2010
St Cross vs SMMCC Wednesday 28th July 2010 (Southampton sports centre)
Team: Bennett, Emeka, Edwards, Hughes, Mehmood, Naik, Oakley, Paddock, Panicker, Raza, Turner
For anyone who has never played there, pitch number 5 at Southampton sports centre is high up on the eastern side and very “compact” which generally means that shots are either for 1, 4 or 6.
Having won the toss, St Cross elected to field first and we agreed to play 20/20 with the usual batting & bowling limits.
Raza and Mehmood got us off to a flying start with a brace of 25 retired followed by a similar no-nonsense 28 retired from Emeka and a clubbed 22 from me put us on 104 for 1 in the 9th over. Keith Edwards hit a steady 27 retired and Richard Paddock saw out the match scoring 23 not out with Tushar Naik, Jon Bennett & Edmund Hughes (not out) all making appearances at the crease.
Of particular note was Richard Paddock’s 6 off the last ball – that’s more like it! and the fact that we got through 4 balls (theirs not ours) lost in the undergrowth from our boundary hitting.
After their 20 overs Mariners had put an impressive 169 for 3 on the board giving St Cross a reasonable target of 8.5 runs per over.
Prasad Panicker and Simon Oakley opened the bowling and did a good job in keeping the run rate down and at the end of their allotted 4 overs each St Cross were on 33 for 2. Jon Bennett and Tushar “I’m not going to flight the ball” Naik followed and made the opponents work for their runs. St Cross never really looked comfortable and after their 20 overs had only mustered 109 – 6.
Panicker 4-1-9-2 Oakley 4-0-21-0 Bennett 4-0-37-0 Naik 4-0-16-1
Turner 2-0-11-1 Emeka 2-0-5-1
Of particular note was Emeka’s running out of their No.6 batsman who was lulled into attempting a second run – a direct hit from the boundary saw to that! Raza did a fantastic job behind the stumps and discovered that his arms were not quite long enough for a highly visible missed stumping (good effort though). Edmund Hughes caught a blinder at short mid off and Jon Bennett made some very athletic boundary stops with some swooping fielding and throwing.
Result: Won by 60 runs
And so it is that we must say au revoir to our friend Tushar Naik who leaves us again to return to Goa and then back to sea – We all wish you “fair winds and following seas” & look forward to your return when you take your Master’s ticket.
**Stop Press** OMCC fixture Wed 4th August cancelled – Next fixture Tangmere Sunday 3rd October 12:30 (bring your thermals)
The Tushar Naik Presentation Tankard (see below)
Winchester College vs SMCC Sunday 25th July 2010 at MEADS
Team: Turner, Raza, Emeka, Shimi, Panicker, Naik, Foster, Hughes, Gill, Prashant, Sinoy
Umpires: Bagshaw & Starkey
The Winchester college Meads grounds was a wonderful setting for a game of cricket and several of the team commented that it felt like playing in a film set for a Harry Potter film. The weather was good, the wicket dry and flat [with two or three green patches] and the generous outfield had not been cut for a week or two so slowed the ball up quite a bit. We were very pleased to welcome two guest players Shimi and Sinoy kindly recruited by Raza & Prasad respectively to fill gaps due to injuries.
The agreed format was a traditional unrestricted game starting at 14:15, tea from 16:30 to 17:00 and 20 overs from 18:00. We won the toss, elected to bat and Raza and Shimi started us off superbly with a 140 partnership. Undeterred by the longish boundaries and slow outfield, Raza pulled the trigger on his Newbery Thruxton bat and hit a convincing 78 (11 fours and a six) before holing out for 78 and Shimi went on to make a very stylish and confident 100 not out.
Edmund did a fine job in both scoring and educating two rather irritating young boys [that somehow latched on to him] as to how the scoreboard should be kept – fine display of patience!
Back at the crease and Emeka unfortunately appeared to misjudge the weight of his bat with the wicket keeper taking full advantage of this temporary loss of balance and removing the bails. With about half an hour to go until tea, I was given the perfect excuse to go “clubbing” and Prasad replaced our retired centurion, Shimi, to put on a quick fire 28 including six fours. James Foster & Tushar Naik kept things going nicely and by tea Winchester had bowled 37 tidy overs with Mariners putting 272 on the board for the loss of only 4 wickets.
