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Jags 163-5 (Dunn 62*, Brolia 38, Parrish 28, Panigrahi 2-17, Rodriguez 2-21) beat Waterbeach 123-7 (Jones 41, Talaga 27, Sawyer 3-26) by 40 runs.

POTM- Alex Dunn

On a sunny yet cool June evening, the Jags returned to Queens for the first home game of the year. Several absentees this week meant that the XI was supplemented with one of Histon’s most premier batters, Alex Dunn alongside much of the usual group of regulars. Mr Fardell had decided that some match at Lords was more significant than this business house 2 league game, so in his absence I, Savage, have taken honorary blog responsibilities.

We arrived to find the ground in as beautiful condition as ever, the chequered striped outfield was remarked upon most frequently by the team. Regular readers of the blog will recall the dire condition of the opposition’s, Waterbeach, ground in the reverse fixture last year. We were all thankful for the more even condition of the pitch for this year’s game.

Captain fantastic won the toss (after a 5 min hunt for a coin) and elected to make first use of the pitch with bat in hand. The seasoned opening partnership of Parrish and Brolia (our resident footgolf world cup finalist) set out to the middle to face the Waterbeach attack. Not for the first time this year, we were off the mark from the first delivery, a waist high no ball dutifully pulled away by Matt for 4.

The bowling was accurate, without being initially potent, allowing Matt to keep the scoreboard ticking, while Ant reacclimatised to sport on this side of the pond. Parrish continued to score the bulk of the runs, with many 2’s scored to the wide Queens boundaries. When Parish eventually fell for a well-made 28 to a good catch in the covers, the score was 36-1 (5) – a solid start. Dunny entered the fray at number 3, fresh off a cracking 50 in the Walker cup on Sunday. He began his innings patiently, with beautiful front foot defensives, right out of the ECB coaching manual. With the new batter in, Ant capitalised on some loose bowling to advance his total with 3X4’s in quick succession. The score moving on to 73-1 at the halfway point of our 20 over innings.

The first change bowler particularly caught the attention of the team, being identified as Lumber of Cottenham CC. Fortunately he was met with Dunny’s now swinging blade, who played 2 beautiful consecutive drives down the ground for maximums.

It took a beautiful looping full toss to remove Ant, who was bowled for a swashbuckling 38(26). Phillips strode out to the middle at number 4, his stay was alas short lived before he fell in the same over to a now well pumped-up Rodriguez. Barker entered the fray and got his innings underway with 1’s and 2’s into the gaps. Dunny was rolling now, having made short work of the 30’s and 40’s, he made it to 50 with a shot over midwicket for 4. Well batted sir.

In the meantime, Ant had caught his breath following his exploits with bat in hand enough to form a love shack facetime call with his +1. A touching moment, that he chose to share while lying in a bush.

The last over of the innings arrived and brought the end of Barker’s supportive innings of 11. Coslett had the unenviable job of swinging for the last 5 balls. He was very successful in this, finding open pasture on the leg side, pushing back for the third to get Dunny on strike, he was alas run out thanks to a strong return from the deep. Sawyer entered the middle to run 5 runs and not face a ball. Jags finished on a strong 163-5, knowing that early wickets would surely make the run rate unachievable.

Brett began the innings with usual economical accuracy. With the batter unsettled, a quick leg bye was attempted. The skipper bounded forwards ripped off a glove and threw down the stumps. The batter was well short at the non-strikers and their opener was back in the shed without score. 

Tyler opened from the other end but was treated firmly by Lumber. Dot balls at the other batter ensured that the required run rate continued to add up. Liam’s metronomic accuracy allowed the batters only to milk singles to the deep, the rate was soon getting away from the chasing team. Toby replaced Tyler only to be slogged away to cow for a maximum first ball. Not to worry, T made the adjustment, flighted the ball up and got the batter down the track to be stumped comfortably by Matt.

At this point Lumber was starting to find his stride, finding the long Queens boundary with ease. Despite this, Brett came back on for his third over with a gleam of hope in his eyes. A secret council with Barker at mid-on and an apparent “wobble seam” now in his locker led to back-to-back rising deliveries to start the over. Fans watching from the Barton Road end would have seen Brett’s grin and resolute nod as he moved to the top of his run out. Lumber had played at two and missed two. The pieces were in place. We all knew what was coming. It was time for The Cutter™.

The run up was smooth and fluid, the arm slightly higher than his stock ball, delivered from a few inches wider on the crease. His fingers expertly manipulated the seam, imparting revolutions at speeds few can achieve. The lure was cast, and the fish were hungry. Lumber took a step down the pitch, seeing the ball was there to be hit. A shock of fear across his face as the ball dipped early, then cut up and in with perfect precision. All he could do was try to work it through midwicket off the splice. 

Time stopped. The most dangerous player on the team had chipped one up for a sitter. The Jags followed the ball without concern - the celebrations had already begun in our heads. The fielder stood motionless. What was he doing? Brett dropped to his knees. The writing was on the wall. The ball was on the floor. Queens went silent.

“Oh you fu… Phillips”, said Liam. Defeat in his voice.

No other words were spoken, the ball returned to the bowler. Both the non-striker and the umpire gave an apologetic shake of the head as Brett passed them by, the gleam of hope replaced by a grim look of acceptance of the reality he is now forced to face. His next ball was pumped for 4. I hope he doesn’t hold grudges.

Savage was introduced following the conclusion of Liam’s spell, bowling without great pace, drew dots and singles from good balls. The occasional shorter ball was sent to the boundary by the opposition’s strong number 3. A particularly tight single to Dunny at point resulted in the next wicket for the jags. A good throw in gave Parrish enough time to whip the bails of to send beach’s number 4 packing.

Purton completed his spell from the far end to be replaced by our leg spinning sensation, Ben Sawyer. The initial grip and spin excited the fielders. As a few extras clocked up on the board, the batter reached wide of off stump, collecting a thin edge on the way into Matt’s welcoming gloves. This brought the new batter to the crease, an U15 from Histon, who our own Liam regularly coaches. His first ball was played respectfully back to the bowler, unfortunately Sawyer’s next ball was too hot to handle as the catch was taken by guess who in the covers. Liam offering no special treatment on that one.

Tyler changed ends to tidy up for his final 2 and took the off stump of Waterbeach’s strong keeper-batter sound 41. With the victory nailed down, the field tightened for the final few overs. Sawyer added a 3rd thanks to a comfortable catch by Toby at mid-on, demonstrating to the rest of the team how to do it when he is bowling. The lower order came in and played some risky shots, finishing the match with an aerial boundary over mid-off. The jags took the victory by a comfortable 40 runs.

The team retired to the Bull, where Ant came up trumps with a solid pizza order, earning forgiveness for the ball which he decided was not worthy of his fielding.

A beautiful evening ended with the Jags going 2 from 2 in the league, moving up to second in the table. Roll on the Sharks on Monday.