1st XI off to a winning start

A rain-delayed start to the 1st XI’s league season got underway when they were put in the field by Bushey. Opening bowler Saahil Mehra once again shot out of the gate with a solid spell of accurate and quick bowling. Opening partner Marcus Cara was in the mood as well, with the pair taking 3 of the first 4 Bushey wickets on the day. Despite a less-than-stellar effort in the field from Village, who put down multiple chances, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals throughout the Bushey innings, with the opposition number 5 the only bat to score 20 or above (with a top score of 32). Medium pacer Majid Asif decimated the middle order, removing number 5, 6 and 7 in his 8 over spell. In fine collective spirit, all of the Village bowlers picked up at least one wicket, with off-spinner Obaid Ur Rehman and god-knows-whater Anand Kumar both taking one each before Andy Potter finished off the tail with 2 for just 6 runs in 2.1 overs. Notable mention for James Thompson who in his first game behind the stumps for the 1st XI conceded just 1 bye – that too in the first over.
Opening bat Danny Potter – in his first game as 1s captain – led by example with a fine knock of 58, supported ably by brother Andy who sadly fell just 3 short of his own half-century, with the opening pair putting on more than 100 and giving the innings a fantastic platform to build on. In true Village style, however, events did not unfold quite as smoothly as planned with Andy Potter cruelly running out number 3 bat Devraj Ray, who fell 200 runs short of a magnificent double century. Wickets continued to fall with the next highest score after the openers a meager 15 from Asif. Needless to say, it was a welcome sight for all Village fans when the target of 165 was finally achieved for the loss of 6 wickets and victory was secured.
It promises to be an exciting season once again.

Devraj Ray