Raza 78 Shimi 100 no Turner 41 Panicker 28 Foster 10 no
Tea at Winchester college is always a delightful experience with their selection of delicious sandwiches and homemade cakes and the “tea lady” certainly kept this tradition going. Everyone seemed to tuck in and I even spotted a bowler’s “doggy bag” being concealed back in our pavilion!
The occasion was made even more special with the presentation of an inscribed English pewter tankard to our friend Tushar Naik who will be heading back East to Goa in the next few days after two seasons with us. We all wish you well Tushar, look forward to seeing you again in future years and hope you look after your LNG carrier better than your bike keys and mobile phone!
Despite losing their first wicket in the first over, Winchester showed a stolid approach to our opening bowling attack of Emeka and Sinoy who saw off three batsmen for only 28 runs. It became apparent that Winchester felt that the win was out of reach so we changed the bowling and field accordingly. Tushar and Prashant softened them up and Tony Gill bowled their No.2 batsman who was their highest scorer with 57. Mariners’ persistence and will paid off, and with a well earned wicket from James Foster, the Winchester tail was exposed, but with 20 overs in the last hour it was a battle of wills – Winchester to block out for the draw and Mariners’ to graft them out.
Wicket keeper Raza passed the gloves to Prasad and began to apply the pressure from one end and Shimi took the final wicket from the other end with Winchester only a couple of overs short of drawing the match.
Emeka 6-0-16-1 Sinoy 6-1-15-2 Naik 3-0-13-0 Prashant 4-0-26-0 Gill 4-0-31-1
Foster 3-0-23-1 Shimi 3.4-1-11-1 Raza 3-0-11-0
Result: Won by 116 runs
Another fine performance with everyone getting into the game and a superb afternoon’s cricket had by all in a beautiful setting – finished off by blowing the froth of a couple at the Queen’s Head just up the road and helping Tushar christen his new tankard.
SMMCC v DSTL Portsdown Wed 14th July 2010 (Home) Otterbourne
Team: Turner, Salter, Banks, Gill, Emeka, Warren, Edwards, Raza, Mehmood, Hughes, Naik
Result: Won by 4 wickets
The prospect of heavy rain was never far away for this fixture but thankfully there was only the lightest of showers just as the teams were arriving at the ground. DSTL had a depleted team of only 8 and so elected to bat first having won the toss.
With the warm evening sun and a keen breeze the Mariners took to the field and opening bowlers Salter & Mehmood set about their tasks with the new ball. The first wicket fell with Mehmood’s second ball but DSTL stubbornly stood their ground and putting on 116 for 7 after the allotted 20 overs.
Tony Gill took a good catch off his own bowling and Ken “lightening” Warren stumped two DSTL batsmen off the skipper’s bowling.
SMMCC confidence is running high after some outstanding recent performances and there was a general feeling that we could afford to “reverse the batting order a bit” for this fixture despite the 5.85 run rate required. Mariners did the honorable thing and loaned 3 fielders and an umpire, as well as keeping two books going so had a logistical challenge in having the right people padded up at any time!
Gill & Hughes opened the innings with Ted Banks and Emeka (25no) following and after 10 overs Mariners had a respectable 62-2 on the board. Ken Warren added a useful 13, Keith Edwards and Tushar were uncharacteristically dismissed in single figures, Nick Salter scored an impressive 25 (no) and Mehmood (21) hammered a couple of sixes an fours to finish things off in the 17th. over. A confident team performance against a depleted but stout opposition but I am not convinced about reversing the order tactic!
A special mention must go to “Bertie” the little Jack Russell dog who is becoming our lucky mascot – keep bringing him Em. We all returned to our watering hole (The Otter) where we provided sandwiches and cake returning the hospitality DSTL provide for us each year at Portsdown.
Man of the match: Mehmood
David Turner
Swanmore CC vs SMMCS, Sunday 11th July 2010, Swanmore
Team: Turner, Salter, Warren, Naik, Ali, Panicker, Hughes, Raza, Emeka, Bell, Gill
Umpire: Starkey
Scorer: Prashant
The first of two Sunday games for this season was held on the most glorious day for cricket and played at the very picturesque ground at Swanmore. Prior to the game skipper Turner had informed the team that the club’s motto “In Omnia Paratus” means in all things ready and prepared. Today was to prove the wisdom of the motto!
