Back to winning ways

After a defeat last week, Rickmansworth were keen to get back on a winning streak. Captain Ken won the toss and chose to bat first. Darshan and Anuj opened the batting getting off to a slow start. Then Darshan was caught at first slip and was gone for 5 runs. In came Prashanth at no. 3 who got off to a quick start until he was also caught at first slip having scored a quick 12. In at no. 4 came Neil and this is when the run rate really started to drop. After batting for 7 overs Neil struggled to get of the mark and was bowled for a duck. Anuj then settled down and had to play the anchor role. In at no.5 Bilal got of to a great start, scoring quick runs and started building a partnership with Anuj. Unfortunately, Anuj was bowled scoring 36 a good batting performance by him. In at 6 was Yusuf, he got of to a quick start getting off the mark with a boundary. Yusuf and Bilal built another good partnership until sadly Yusuf got bowled for 17. In at 7 was Hanuman who took a leg stump card, but strangely was bowled around his legs for a golden duck. At this point Ricky were 123/6 off 32 overs. They needed help. In came Nassar at 8 and it was back to business as usual. Giving the ball a right good beating for 4s and 6s all around to he ground. Bilal also joining in on the fun and together they got a great partnership off 80 the last 8 overs. Nas was caught on the boundary and was gone for 45 and Bilal finished on 67 not out. It was an amazing knock by the youngster. Giving Ricky a final score off 204 to defend.

Ricky decided to change it up a bit when it came to bowling. Captain Ken opened the bowling - no one knew what to expect, but it was certainly a suprise for the opposition. Ken in his first over, got his first league wicket thanks to a great catch taken by Callum at point. On came Hanuman and bowled a good first over. Although being encouraged by his team, captain Ken didn’t want to ball a second over, finishing his spell 1-4, and was replaced by Nassar, who kept the bowling tight, but was unable to get a break through from his 5 overs. Finishing on 0-15. From the other end Hanuman continued bowing well. Finishing his spell 1-18 from 5 overs. Anuj came on to replace Nassar. At this point Ricky were desperate for a wicket, and Anuj delivered getting the 2nd opening batsman LBW. Anuj the took out anther dangerous batsman, thanks to ah amazing catch in the deep taken by Nassar. Anuj ended his spell 2-26 of 5 overs. From the other end, Prasanth replaced Hanuman. He kept the bowling tight but was unable to pick up a wicket. Finishing his spell 0-23 of 5 overs. Bilal came on to replace Prasanth. He got of to a good start. Callum came on the other end to replace Anuj. 3 wickets in his first over. A great stumping by Neil B, bowled and a good catch from Anuj. The pressure was on. Bilal came back on and in his 4th over got a wicket. An unbelievable catch take by Nassar again (the Ricky field were stunned - Nassar taking two catches!) this time running backwards. On the other end Callum took another wicket in his 5th over, once again it was another backwards running catch taken by Nassar, he was in good form. Bilal then finished the game off taken the last wicket caught and bowled. Callum finished on 4-12 of 6 overs and Bilal finished on 2-28 of 6.5 overs. It was a great win for Ricky. Wining by 3 wickets and 63 runs.

There was a few candidates for man of the match. Anuj for his anchor role trying to hold the top order together and 2-26. Callum for his 4-12. Nassar for his 45 and 3 unbelievable catches in the field. But ultimately there was on one player deserving of man of the match, Bilal for his 67 not out and 2-28.

That is now 5 wins for the 4s, they continue to do well and team spirits remain high.