Windsor 3’s season starts strongly.

Fulmer 105 All Out (34 Overs)
Windsor 106 for 2 (27 Overs)

Windsor 3’s opened their account on Saturday with a solid performance against under-strength Fulmer side. After losing the toss, Windsor were asked to field and new ball pairing of Rudi January and Jordan Thompson, a new recruit from New Zealand, immediately set into a rhythm with some accurate bowling. Thompson was particularly impressive swinging the ball both ways and should have picked up a couple of wickets but for some poor catching attempts by Windsor’s outfielders. Despite the tight bowling from Windsor, Fulmer’s openers stood firm and it was only the introduction of old war-horse Andy Wigley that brought the breakthrough, Dawson taking a smart catch at gully to leave them 38-1 after 13 overs. A change at the other end saw young prospect Kabir Bhuller introduced to the attack and he immediately gained the second breakthrough, clean bowling Fulmer’s number 3 with a full swinging delivery. From that point onwards, Windsor were in complete control and a steady procession of wickets saw Bhuller end his spell with 4 and Wigley with 2. Windsor’s fielding continued to improve in the second half of the innings and the tight bowling was backed up by good catches from Lickley and Noble, and an impressive run out from Haywood. With Fulmer at 88-7 after 30 overs, Thompson was re-introduced to the attack and soon mopped up the tail to collect his first wickets for Windsor, leaving Fulmer all out for 105 from 34 overs.

With Windsor’s strong batting line up it always looked like a target of 106 would not pose too many problems and so it proved as openers Huggins and Dawson got the innings off to an aggressive start, moving along at 6 an over for the first 8 overs. Both were looking in good touch and it was something of a surprise when, on 20, Huggins had his off stump removed. That brought Noble to the crease and the run rate slowed as he took time to play himself in. Dawson continued where he had left off from last season and had made a flowing 32 until he chased a wide one and was caught behind. With run rate never an issue Noble and Lickley, batting at number 4, pushed the ball around with ease. With only 30 needed both men opened their shoulders and a flurry of boundaries took Windsor to within touching distance of victory. It was left for Noble to hit the winning runs with Windsor coasting to an 8-wicket win with more than 13 overs remaining.

All in all a very good start for Windsor, who will look to build on this victory with the league season fast approaching.