Windsor 2nd XI vs Slough 3rd XI 30/6/2008
Windsor 170 – 9 52 overs
D. Riches 57*
R. Gregory 31
Slough 100 all out 36 overs
C. Edge 5-31
C. Kellard 4-19
Windsor travelled away to old foes Slough 3’s looking to build on the great win against OMT the week before. On an overcast day and wet wicket and outfield Skipper Paul Huggins was exceptionally keen to bowl first in what looked like ideal conditions. However, when he called wrong at the toss the opposition Captain had no hesitation in opting to bowl first.
As was thought the conditions did provide ideal for bowling as openers Zain and Amo found exaggerated swing and seam repeatedly beating the outside edges of openers Huggins and Malik as they struggled to lay bat on ball. Disaster struck in the 8th over as Huggins was adjudged LBW to Amo for 4 and Davis fell in the same fashion the very next delivery for a first ball duck. From here Windsor were well on the back foot with the score board reading 8 for 2. It was down to youngsters Malik and Riches to rebuild the innings and both made steady progress until with the score on 35 Malik played all round a swinging delivery from Muqit to depart for 13. This brought Mark Huggins to the crease who initially played with caution until a rush of blood led to ungainly swipe at Muqit as he was bowled for 6 and the Windsor innings was starting to look in real trouble at 43 for 4.
From here the rebuilding work started. Firstly, Riches was joined at the crease by Charters as the pair carefully added 26 before the later edged behind for 13 off the bowling of Rishi for 13 to leave the score at 69 for 5. George was the next to come and he too played sensibly supporting Riches as he grew in confidence and started to up the scoring rate. Boundaries were still hard to come by with ball held up by the slow outfield. George was out next mistiming a shot and getting a leading edge to point for 9 off the returning Amo as the score board was slowly improving to read 106 for 6. Gregory was in next and quickly into his stride as he manoeuvred the ball around well and took over the lead role from Riches. Just as Windsor were looking set for a competitive total Gregory fell for 31 attempting to cut one too close to him as he was bowled by Zain. With the score at 144 for 7 and only the tail to come the innings was in the balance again. Edge came and went bowled second ball by Zain as Slough sensed there may be an opportunity to wrap up the innings early. However, some sensible batting by Bean and then by Kellard in support of Riches allowed Windsor to close the innings on 170 – 9 with Riches finishing with a well earned 57 not out. Given the conditions Windsor knew Slough would need to bat well to pass their total.
Slough’s reply got off to the worst possible start as Gregory showed his golden arm qualities bowling Shalath with his first delivery to leave them 0 – 1. From here Chaggal and Ghazi showed good composure as they waited patiently for the bad balls to come as the score board moved at a steady rate. This lead to the experienced Chris Edge to be introduced into the attack as Windsor looked for the next break through and this duly came as he bowled Chaggal for 30. However, Slough looked to be well placed to challenge Windsor’s total at 58 – 2 on an improving wicket. The introduction of Kellard at the other end though soon swung the game back in Windsor’s favour as he had Ghazi caught and bowled for 17. From here no other Slough batsman made double figures as Kellard and Edge cut through the batting order reaping the rewards from some disciplined bowling. The last man Gumbs fell to the bowling of Edge for 7 well held by Kellard at mid off and Windsor had wrapped the innings up in 36 overs with Edge finishing with 5-31 and Kellard also returning excellent figures of 4-19.
It was pleasing to wrap up such a comprehensive win given Windsor had the worst of the conditions throughout the game. Dave Riches another Windsor youngster batted exceptionally for his 57 and some of his team mates would do well to take note of the application and determination shown in his innings. Credit also has go to the bowlers with Chris Edge showing he still has plenty to offer in the 2’s and Chris Kellard who is keen to regain a spot in the 1st XI and will have done his chances no harm with this performance.