Rickmansworth IV vs Boxmoor III

Result – Rickmansworth 4th XI – 187-9 drew with Boxmoor 165-6

A somewhat frustrating game of cricket played in dreadful conditions up at Ricky School. After winning the toss and batting first, Ricky made good progress and were well set at 148-5 with 10 overs to go and two batsman well set at the crease. However, some on the spot bowling from Boxmoor and the tendency to smash good shots straight to fielders saw us fall a little way short of the 200+ total I had hoped for.

The Ricky attack (which would be much better suited to a natural surface) toiled a little, but the decision of Vishal Kapoor to switch to off spin from medium pace paid dividends and he started to take regular wickets as well as keeping the scoring rate down.

With 10 overs to go and needing just over 6 per over with 5 wickets remaining, the game looked all set for an exciting finish, however rather strangely Boxmoor decided to block out, eventually finishing 22 short of their target. Their tactics leave me believing that they have very little left in the way of batting. Had we held another catch or 2, or got some fairer decisions, who knows what might have been.

In the end 16 points is not a bad return, however the 3 teams ahead of us all won, so there is more ground to make up. The next 2 fixtures against the 1st and 2nd place teams respectively, will give us a good idea of where we are and what are prospects are for the remainder of the season.

Performance Analysis

Stuart Squires – A day to forget with bat, perishing early to a ball I should have kept out.

Ajay Thakur – Batted majestically to reach his maiden half century for the club. Reliable tight bowling when we were going for a few at the other end.

Sachin Kumar – Threw the bat at everything and ended up being bowled after two big sixes. Will be more effective down the order. Kept wicket adequately after Rory left early.

Mehool Raja – Very rusty with bat – did not get a chance to bowl but will come on for the experience.

Asim Butt – A pleasing return to action at Ricky – scoring 42 patient runs and bowling well on a surface that didn’t suit. Intelligent cricketer and another good addition to the pool of players at 3rd / 4th XI standard at the club.

Harsha Hariaharan – Looked set with the bat before holing out. Bowled well without reward on a surface that offered no assistance.

Vishal Kapoor – (MOM) Nice cameo innings hitting some lusty blows – bowled really well when switching to off-spin and got a 5-for.

Nassah Shah – In as a late replacement (so thankful for that) – helped the scoreboard tick over at the end without any real fireworks. Bowled 4 decent overs at the end and nearly took a wicket.

Rory Cusack – Batted with correct attitude at the end and kept well but left with 20 overs to go, so should not have made himself available if not able to complete game.

Neil Raithatha – Added a few at the end (and to be fair is better than a number 10). Bowled well and only other bowler to get a wicket.

Phil Croft – DNB – An off day for Phil. Struggled with the high winds and the artificial surface. Is much, much better than we saw today.