham, it was left to Goodall (Jnr) and his accomplice (Chisham) to try and chase down the opposition total. In failing light and with the overs rapidly running out, a mixture of elegant ground strokes and sweaty running had the BAS team cheering their every shot during a very accurate last over by the pesky Needham. But in the end we fell just short, losing the game by only 3 runs.

MCC, Girton, July 31 (F)

The MCC report: In glorious atypical summer weather the MCC strode out to do battle against BAS this Tuesday evening. We batted first and achieved 85 runs for 9 wickets. Once again, our highest scoring player was "Wides" at 19. We should definitely sign him. Total runs scored by batsmen = 53. Special thanks to Tristan for stemming the middle order collapse. Both teams fielded two secret weapons. Ours were our twelth man Mike, who batted manfully, and our 13th Graham who kindly umpired - unfortunately neither could quite swing the game in our favour - while BAS played a girl and a small boy, who batted boyfully. Some demonic bowling from MCC stars Fasham, Tyrrell, Fouracre, Allcorn and Folkard and agile fielding from "Flies-like-a" Bird, "Cat" Crosby and "Big Ben" Lascelles avoided what could have been a crushing defeat, and it all hinged on the last three overs. Sadly the night was not ours. We lost, reputedly by 1 run, on the 119th ball of the 120-ball-each match, as BAS scored 86 runs for 7 wickets. MCC man of the match goes to Tuk-Tuk Tyrell. A good showing was then made at the post-match pub by four BAS men and five MCC'ers.

All Stars, Parkers Piece, June 19 (L, A)

The BAS team witnessed (because to say we participated will be misleading) a slightly overwhelming defeat at the hands of Allstars last night. Chasing an improbable 162 to win in the dark, I chose to use our innings for batting practice (where some of us had more practice than others). For the record we were about 100 runs short at the close, though it seems Allstars have swept all before them this season which is hardly surprising given the calibre of their team. Having said that, they were very gracious winners and, because we were one short, they kindly loaned us fielders and a batsmen.

Comberton, Girton, August 7 (F)

Despite Jon Shanklin’s rain dance email earlier in the day, the weather was set fine for our clash of the Titans match against Comberton Cricket Club. After not having to toss up as Comberton still only had half a team by 6.15 they were put into bat and given by mutual consent Andy Clarke as a show of charity to even numbers up. A bewildering (especially for Comberton) variety of bowlers and styles were brought into the attack against a positively quaking opposition after the first over with Rob Hibbins getting a wicket from a tight over. After Rob set the style rather than the pace, all BAS bowlers chipped in for their overs, Ricky the Chef bowled well coming back to the game for the first time in years along with R. Lloyd-Parry who took a wicket after a 3 year absence. The Comberton batting resistance was led by Martin Collins with support from Cook, Cook and Baker and the ever present extras built a total of 130 off 15 eight ball overs. This total was not enough as BAS made early runs from Brunt/Ray openers. The middle order finished the job off with an innings built around Hillyard who had good partnerships with Hibbins, Roger and Staniland who also hit the winning runs. A rather more comfortable win compared to last weeks one ball to go, with a margin of 1 1/2 overs to spare. Well done BAS, and cheers to Comberton for a good match and beer afterwards.

Robert Sayles, Girton, August 16 (L, A)

We lost. BAS put on another consistent performance in the field and with the ball but fell short with the bat. However, Sayles scored 124 and BAS weighed in with 102. We broke the ton when the scoring was examined and found to be missing several runs, so not bad batting considering some of our more monumental batting collapses. Highlight was Ricky the Chef batting with a quick 39 and Jon Shanklin’s ozone hole plugging stop in the covers. Everyone else chipped in including newcomers like James Swift coming back to the game after a long absence.