Stragglers of Asia v Adastrians 21st August 2016 – Vine Lane, Uxbridge

Result: Lost by 4 wickets

Match Report:

Stragglers won the toss and chose to bat on a dry, slow-looking pitch that promised to spin later in the day. Joe Cavanagh and Asif Padhani batted patiently against the opening bowlers, who struggled to get much life out the pitch, putting on 79 for the first wicket. Asif and Ed Downer (c) fell LBW to Balamurugan in quick succession, bringing Dan Brodie (c) to join Cavanagh. They shared a century partnership, with Cavanagh becoming increasingly fluent, ending with 110*. Brodie fell for 35 chasing quick runs towards the end of the innings, and Stragglers ended on 195/3 off our 40 overs.

The extra pace on the ball from opening bowlers Alex Stewart (c) and Lucas McConnell (g) meant that, despite bowling a generally tight line and length, the Adastrians openers had an easier time against the new ball, with the outfield also having quickened over the day. However, the introduction of spinners Tom Calder and Leo Nelson-Jones (g) pegged them back, with both showing the ability to spin the ball sharply and also to slide it on, threatening on both edges. Calder picked up the first 3 wickets, and both were unlucky not to get further reward. Fred Cross (g), Padhani and Brodie all toiled away gamely, but none could quite land the telling blow, as opening batsman Andrews (91*), like Cavanagh, carried his bat to win the match for the Adastrians in the penultimate over

Overall, a close, enjoyable game that left Stragglers to rue missing a few difficult chances that on another day may have turned the game in our direction.

Team Batting First: Stragglers of Asia

Team Batting Second: Adastrians