Bedouins v Kinlet at Kinlet – Sunday, 12 July 2015

Bedouins won 4 wickets

In the grounds of the magnificent Moffats Boarding School at Kinlet, sheep safely graze in the field adjacent to the cricket ground.  It’s a field that doubles as a parking area for those fortunate enough to be engaged in cricket there.  Not privy to the ways of cricket crowds, the sheep are inclined to wander around behind the bowler’s arm, but there’s little that can be done about that.

However, when they get too close to the skipper’s car, in an attempt to get out of the fresh north-west wind that is inclined to blow across the ground, something has to be done.  And something was done to move them on when they came too close on a fine but windy Sunday afternoon in July.  It almost looked as if they had a “sheepish” grin on their faces as they moved on!

But enough of this somewhat wordy meandering.  Down to the game itself.

This was the day when the Bedouins showed what they are really capable of.  It was the most complete performance from a Bedouin team for ages.  To get tight, accurate bowling, sharp and incisive fielding, and well-paced batting all in one place at one time is unusual in the annals of Bedouins cricket.  But that’s what happened here.

As always, it was a pleasure to be spending time in the company of another team of cricketers who like to play the game the same way as the Beds.  Matches against Kinlet are always occasions to be relished.

Bedouins won the toss and, much to the chairman’s evident displeasure (what does he know, silly old fool?), chose to field first.  It turned out to be a good decision.  The Beds opening attack was on top form.  Krishna Balthu produced one of the best spells of hostile opening bowling that many of us could remember.  And at the other end, Spratters was in equally accurate mode.

In the first ten overs, the home side could muster only 24 for the loss of three wickets, all taken by Balthu and including two fine slip catches by John Branch, the second particularly memorable just inches above the ground, to remove a dangerous Kinlet batsman.  The knees may be going, skipper, but the reactions are still pretty sharp.

The remaining Bedouin bowlers all did well, with Lee Bywater the most successful (3 for 23), backed up by Adrian Susman (1 for 20) and Nick Slym (1 for 32).  The latter at last got his radar tuned in correctly, completing his last three overs without bowling one wide.  More of the same, please Nick!  Spratters, who had pulled up complaining of having strained a muscle that he never even knew he had, finished with 1 for 25.

Chasing a moderate 40-over total of 134 for 9, the Beds sent out a 110-year-old opening pair.  With plenty of time to get the runs, they could pace themselves, waiting for the occasional bad ball.  The scorebook shows how successfully they did this, with their opening stand of 76 being comprised totally of boundaries or singles.  Skipper JB made 41 and Jon Stanier 35.  They weren’t parted until the 18th over, and, after that, it was fairly plain sailing.

Krishna Balthu rounded off a good day with 21, including two sixes, and Jono Hill, making a welcome return to Bedouins colours, made it look as if he’d never been away, with a quick 15 that included a trademark six over extra cover off the back foot.  Tony Hancock (10 not out) and Adrian Susman (9 not out) hit the winning runs, with four boundaries between them, and the Beds won with a total of 138 for 6 and best part of 10 overs to spare.

Along the way, Kinlet majordomo (look it up, like I did) Francis Engleheart took the MCC Cricket Coaching Manual too literally – “when fielding, always keep your eye on the ball” – when stopping a Jono shot with his forehead.  It was a worrying moment, but he was up quite quickly and, although he trudged off to the dressing room, he thankfully put in an appearance later at the Eagle & Serpent, looking none the worse for wear  He it is the Beds thank for arranging another highly entertaining day at Kinlet.

Kinlet 134 for 9 (Balthu 3 for 20; Bywater 3 for 23; Spratley 1 for 25; Susman 1 for 20; Slym 1 for 32)

Bedouins 138 for 6 (Branch 41; Stanier 35; Balthu 21; Hill 15)