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form would have indicated a probable win for Burridge. As usual a team was
picked on the Tuesday but as the week went on players fell by the wayside
eventually exhausting the pot of reserves. Sadly the team only totalled 9 as
it arrived in Winchester. There was a great spirit and the pitch and outfield
was also in Burridge's favour, a slow and soft wicket with a lush outfield.
Winning the toss, Burridge chose to bat and utilise generations of experience
at the top of the order. Jeff either mis judged the field or his own speed
but set off for a run that Dave knew was destined to fail. Jeff was run out.
Pete and Dave then took the score to 62 off 26 before more confusion too many
yes's and nos and Dave was run out. The run rate seemed very slow but Dave
assured me 120 would be a good score. Unfortunately the rest were done by the
speed of the wicket and a few rash shots and the 9 were out for 92. The team
still had a steely resolve but perhaps felt with only 9 the task was beyond
them. Taking wickets and attacking was the only option. Immi started with a
couple of maidens and Alex stoked the fires with two wickets in his first
over, including a one handed lunging catch from the skipper at short mid
wicket. Immi then bowled his name sake N Niazi, only later to find out they
both hailed from the same Afghan village! Levi toiled away without success
but ever growing in confidence. Alex picked up two more before the father and
son Spearings put up some resistance before a White Candy Naizi combination
took the next three wickets and then Immi claimed the last the two,
culminating with a catch from Pete who hurled the ball to the heavens with a
shout of delight. You had to be there but Burridge left the field with a
spring in the step which defied the average age of the team. |