Not all heroes wear capes - some wear Cricket whites!

On a rather damp windy day Prasanth lost the toss on a belting wicket, even though there was some rain around the deck and outfeld played hard and fast. Nasser Shah took the new ball alongside Chandru. It quite quickly looked like a day for batting as the opening bat for Chips played some glorious straight and cover drives, sending Nass and Chandru to the boundary early on. Nass found the breakthrough in the 7th over with Chips being 37-1. Not long after Jack Lee joined the attack and was greeted by the no3 as he cut and pulled anything was short of a length. A sign of things to come for Ricky as the Chips batsman started to settle and pile on the runs. Prasanth was the next man into the attack and claimed the wicket of the opening batter but from this point on Chipperfied were well on top,

Callum and Ollie both had short but unproductive spells and Chipperfield reached 101-2 at 20 overs with Ricky slightly disheartened but in with a fighting chance on pitch that would suit a chase. Any hope that was alive was quickly taken away as the no3 and no4 bat for Chipperfield started to go bang, scoring 50 in the next 5 overs, this prompted Prasanth into bringing youngsters Ali and Viren into the attack both aware of the situation and high in confidence to be the ones to find the breakthrough. After the no3 reached his hundred Viren had him run past one that turned sharply and Graham did the rest of the work for him. Ricky at last had a reprieve, this was short lived as the onslaught continued despite Viren and Ali’s best efforts to reduce the scoring rates. Prasanth was the pick of the bowlers with 2-26 from 8 as Chipperfield continuously sent the ball to the ropes, finishing on a massive 264-5 in their 40 overs.

After a team pep-talk at Tea, Vishal and Graham took to their tasks strongly. Vishal was at his fluent best sending the pace bowlers frequently to the fence and Graham was there supporting him also hitting anything loose. This resulted in the 4s gradually gaining confidence and a real sense of belief that this total could be chased down,. Vishal reached his first 50 of the season before the drinks break with Graham on 40* as we reached drinks on 120-0. The platform was built. During the drinks break a downpour of rain ensued 4 overs were lost but umpire John W-H was on hand and quickly cleared any confusion of what procedures should take place. Ricky 4s new target was 239 to win from 36 overs. Another 120 in 16 overs was a quicker rate then the first 20!

The first wicket fell during the 22nd over as Graham passed his maiden 50 for the club. A monumental effort after keeping for 40 overs. Prasanth shuffled his pack and sent in Jack Lee to up the running speed between the wickets. Jack was quickly out and this wicket brought in powerhouse Nasser Shah, who did not waste any time scoring off every ball he faced. Vishal fell for a well made 72 but he had done his job and returned to form. Young Oliver Lightbourne was next in, the 4s superstar with the bat so far this season, he and Nass made a quick impact to the score before a mix up left Ollie run out for 8, Nass departed a mere few balls later but had scored 23 from 7 balls and really turned the game in Ricky's favour. 60 now required from 8 overs (44 balls).

The stage was set and Ricky needed a couple of heroes at the crease. Callum strode out to join Prasanth and the situation was clear. Callum runs whilst Prasanth plays the scoring shots. Starting with a 3 off the first ball the pair faced together, the tension was building for a dramatic finale. Callum struck a boundary off his 3rd ball he faced and decided that there was no point in holding back. At the end of the 29th over the score was 189-5 a further 51 required from 42 balls. Prasanth struggled to find the boundary as Chipperfield put all 9 fielders on the short boundaries. Callum played a glorious cover drive off the spinner and maybe glory was beckoning. Soon this dream became a reality as Callum cracked the spinner back over his head for a maximum and the scenes were unbelievable. Neil was heard screaming at every run was scored from Callums blade. With 4 overs to go, Callum and Prasanth scored 13 from it, shell-shocking the Chipperfield fielders. But When Prasanth fell in the 34th over for a well made 15, it was left to Callum alongside Chandru to finish the game.

10 required from 12 balls and the nerves were really building. Callum as senior player had to take charge. He ran down the wicket on the 2nd ball of the over and smashed the open bowler through the covers keeping the score below a run a ball. 5 in the Bank and 5 required in the last over. Chandru was calm, but Callum's blood was up and going for glory, the ball took a thick edge and bounced away behind square for 1.

The maths was now 4 from 4 required and Callum was at the wrong end. Chandru got bat on ball and ran as hard he could to make sure they got 2. Now 2 from 3 to win. Chandru again got bat on ball, dashed a quick single and the crazy Chipperfield fielder threw it at the base of the stumps and it ricocheted away enabling Callum and Chandru to steal another quick single to win the game. All that LMS training coming good for young Callum.

The win was secured amongst great celebrations on the pitch. Callum finishing on 31* from 20 balls, with Chandru finishing on a crucial 6*. An amazing game for so many reasons and one that will live on in the memories for years. Ricky are now 10 points off 2nd place. Can Prasanth’s 4th team carry on this spirit for the remaining 11 games? With heroes in the team like these, anything is possible.