BCCC v Putney May 22nd 35 Overs
BCCC 293 - 6 Putney 203 Won by 90 runs
BCCC - 293-6 : Putney - 203
3rd win of the season vs Putney on an overcast but warm day at Barnes Common.
Lost the toss again and Barnes were put in to bat. The pitch was a belter of a wicket as it produced 496 runs in 70 overs!!! What a change from the last 3 games. Can only get better after the heavy rolling next week !!
Reliable Keith and Nick D, our very own suave opening bat who doesn't go anywhere without his customary Rolex watch even whilst batting or fielding, opened the innings. Keith was not so reliable today as he retired hurt (hopefully not trying to preserve his average again). Anthony and Nick went after the bowling and got us to 54 in 6 overs. Nick got 23 before being out caught. Sanjay and Anthony put on another 20 before Sanjay did his captain's bit and holed out to point for 10, always having at the back of his mind that the others should get a bat too !!! Anthony carried on to score a quick 30 in 14 balls. Suraj came in at 5 also scoring a quick fire 19 before the two main acts of the day met in the middle, namely Nikhil and Big new look Phil. Some mind-boggling cricket shots by both, putting on over 153 runs for the 7th wicket partnership. I think no one will argue that both have made the No 6 and 7 spots their own. Phil played and moved like a man possessed taking quick singles and at one stage even managed to run two runs .. Yes we do like this new Phil. The best I have seen him play for a good few years and if he carries on batting like he did today he will definitely need to be moved up the batting order. Phil ended up with 61. Nikhil's batting was exemplary today and he scored 116 with 10 sixes in only 34 scoring shots. A real treat to watch and an inspiration to the less gifted of us of what is possible with a bit of technique and true grit. Great batting effort by all. Barnes well done.
Putney's opener Alex played some cracking shots to score 75 or so runs before Nick D finally got his revenge thanks to Keith taking a blinder of a catch off his bowling, diving full length in front of him with a fractured thumb to boot. A few others chipped in to get the team to 203 in 35 overs. Our bowling besides Graeme's opening spell and Anthony's short burst was not as sharp as it has been over the past few weeks - again too many runs and extras (23) being given away. Wickets were shared between Adi -2 , Graeme , Wally , Joe , Nick D , Nikhil and Sanjay getting 1 apiece.
BCCC are away next weekend on tour to Shropshire. Hope the tour goes well.
Man of the match - Nikhil for his 116 not out with 10 sixes.
Catch of the match - Keith
Come on the rest of BCCC. We can't let Keith and Nikhil hog all the honours every match!!!