13 year old Raunak stars in draw at Watton

Sometimes the result of a game takes second place to something significant in a match. A hundred runs, or an 8 wicket haul. The match at Weston certainly won't be remembered for the massive 670 runs scored by both teams for the loss of just 10 wickets. Nor maybe even for the magnificent tea provided by the hosts. Or the dropped catch by the skipper that enabled Clarke to go on and score 104. Instead, it will be remembered as the first time in living memory that a 13 year old has scored a half-century for Rickmansworth in a League game. And not just any Ricky team, but the 2nd XI playing against Watton 1st XI who were top of the table.

The young man in question is Raunak Khanduja, and I have personally known Raunak since he was 7 years old. That he had a talent was always there to see, but it needed nurturing and coaching and encouraging. Ronnie, as he likes to be known, also loves Cricket, and that helps too. Over the last 7 years Ronnie has taken part in lots of Colts matches, sometimes winning them on his own. He has played hard-ball from a young age, and 2 years ago he was a key part of the U13B team who, under the coaching of Ben Soames, won the County Cup Final. At the time he was only 11. Since then Ronnie has been given Area honours, and this year he received his first County Cap, representing Hertfordshire. Is there more to come from this young man - you bet. Those of us privileged to play on Saturday witnessed a true talent on display and I hope his inspiration will enable Ricky to do the best we can in the coming years. Go Ronnie.

Now the backdrop to all this was a game at Watton where they won the toss and batted on an absolute road. Ricky somehow managed to nick 3 batsmen out but numbers 4 and 5 gave only one chance on their way to a century each, and a partnership of 173. At one point the buffet bowling of Anaru, Raz and Paul went for 94 runs in 8 overs, and finally the declaration came, probably about 60 runs too late. Ricky had 2 players observing Ramadan and 2 lads under 16. 334 was not a reasonable target to chase, despite the 55 overs available. It would need Buttler and Stokes at their best, whereas Ricky actually had Boycott Blackwell and Matt '4th team' Atkins going in early.

Ajay Thaker started well with 3 boundaries in the first over, but he holed out before 4 overs were completed. Matt's sojourn in the 2nd team lasted just a few balls before the rapid Clarke removed his middle stump. Raz and Kammy departed for a combined 21 runs, and Ricky were 52/4 with almost 40 overs left to go. The Ricky target had now been set at 200 (maximum batting points) when Anaru Siva, 16 years old, came to the crease. But he weathered the storm and grew increasingly in confidence, putting on 44 with Blackwell, before getting out for 19. 104 runs were still required when Raunak came to the crease. His first league 2nd XI match. The quick bowler was brought back, and Watton prepared for a victory charge. However Ronnie had other ideas, and with studious defence, and steady pushes into the covers for 2's, he slowly built up a score. Paul at the other end kept punishing the bad balls, and the bowlers got more frustrated. Raunak hit some great boundaries and 140 came and went (2 batting points secured). The quick bowler came back and tried some chin music on the 13 year old, but Ronnie hit him for a couple of 4's and off he went again.

Eventually Ricky's 200 came up with another Blackwell boundary, and soon afterwards he was given out LBW for a well-crafted 86 and a partnership of 108 that literally saved the day. Dave Cooper smashed 4 boundaries of his own as the Watton bowlers were deflated, and in the meantime, off the last over, Ronnie pushed the ball into the onside for a quick single that brought up his maiden 50. The acclaim from all around the ground was amazing to see. A standing ovation from players and spectators was a fitting tribute.

And so the result bwas a hard-fought draw. Proving that you don't have to lose, just because you are faced with adversity. And Youth isn't the future.... it is here and now. Take a bow, Raunak. Many more to come.