Glenmore Cricket Club News story


Match Report: Taverners vs Worley Parsons June 7th

07 Jun 2013

Friday night was set for the second Taverners game of the season but there was always a threat of thunderstorms washing it out. As the equipment was arriving, Wasim Naqshbandi made the call to bat first — something that rarely happens with the Tavs as it seems that there's always an exciting run chase with the team. And with the usual Captain (Jon Smith) absent for the game, BJ grabbed the reins with some help from the team.

Opening up the batting was Wasim and BJ. Both were seeing the ball well against the opening bowlers from Worley Parsons, Wasim and Ashan. Wasim soon got into his stride, smacking the ball around for 2s and 4s, while BJ played the singles to get Wasim back on strike. It was a good run rate for the first few overs, getting to a total of 30 after four overs. Wasim retired not out with a quickfire 31 and made way for Shea to come in at 3 to continue the barrage. He started off extremely well with 2s and 4s again. There were a couple of moments when a possible run out might happen but fortunately for the batting side the fielders miss handled the ball. BJ was slowly working his total up and after realising he was on 13 after 8 overs tried to amp up the run rate a bit more. Surinder, the left arm spinner dropped BJ in what should have been a sure catch. After that BJ hit a few boundaries and soon retired on 31 not out as well.

Geordie Drew then made his first appearance of the season and stuck in there with Shea for six runs but was caught by Wasim. Ken Beaumont entered the fray but left early after notching 2 and was followed by Dave, who added an extra 4 runs. Shea retired with 31 not out and it was Ajay and Rajeev finished out the batting. Though there were thoughts of declaring late in the match to get the match over before the rain came, the rate was steadily rising and finished on a respectable 136, the exact score needed from the previous week.

Tavs took the field opening with Nabeel and Shahid. Nabeel had a great opening over only going for 1 run and Shahid following it up with just 3 conceded. Fortune favours the brave and putting Shahid on down the hill paid off with an early wicket…Dave taking a catch in the covers. Nabeel came on for the third over and was hit hard from the opening batsman but was showing superb line, a difference from the previous week. Shahid kept on with great bowling in the 4th over only giving up 3.

Dave Hope-Johnstone then took up the bowling from the Spy Hill end as he requested and was sitting on his hat-trick from last week. The team came in and tried to create some pressure but DHJ wasn't successful obtaining the hat-trick. But, he struck later in the over. Shea took a wonderful catch, the batsman having hit it well to short third man; Shea grabbed it without hesitation inches above the ground and made it look quite easy!

Rajeev put his arm into use getting an over from the low end to change up the pace of the bowling. It didn't quite work as well as planned but on his second over it improved dramatically. A great run out got Rajeev his wicket - a superb throw by Nabeel to skittle Randeep for only 3 runs. By the time Rajeev finished the 8th over Worley Parsons had a total of 50, a score that was behind the run rate but not enough for everyone to feel comfortable.

A moment of concern came with Dave bowling from the Spy Hill end when wicket-keeper Ajay Pawar had the ball deflect off his gloves and onto his cheek. He was visibly shaken for a few minutes but like the tough Taverner he is, he shook it off and made his way to cow corner where things would be less interesting.

When Wasim came on to bowl things changed dramatically. Wasim built the pressure up with dot balls and relieved it with two wickets! Ahsan and Stevan both went down, one caught by Dave when he was switched to slip and out ran Ken (who was now wicket-keeping), showing a deceivingly fast pace that belies his age. Dr. Ron then took a lovely catch at mid off.

Wasim could have had his third wicket of the match when bowling from the Stoney Trail low end. The batsman got a loud nick and was caught behind. Everyone celebrated the wicket only to be told by the umpire that it wasn't out. Incredulously, Taverners returned to their positions unwilling to let the biased umpire foil their plans of a victory! Though surely a present of MyZoomies (look it up!) is in the offing.

Usman then came in to bat and was turning up the pressure, seeing the ball well and scoring a very quick 22. He was stopped in his tracks thanks to some quick thinking from Ken behind the stumps. Ken, quickly collected the ball and threw to the bowling end, and with the batsman walking in hit the stumps right before the bat was grounded.

Nabeel came in towards the end and made up for last week with a great catch off his own bowling, throwing off the temptation to think too much he gracefully took the skied ball.

Dr. Ron finished up the bowling. His first over was a bit shaky but once he was warmed up he started showing his stuff and soon had a wicket. He had Geordie Drew to thank who took a great catch a long-on having had to back pedal as the ball sailed on aided by the wind. The final wicket fell when Ali nicked one from Dr Ron which was caught in the slips by BJ, who nonchalantly grabbed the ball above his head with two hands ending the game.

A great game by the Tavs. Well batted, Tavs built the score slowly (some slower than others!) and bowled superbly, only having 7 wides, and fielded admirably. 7 catches and 3 run outs! Everyone got their hat in the ring and all in all, it was a great atmosphere only sullied by the appalling myopic umpire whose heart had become so hardened as to be unwilling to be moved by a nick, appeals, and celebrations!