54 Average But Still No. 2

A Match Report by Brad Williams

Captain Sameer Patel lost the toss and North Enfield elected to bat.
Sameer and Anuj got the game underway, Sameer downhill and Anuj bowling beautifully up the slope. Sameer struck first, clean bowling the oppo's skipper Andrew Chrysanthou just a couple of deliveries after he had been run out by Mark Bateman from midwicket, although the umpire clearly thought the crease line extended to the middle of the wicket!!
With the score at 10-1 after eight overs Sameer removed himself from the attack bringing on Brad Williams who promptly doubled N.E.'s total with a long hop hit for six and a wide half voley struck for four. Brad settled in, and along with Nuj bowled steadily without taking a wicket between them. Anuj finished his excellent spell of 8-2-21-0 with the score on 54-1 and John Nelson was brought on. Sameer took a catch at extra cover off John's full toss which started a serious collapse of N.E.'s batting order. John having then taken care of the dangerous Jones with another full toss hit straight at Dave Fitzgerald who clung on to a good catch above head height - two catches now on the catch of the season list - John then cleaned up S. Gandy (who had scored a quickfire 90 the previuos day) first ball. Hat trick delivery... wide of off stump but well bowled.
Terry Bateman replaced Brad at the top end, later to be fined £2 for not wearing his NEW MHCC shirt and using "Dulux" on his cricket boots, something he got considerable stick for - Matt, gloss, brilliant white and lovely finish were among the quips used during TB's first over which included an impressivly quick long hop which was smacked straight down Mark's throat at mid wicket.
John bowled beautifully to become the second bowler already this season to pick up a "Michelle". TB finished with three and Sameer, coming back to finish off the innings 23 balls early finished with two wickets.
North Enfield - 97 all out.
In the absence of Rohan Patel , Ken Mottram, last weeks number 11 was promoted to open with Mark Bateman. Ken made just 5, caught behind, bringing Brad Williams to the crease. 36 runs later Mark was adjudged lbw and Lee Stevens clipped his sixth ball to midwicket. Brad was next out caught at gully, suprised by one that bounced a bit and guest Steve Graham was caught pulling a long hop to mid wicket. Myddelton were 67-5. Fitzy and Arthur Brown, now at the crease looked solid although not too threatning, before Fitzy lofted one to extra cover. This brought "Mr. Average" to the crease with 27 runs needed with 13 overs left. Arthur was eventually caught for seven and Anuj joined Sameer at the wicket - telling Sameer that he had four balls to win the game so Nuj would win the sweep on the number of balls it would take to win the game - After a short discussion, or should i say negotiation Sameer apparently settled for 50% of Nuj's profits. He swung wildly and missed the next two deliveries from Gary Orton who, through injury, left the field and Moxham came on to complete the over. Average man greeted him with a straight six over mid off first ball and promptly tried to re-negotiate his share - no joy, so he patted the next two balls down before, unable to resist, he smashed the next and last delivery of the match over the deep mid wicket boundary, over the fence, over the trees...
Myddelton won comfortably by 3 wickets.
John Nelson was named as Man of the Match.

Muppett of the day?

Sameer (Mr. Average) walked into the changing room after the match, walked straight up to Brad and said " say hello to the best average in the club". Brad looked up and asked Sameer how many runs he had scored so far this season, Sameer replied 54, once out. He may have felt a bit silly when he was informed that the clubs leading average was sitting in front of him!! To make matters worse, after the same game at NE last year, Sameer, glowing after his 30 something not out had raised his average to something in the high 50's he again asked Brad to comment.... same answer!!

Result: MHCC won by 3 wickets

Individual Performances;

Bowling: Sameer 6.1-0-15-2, Anuj 8-2-21-0, Brad 8-2-26-0, John 8-2-19-5, Terry 7-3-12-3

Betting; Ken 5, Mark 24, Brad 37, Lee 0, Steve Graham (guest) 1, Fitzy 0, Arthur 7, Sameer 20*, Anuj 0*

Catches; Mark 2, Fitzy, Arthur, Sameer, John, Arthur, Steve Graham.