Having lost the toss the opposition put the Mariners into bat on the artificial wicket (their skipper professing a weakened team and so wanting to ensure we got a good bat). Well the Mariners certainly did that! Having made a steady start with some 45 off 10 the openers, Emeka and Raza saw off the opposition’s new ball bowlers and then settled down to score freely off Swanmore’s second string attack. Fifties were posted by both openers who then proceeded to accelerate the run rate. In the end both openers achieved the notable milestone of becoming centurions, although Emeka when on 99 almost holed out in the deep! For Raza (100 not out) it reiterated what a class cricketer he is and a real asset to the team. For Emeka (100 not out – having borrowed the skipper’s lucky batting socks) it was a maiden century and was a notable achievement having had an unwelcome injury at the start of the season that saw him unable to play the first few games of the season. Both players were warmly applauded from the pavilion and having made their centuries retired not out.
After this the runs kept flowing. Whilst Turner went cheaply (how often does it happen that the batsman waiting for along time then fails!?) Panicker (33 no) and Naik (31 no) continued to help themselves on what was a placid wicket. The Mariners innings had been helped by a couple of difficult chances going down but having made 107 runs off 20 overs finished on 292 off 38! Quite a remarkable score and one that brought great pleasure to those team members sitting in the pavilion watching the batsmen go about their work.
So after a pleasant tea the Mariners set out to get the 10 wickets needed for victory, the game being a draw if we couldn’t. After the first few overs bowled it was evident that the opposition plan was to just bat out the overs. However, this match was to prove the case that patience is a virtue and that you must always try till the very end. After the first hour the opposition were only one wicket down. Both opening bowlers guest Ali (9-2-23-0) and Salter (7-1-17-1) bent their backs and tried to make a breakthrough with good accurate seam bowler. Salter also took a superb catch off his own bowling, diving to his right as he went left on his follow through. Indeed this effort set the tone for the team’s ground fielding which was excellent all round and supported the bowlers who had to make things happen on this wicket.
With 20 overs left to bat it looked like odds on a draw at this stage but the Mariners lead by captain Turner wanted to see a reward for the great batting display and so dug deep. Raza had chosen to crowd the bat and reinforce the off side field. Warren doing sturdy work behind the stumps was heard to question the tactics as Raza seemed to be choosing a leg side line of attack!? Obviously this was part of a master plan as Raza finally got the breathrough bowling the batsman around his legs. Two more wickets for Raza followed in successive overs, one bowled and a well taken catch by Turner. This proved to be the bridgehead needed to get the opposition on the backfoot and us thinking…..could we win the match? With the field brought in to close catching positions there was plenty of scope for the opposition to score boundaries. This was part of the tactic as we needed to tempt them to risk their wicket in seeking to take runs. It meant though the bowling figures took a bit of a hammering…..needs must as they say and the strategy soon began to pay dividends.
Turner changed the bowling and Gill (2-0-21-1) immediately got a wicket with Hughes taking a sharp catch at point – this inspired Gill as in his next over, having bowled a ball down leg, decided to demonstrate his break-dancing technique in front of the umpire much to the enjoyment of the onlooking crowd! Bell (3-0-20-0) and Naik (4-1-19-0) then toiled hard but the game again began to slip away but Turner (3-1-3-2) brought himself on and took an absolute blinding diving catch off his own bowling. This proved to be the turning point as the Swanmore tail was now exposed.
Panicker (2-1-16-1) was brought on and, importantly, bowled the last recognised middle order batsman who had been playing a few shots. The tension rose and with overs slipping away Swanmore were now trying to hang on. With one over remaining 8 wickets were down but Turner brought back Raza. Needing two wickets to win his first ball went for four down the ground but the next cleaned up the batsmen splaying the stumps.
The final Swanmore batsman trudged out looking like the condemned man. Not surprising really as at this point there were 9 men in close catching positions so he was made to feel very welcome! But he scampered a single off his first ball and then from the safety of the other end informed his partner that he wouldn’t be following up for a quick run – had we missed our chance? Three balls to go and after two dot balls in which the batsman had shown the bat maker’s name to the bowler the last ball arrived. Clean bowled! We had done it with Raza (9-1-33-5) ending as man of the match with a five for to go with his ton – remarkable game and the second game to go to the wire in 4 days, this time the result reflecting the collective will of the Mariners team.
SMMCS won by 128 runs
Man of the Match: Raza
Edmund Hughes
Hon. Sec.
