Bedouins v Austin’s Army – Wednesday 31 July
Bedouins win by 10 wickets
The last Wednesday in July ended with a very hot evening at home against Austin’s Army.
The team was a strong one this week, with Martyn Smith coming in at the 11th hour after Fellows had unfortunately had work commitments.
The toss was lost by the skipper, and Austin couldn’t get the words ‘we’ll bat’ out of his mouth fast enough, as it was picture perfect conditions for batting, and by the first looks of Austin’s 11, it looked as though a big first innings score could be on the cards. How wrong we were…
When the first ball was clipped through mid-wicket, it looked like a long night, however the wickets soon started to come. Opening bowlers Bastable and Robertson got things going, with Bastable finishing with 1 wicket for 23 off his 3 overs, but Micky Robbo was pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets for just 9 runs off his 4 overs.
It was great to see Ex-skipper Bywater back in the side, however not so much for Robbo. With a chance for a fantastic hat-trick and the field closing in, the new batsman half volleyed a dolly straight to short mid-off where Lee shelled one of the easiest chances you’ll ever see. Head in hands for 11 Bedouins! There was a half excuse for a bump ball, but it was flush off the bat in my opinion, and should have seen Lee at the bar at the end of the game with his wallet open!
Wickets continued to tumble, with Lee himself picking up 1 wicket for 14 runs and Martyn Smith picking up 3 wickets for 5 runs off just 9 balls. Some fantastic bowling, fielding and catching all round. It ended after just 11 overs with Austin’s Army scoring just 52 runs.
N. Smith and Lippitt opened up the batting and after seeing off some fierce opening bowling, saw the Bedouins over the line without losing a wicket within 11 overs.
As usual, a good game against Austin’s guys, on what was a very pleasant evening at Enville.