2's slump to first defeat of the season

On a high after a fine performance against Redbourn last week, we faced North Mymms 3's at home. Once again the skipper won the toss and as usual we fielded first. Ali Javed returned from the 1st team to form our usual opening pair and Ali struck in his first over, trapping Ahmed Malik LBW. The other opener, Ian Cheeseman, was playing shots and scoring freely, though was fortunate to just clear Saurabh Singh in the covers and the score progressed to 27 before Darshan struck twice in the 8th over, with Zaf taking two catches to reduce North Mymms to 27/3. Darshan got his third wicket, bowling Kyran Millard (4) with one that kept low (41/4) with all going to plan at this point. Sanket Shah and Murtuza Amin then both bowled tight spells with North Mymms rebuilding their innings and a period of stalemate ensued until Sanket took a fine diving catch from Josh Asher (9), leaving Mymms on 76 for 5 from 29 overs. Shortly afterwards the captain spilt a flat drive from Cheeseman which he lost sight of in the trees, which would prove costly. Cheeseman and Mark Hassall put together a solid partnership which took the score to 142 until Cheeseman was finally caught at long on by Lee Crocker for 88. The Mymms score ended on 149 for 9 in their 50 overs.

Kath's fine tea was dispatched and Zaf Basit and Lee Crocker opened the Village response. Zaf didn't last long, nicking a ball which seamed away to the keeper in the first over, bring Kudzai Makopa to the crease. Crocker and Kudz then tucked into the Mymms attack, the score rapidly progressing to 39 before Kudz played round a ball which drifted down the slope to be bowled for 23. Saurabh Singh joined Crocker and the pair pushed the score along nicely until Saurabh (8) chipped one to cover (61/3). Lee Crocker (27) was unlucky to play on without adding to the score and Darshan followed 3 balls later, nicking behind to give Akif Afzaal his second wicket (63/5). Sanket Shah bashed a 4 then danced around in the crease in an attempt to put the bowler off but only managed to sky a catch to point (69/6). Dave Flavell then joined in the disaster, mistaking a call for a second run from Anand Kumar for a call for a second run, which was rapidly reversed when Anand actually looked at the fielder and reversed the call, leaving the captain stranded (69/7). Anand and Murtuza Amin then tried to restore the innings, until Anand (18) was unlucky to be caught behind down the leg side (84/8). Murtuza and Ali Javed resisted stubbornly and the score crept into 3 figures until Murtuza was caught at deep mid off for a valuable 6 runs, during which the score had moved from 69 to 102/9. Pryank Patel and Ali continued the resistance and the score progressed, with Ali dispatching any loose balls and Pryank (7*) defending solidly until Ali was caught at point for 26 to end the Village innings on 130, 20 runs short of an improbable victory.

After an excellent performance the previous week against Redbourn, this defeat was a worrying return to the fragile batting shown in the first game of the season. Our bowling was good, with the openers making inroads and the change bowlers tying down the batsmen. The North Mymms opener rode his luck a couple of times, but showed great patience and the value of batting 50 overs cannot be overestimated, as we only managed to bat for 34 overs in reply. We need to value our wickets when batting, as we have no problem with scoring at a decent pace, but we do have a problem with running out of wickets. The tail end batted well and showed what can be achieved by simply occupying the crease and waiting for the inevitable bad ball, with the last 3 wickets producing 61 runs and gaining two batting points. Let's hope that this was a temporary blip rather than an inherent weakness in our batting....

Mill Hill Village 2's 11 points, North Mymms 3's 30 points.

Next up Cockfosters 3's away at Old Minchendenians.