1stXI Match Report: The Mote v Beckenham
On a day when the recent hot, humid spell was due to be interrupted by thunderstorms, the Beckenham scorer was looking forward to the return to the beautiful Mote Park, scene of so many campaigns over the years. After a chat with groundsman Micky Back, an old friend of many years standing, it was off to meet colleague Rob Howard, surrounded by electronic equipment in front of the delightfully-refurbished Tabernacle. The toss was completed and Beckenham were in the field.
Mote openers Phil Apps and Tom Harvey got the innings off to a sound start with the early signs that the track would be a typical Mote track, hard and true. The score stood at 32 when Junaid Nadir got one through Mote skipper Apps’ defences to disturb timber and send the ex-Royal Engineer on his way. Mote overseas pro Dylan De Villiers joined Harvey and the pair added 31 before Johan Malcolm, replacing Mahfuzul Mahi, had Harvey smartly held by Saad Khan. Enter Matt Fanning to replace Nadir and, after his cruel bad luck last week, struck second ball to remove De Villiers to a fine catch by Gethin Roberts. Ruffell and Chris Back then combined in a 32-run stand before Fanning struck again, Ruffell edging to Malcolm. Then came the promised rain and proceedings were halted for nearly 90 minutes with the overs reduced to 42. Back and Lewis Bedwell were quickly under way with crisp strokeplay and strong running and sharing a fifty partnership before Bedwell fell to the left-arm spin of Ishan Sabharwal for 26. Back continued to push the score along on his way to a fine fifty from 69 balls and was shortly afterwards brilliantly run out by Saad Khan for 63 which ended an attacking stand of 46 with Fergie Conway. With the overs ticking away, the spin combination of Malcolm and Khan took further wickets as the Mote closed on 214 with DLS calculating the target as 213. Malcolm, Fanning and Khan all took two wickets each with the Beckenham fielding showing some improvement from last week.
With the weather looking fair for Beckenham’s innings (despite Rob Howard’s weather forecaster predicting further rain!). Gething Roberts and Alex Senn strode out to face the Mote openers Conway and Sadler. On this track, the target would appear to be eminently within range with a batting lineup missing James Fear. But, Gentle Reader, this is Beckenham we’re talking about and with only 13 on the board, Roberts yet again flicked airily at a ball outside off-stump to offer a regulation catch to Chris Back. Senn followed soon after to Conway, having already dispatched an aerial leg-side shot for four, repeated the shot which ballooned into the safe hands of Luksitch who didn’t have to move. Now should have been the cue for Rob Howard to play a burst of “Here I go again” on his excellent sound system which he employed to entertain the spectators and to make announcements, as both Saad Khan and Johan Malcolm surrendered their wickets to simple catches making the score an abysmal 27-4. Dependable Mahi dug in and was given some bright support by Archie Holman who then unfortunately took the wrong option to be bowled by Luksitch. Ross Piller duly gave up his wicket but then the tail started to wag as Junaid Nadir joined Mahi and the pair put on 36 before Luksitch claimed Mahi for a dogged 28. Nadir soon followed to the same bowler before keeper James Balmforth started to give the innings some solidity and he found a willing ally in Matt Fanning. Showing admirably solid technique and shot selection, the doughty pair took the score past the hundred and were well on the way to reaching the recalculated score for maximum batting points when Fanning’s splendid support role was ended by Mote skipper Apps. Balmforth continued for a while longer as the last wicket fell on 152 being magnificently defiant on 33.
This had been a totally frustrating and disappointing batting display by Beckenham with seven batters tamely giving up their wickets on a totally blameless and good track. The question that has to be asked is how so many batters can bat as if it’s the second week in April and not mid-summer. Answers on a postcard please for immediate introduction. Nevertheless, the Beckenham scorer had hugely enjoyed the entertainment and company provided by colleague Rob as well as the reminiscing over a drink with Micky Back afterwards.
Scorecard: https://beckenham.play-cricket.com/website/results/5619472 (external site)