WINDSOR 119 all out (41 overs) 25 POINTS
Bird 53
defeated
DATCHET 104 all out (39.1 overs) 6 POINTS
Mohindru 5-6 (7 overs)
Nichols 4/37 (20 overs)
After a difficult week which included Windsor overseas having to pull out at the 11th hour, and massive amounts of rain fall upon Home Park on Wednesday and Friday night, Windsor played host to local rivals Datchet.
With Windsor tormented by unavailability it was a distinctly youthful look which took the field with Mark Lines coming back into the side and 17 year old Vishal Nair making his debut.
Datchet won the toss and inserted Windsor on a pitch which 18 hours before had been under an inch of water. The staff at Waterer’s led by Steve pulled out the stops on the morning of the game to produce a wicket that resulted great contest that tested the technique and nerve of both sides.
Windsor started quickly with openers Bird and Birch putting on 18 for the first wicket before Birch played down the wrong line of a straight one from James Lambert and was bowled for 14.
Chorley joined Bird and the pair moved the score on to a respectable 48 when in the 13th over Chorley edged one to the keeper off Lambert for 11. This brought Vishal Nair to the crease. Nair looked very comfortable as he and the balding stalwart Bird, moved the score on to 91 in a manner which was to contrast with the remainder of proceedings for the day. Bird went past 50 for the second game in succession and was unfortunate to be run out for an impressive 53.
With the wicket drying A. Dick changed ends and was replaced by J. Dick and the brothers Dick bowled well in tandem slowing the run rate and grabbing the wickets of Lines and Nair before the score had reached 100.
On a pitch that was now really testing the technique of the batsmen against a turning and seaming ball Windsor proceeded to subside to 119 all out in the 41st over with Andy Dick finishing with yet another 5 wicket haul against Windsor in a great performance.
With game on fast forward the Umpires decided that Datchet would face 10 overs before tea was taken. Windsor opted for the old ball and an ultra attacking field and were soon amongst the wickets as Malloch had Tilly caught at gully by Ben Harris in the second over bringing Tim Aldis to the crease.
Aldis and George moved the score on until just before tea when Wes Nichols had George caught at 1st slip by Bevan Malloch. Tea was taken with the game in the balance with Datchet at 30 for 2.
Upon the resumption Windsor kept applying the pressure. Ben Harris backed up by some great fielding particularly from the ‘Ginger Ninja’ Ollie Birch, bowled with great control and a huge amount of skill at the river end and was very unfortunate to remain wicket less.
There are not many 17 year old finger spinners who can contain players of the calibre of Tim Aldiss, his performance went a massive way to achieving Windsor the result.
With seven wickets still needed and Oram and Aldis beginning to look comfortable Nichols decided to take the new ball and soon after had Oram LBW leaving Datchet requiring 39 runs with 6 wickets remaining. Rahul Mohindru replaced Harris. And he and Nichols ratcheted up the pressure.
With Aldis looking on forlornly on at the other end, Mohindru tore through the remainder of the Datchet order. Backed up by his close fielders Weston, Lines at short leg and silly point respectively he exploited the turning track to have three batsmen caught in close off sharp bat pad chances as Datchet froze and were reduced to 101 for 9.
With no partners remaining it really was Tim Aldis versus Windsor. Realising that it was probably just a matter of time before Dick was dismissed at the other end, Aldis tried to attack Mohindru. But it was an ask too far. Mohindru saw Aldis coming as he advanced down the track and dragged the ball a little shorter resulting in Aldis skying the ball to deep square leg when Lines took a great catch.
Aldis finished on 60 out of 104 all out in a masterclass of batting and was the only Datchet batsman to really look to trouble Windsor on a very difficult wicket for batting. But Aldiss could not do it all himself as Windsor were very worthy winners.
It was an exceptional bowling and fielding display by Windsor who picked up their first 25 point win of the season lifting them to fifth in the table. Ben Harris was an unsung hero as he spoilt any chance Datchet had of rattling through in the early overs of the contest, which set things up superbly for the old stager Mohindru, who with the new ball showed all the guile and skill that has claimed him 300+ wickets for the club…
Wayne Lloyd in his first 1st XI game in 15 years was terrific as he gloved everything up to high standard, an amazing on a mine feild wicket, he did not let one bye through either, a great performance.
What was also nice to see was the Windsor colts starting to come though the sides ranks. Nair, Harris and Lines are all local juniors and under 18! It truly speaks wonders for Windsor colts system and the fact that these lads at such a young age can contribute in the 1st team. This coupled with more promising U/20 local juniors in the 2nd XI in Hartridge, Malik, Chana, Kellard and Riches makes the club look in very safe hands! Its up to these lads to take their chances when they come, something the Nairs, Maliks and Harris of the club seem to be doing well!
Next week sees Windsor travel to competition leaders Marlow. Windsor must bot get carried away with the win if they are to be competitive over there. With overseas DuPreez finally available pressure will be on for the lads to keep contributing to the side movement up the ladder