Burnham are put in a spin

Windsor 283 for 4; 52 Overs (Bird 71, Clarke 62*, Watkins 54*, Davis 44)
Burnham 235 all out; 45 Overs (Abbas 88)

This game marked the second half of the league season and in contrast to their first meeting this year, the weather was hot and sunny and the outfield was quick. Upon winning the toss, Windsor skipper Craig Bird won the toss and did not hesitate in taking the opportunity to bat first.

With the ball moving in the humid conditions, early overs were tough going for Windsor opener Davis and Bird. Their patience though, would pay off as the Burnham opening bowlers tired and began to let slip some loose deliveries. The Windsor pair reached yet another 50 opening stand and looked well set at the first drinks break at 69 for 0. A loose shot by Davis (44) though of Abbas, saw him miss out on a fifty and brought Clarke to the crease. After an initial settling period, Clarke began to push along at the same run rate as his captain. Bird then brought up his fifth league fifty of the season. The pair carried on the assault and it was only when Bird went wandering out of crease to Abbas on 71, that the partnership was broken. Millman joined Clarke and the pair built another strong partnership, which only ended when Millman decided to copy his skipper’s mode of dismissal and was stumped for 34. A brief appearance from Nichols was cut short by a “doosie” of a leg-break from Burnham’s left spinner. Watkins then came to the party and teed off from the word go, hitting Abbas for three sixes in an over and reverse-sweeping Asif through backward point for four. Both Clarke (62 not out) and Watkins (54 not out) reached classy fifties as the final 12 overs gleaned 100 runs and took Windsor to 283 for 4 off 52 overs.

Burnham immediately went on the attack from ball one, and only a difficult drop at point saw them lose a wicket with an uppish drive from ball one. Nichols though got his revenge in the next two overs, having both openers caught with lively penetrative deliveries. Abbas then took a grip on the game and turned defence into attack in an attempt to drive Burnham towards the target. With his partner Malik being pummelled by Nichols at the other end, Abbas went on all-out attack and the run rate soared to 8 an over, with Windsor struggling to peg Burnham back. Abbas sped past fifty and looked set for a huge score, much to the glee of a rather exuberant Burnham crowd. The introduction of Watkins and Mohindru began to temper the attack though and Windsor when finally removed Malik lbw to Watkins, Abbas bore too great a burden and perished to fantastic reflex caught and bowled by Mohindru. The Windsor spin pair continued to chip away at the Burnham order (both collecting 3 wickets) and only a obdurate innings from Nawaz stood in the way of victory. The introduction of Leg Spinner Kellard saw Nawaz’s resistance finally end and it was left to Nichols to remove the off stump of Burnham’s last man to take Windsor to a deserved victory and a further 25 league points.

With bottom club Falkland visiting The Home Park this Saturday with rumoured batting reinforcements in tow, Windsor will again be continue the winning run. With the ground set up for Lord’s Taverners game the next day, the scene will be set well for a keenly competed game.