Match Report
Nazeing Common at Nazeing Common Sunday June 28th
An entertaining afternoon’s cricket ended with both teams sharing the spoils, as Nazeing’s run-chase fell just short of Crusaders target of 162. With persistent drizzle falling from late morning through to start time, the pitch and outfield had endured a liberal soaking and after winning the toss and electing to bat first, openers Rehman and Channa found the going tough against the pace of Sturdy and the accuracy and turn of Quinn. Steady, if not spectacular progress, was made until Chand aimed an un-gamely heave at a ball from Quinn and was bowled. League Star Jagdesh lasted just one ball, opting to try and hit over the well set leg side field – contract negotiations could be tricky next season. Lucky and Wajih (36) perished to the persistent Sturdy and all of a sudden we were 58-4. In situations such as these, there is no better than The Rock to steer an ailing ship back on course. John was the perfect foil to another breezy knock from Shakil (44) and together they put on 53, before John was out LBW; his second favoured method of dismissal. Quick-fire contributions from the tail, with John Rana (14) and Harry (14*) pushed the score up to 162-9 at the declaration.
Defending a relatively low total, it was vital that we put Nazeing under pressure from the first ball and Riyad answered the call in emphatic style, clean bowling Achillea with the opening delivery of the innings. At the other end, Harry was varying his pace and getting some prodigious swing, which none of the upper echelon of Nazeing batsmen was able to counter. After a seven over spell he had returned figures of 3 for 8 and reduced Nazeing to 21-4 – contract negotiations far less tricky. When Spud removed the obdurate Rivers to a smart piece of work behind the stumps from Rana, to reduce Nazeing to 47-6 it appeared that Crusaders were well on top. Nazeing had other ideas.
A scenario similar to our recent visit to Hartfield began to unfold, with Sturdy and Barker initially rebuilding the innings and then accelerating the run rate to such an extent that it was Nazeing who looked more likely to win. Shakil’s experiment with spin and the final couple of overs in Spud’s spell proved expensive, with Nazeing comfortably keeping pace with the required run rate. Sturdy in particular was quick to latch on to anything short and Barker was happy to pass the strike to the more dominant partner. With most of Crusaders fielders defending the boundary, Nazeing resorted to scrambling singles and the occasional two in an effort to overhaul the target. Shakil reverted to his normal pace and Riyad was brought back for the final few overs, with the latter bowling particularly well. At the close Nazeing had reached 156, still 6 runs short, with Barker and Sturdy sharing an unbroken partnership of 86.