Shirley CC vs SMMCS, Thurday 8th July 2010, Southampton Sports Centre
Team: Turner, Raza, Emeka, Warren, Hughes, Bennett, Naik, Panicker, Krishnan, Foster, Bell
Umpire: Bagshaw
Scorer: Prashant
What an exciting match this turned out to be with over 350 runs being scored off the 40 overs bowled and going to the last ball! Turner won the toss and chose to bat first which looked an eminently sensible decision as your correspondent surveyed the parched outfield and short boundaries. Openers, Raza and Emeka, soon got to work on the bowling attack both retiring not out having made 27 and 28 respectively. Turner (3) made a rare failure, playing around a straight ball to be given out LBW by umpire Bagshaw, but solid knocks by Panicker (21), Naik (28no) and Warren (25no) consolidated the good start and kept a very healthy run rate going with some hefty blows. Bennett (4), Krishna (6), Hughes (0) all perished seeking quick runs leaving Foster (0) and Bell (4) both not out at the end, Foster not having faced a ball! MM had made 177 for 5 off their 20 overs, by far the highest total (in recent memory) made by the team in the short form of the game.
Having been beaten at Otterbourne early in the season Shirley had demonstrated that they are a transformed team this season. We were confident though that we could defend the total but the reason we love this game is that it can turn up surprises and this is exactly what this game provided. Having seen Shirley’s openers start well and both retire not out (always a useful strategy in 20 over cricket to get two back in the hutch to come back in if needed), MM steadily worked through the opposition Raza (4-0-18-1) and Panicker (4-0-20-2) bowling well with Naik (4-0-20-4) the pick of the bunch again demonstrating his all round ability and contribution to the team this season. The bowlers were supported again by some diligent ground fielding, with well taken catches from Turner, Raza and Bennett who also suffered a nasty gash to his ankle in stopping runs.
Having got 8 wickets down the opposition’s openers re-entered the arena and immediately took a liking to the bowling. Still Shirley needed 36 runs off the last two overs with MM needing just the one wicket – the odds were still in the MM favour. Shirley’s opening bat though thought differently and proceeded to clear the boundary almost at will! Foster (3-0-49-1), Turner (3-0-40-1) and Bell (2-0-27-0) all taking some severe punishment leaving Shirley needing 2 runs off the last ball which the opening batsman (the man of the match) hit for four. Tough on the bowlers who on another day may have bowled a bit fuller. Saying that great credit must go to Shirley CC as 95 times out of 100 MM would have won this game but this was not one of those 95! As they say that’s cricket.
SMMCS lost by 1 wicket.
Edmund Hughes
Hon.Sec.
Match Report: The Vine Inn vs SMMCC Thurs 1st July 2010 (Bursledon)
Lost by 9 runs
The team: Turner (c), Salter (vc), Hinton, Warren, Naik, Bennett, Paddock, Panicker, Oakley, Bell, Gill.
Umpire: Bagshaw
The Vine Inn play on an “interesting” ground with an artificial strip and a sloping outfield which doubles as a football pitch in the winter. Their skipper briefed us on the dangers of the ball kicking up at us in the field unexpectedly and I think we still have memories of HMS Sultan last year and Tony’s nasty injury. The weather looked ok with cloud around and only the faintest of raindrops towards the end of the match.
Vine Inn won the toss and elected to bat, largely because their team had not all arrived by 18:00. Skippers had agreed the 20/20 format with usual batting and bowling rules and duly informed our smartly attired umpire who had summoned his wife to bring the team sweaters he had forgotten (not letting you get away with that one Ian!).
Nick Salter opened the bowling form the “short boundary” end which was just as well as he found several edges with his swing bowling which would undoubtedly have gone for 6 had he been bowling from the other end. Tushar Naik followed with his med/slow left arm bowling and Simon Oakley kept up the momentum with his slow and accurate stuff. The Vine Inn were not comfortable at the wicket and had scored only 59 off the first 10 overs maintaining this 5.9 run rate to the end.
Mariners’ fielding was first class with all catches taken, several good run out attempts and some sharp keeping from Ken Warren. Stephen Bell had an excellent spell taking 3 for 15 off his four overs and all 7 bowlers did their stuff in keeping the Vine pinned down to a final total of 117 for 9 after their 20 overs.
Salter 4-30-2 Naik 2-13-0 Oakley 4-12-1 Bell 4-15-3 Gill 2-20-0 Paddock 2-11-1 Prasad 2-7-2
So with a run rate of 5.85 we set about what should have been a comfortable and achievable target! Not so – Mariners lost their opening bat, guest player Rob Hinton quite early but Prasad and Tushar Naik held things up well going on to make their 28 and 26 no respectively and at the 10 over mark we were on target with 63 on the board. The second 10 overs saw a bit of a collapse with quite a few singles opportunities missed which we could ill afford.
