Match Report - Thames Ditton vs 1xi (Cup) - By M Dizzle

Tea at Thames Ditton "Better than last year" - Ed











HWRCC 165 - Nomaan 51
Thames Ditton Nelson HWRCC 1xi wins by 54 runs

Fire In Babylon is a new film on general release in the coming weeks that charts the rise of the feared 1980s West Indian team. Led by the best batsman in the world (with a great name) and a bowling attack second only to The Wick 1XI from 2006 (Foddy Met, Webbo, Kam, Zam, Cole, Ewen and Barrell), they destroyed all before them with aggression, class and spirit. Therefore seeing a 6-4 West Indian overseas warming up his bowling arm isn’t my idea of fun – perhaps that’s why Shri and Vish swanned off to get some food when they should have been warming up before the match.

‘Hes our new overseas – that lad there’
‘Which one?’
‘The tall fella’
‘Ah yes.’
‘He landed yesterday, we’ve not seen him before. We’ll see how he goes’
‘Indeed......Tails!’
‘Heads it is, we’ll bat!’
‘Welcome to the Fullers mate’

Ali and Bonay against his old team started up with a flurry of boundaries and wides. Almost about 20 wides in fact, all in the first 4 overs! On this evidence, the Thames Ditton overseas will need to have a net to get some legs in him. No doubt he will come good, but not on Saturday. A rollicking (no, I didn’t say B*llocking) start left the Wick at about 70-1 from 10 overs, with Bonay ‘arming’ onto the stumps once the scoreboard had progressed nicely. Ali meanwhile had decided on attack - Sir Viv style. 51 runs later (He can’t have faced more than 35 balls) he was gone but not without a grin to challenge Greg Rusedski. ‘On that track, we’ve already got enough runs’. A bit generous I think, but if the track was playing up, then the loss of Rashid, Raza and Day in quick succession was in part to be expected (Raza missed a full toss – had to get that in there).

Davies emerged and immediately hit it off with the pitch. Sunday red ink ton in 2010 had left good memories, and 21 off 10 balls (all genuine shots) was a good return. Naveendra and Vish used up some time but the scoring stagnated and the run rate fell to a paultry run-a-ball (how times have changed). Enter the Tong. Ably supported by Shri’s deadbat and Zamm's swinging blade (they didn’t all bat together – it was two partnerships), the score moved on the 165 which we felt was a below par but winnable total on a difficult surface.

Tea was fine with a variety of sandwiches (better than last year according to Bonay) and sweet things to keep Imran’s tongue wagging. 7/10.

Shri and Tong opened up, with Shri a little wasteful whilst Tong hit his straps. Wickets started to fall after a few early boundaries and we were soon into a fragile middle order. Li’s introduction saw a sustained spell of top drawer swing bowling and at the other end Tong found some rhythm of old and was hooping it around like Woo Powell (check the stats), claiming 3 superb wickets in the process. Daisy (Laisy) fancied a trundle....and I wish I could trundle like that. His short spell got a wicket and when Vish removed the gritty opener with a classic nibbler, we were well in control – 165 looking way off. Zamm's introduction coincided with a shower which livened up proceedings and the run rate became in issue, both teams frantically trying to remember their numbers. The Wick was ahead, but there wasn’t much in it, and with a few hitters in the locker TD were threatening.

It wasn’t to be however as the decision to stick with Tughral paid off and a catch on the boundary saw the last hope of TD fall, with pace returning in gloomy light and a wicket you wouldn’t write home about, 110 was a fair reflection on both teams 2nd innings performance.

MOM – Tong. 3 excellent early wickets (bowled) and a match winning innings that gave the impetus to the Wick. Special mention to Nomaan also for runs and a quality spell with the ball. In conclusion, much to improve on but a good performance against a team relegated from the division above last year.