Tony Gill connected with a large four towards the end but fell to a rather delayed stumping call from their keeper and given out by me. It was all too late anyway as we needed 9 to win off the last ball and so, although I think everyone got in the game as much as possible, we unfortunately lost a bit of a soft one with 109 for 8 after our 20 overs.
Prasad 28no Turner 11 Naik 26no R Paddock 10 Extras 12
All was not in vain though as the Vine laid on some baps, chips and sausage rolls at their pub (which is a lovely little place) and we all tucked in to these and some good beer!
David Turner
SSU staff vs SMMCC Wed 16th June 2010 at Hardmoor
Result: Lost by 30 runs
The skippers agreed the usual 20/20 rules of engagement and SSU won the toss electing to bat on the hard and dry wicket. Nick Salter had the new ball swinging around well both he and Raza kept the SSU batsmen guessing but SSU were definitely on a mission and ran every single they could and put us under pressure.
SMMCC responded well with some excellent fielding from Jon Bennett who stopped some outstanding shots into dot balls. Tushar Naik bowled his particular brand of left arm over and round the wicket and gave Ken some exercise behind the stumps!
Stephen Bell is developing into a useful addition to the bowling line up and did well to keep his head against a determined SSU attack. In addition to the good fielding work, Raza rocketed a ball in from the covers and ran out a rather cheeky attempt at two runs from their No.5 batsman – a better run out I have never seen! SSU ended their innings with 158 for 5.
Salter 4-1-23 Raza 4-1-26 Naik 4-0-21 Turner 4-2-38 Bell 4-0-31
In reply, SMMCC built a strong base and had made 72 after the first 10 overs. At 14 overs we were on 102 and it looked just possible but unfortunately the 10 runs per over required to win became impossible to reach and we ended with a respectable 128 for 4 on the board and a hard lesson in how to score [at least one run] off every ball.
Raza 26 rtd Emeka 16 Turner 25 rtd Naik 20
It was good to see our President George Gifford and Garry Bagshaw at the match and the team were wondering whether she was knitting a new hair shirt for Ian?!
As usual Mariners excelled themselves in sandwich and samosa eating afterwards [thank you for the hospitality SSU] and they certainly looked the part in their new sleeveless slipovers with team crest, colours and “Cachalot” logo on the back.
We hope we made our president proud.
David Turner
SMMCC vs St. Cross Wednesday 9th June 2010 at Otterbourne
Result: SMMCC won by 84 runs
Match Report: OMCC v MMCS at Southampton Sports Centre (SSC)
25th May 2010
Vice-Captain Salter was in charge for his first match in the absence of the Captain and unfortunately had 10 players only to muster. On a cloudy evening the captains agreed to play only 16 overs a side with the prospect of poor light hindering the team batting second. Having lost the toss we took to the field. Indeed a steady start by Panicker Snr. (0 wickets for 34 runs off 4 overs) and Salter (3-24-4) restricted the opposition to 53 off 7 overs. However, the no.4 pitch at SSC is a relatively small ground and any wayward bowling was punished as first change bowler Krishnan (0-40-2) found especially as he had great difficulty finding the right length either bowling too short or down the leg side. What with 16 wides (including a 5) and 6 no balls (also including a 5) the opposition were given an additional couple of overs to score from, to the extent that after 10 overs OMCC had made 98. Fine tight bowling especially by Naik (1-8-4) and well supported by Paddock (0-15-2) checked the run chase and in the end the OMCC score was restricted to a respectable 124.
Fortunately at the start of our innings the light had not deteriorated and in fact there was some sun breaking through the clouds. Requiring just under 8 an over Krishnan was asked to open the innings and started well before being bowled for 10 having hit a magnificent six over long on. His fellow opener Panicker Snr. took a while to get going and after some encouragement from the pavilion started to hit his straps retiring on 26 not out. Salter replaced Krishnan and after 6 overs MMCS were up with the run rate on 59 for 2, having seen Warren, who had earlier taken a catch at the wicket, be bowled by a straight one for 2. Salter playing a solid captains innings (25 retired not out) and Paddock then pushed the innings on, always keeping us in front of the run rate, and matching OMCC with 98 off 10 overs. Indeed Paddock is proving to be a sound all rounder hitting 25 retired not out including a six over extra cover. Runs slowed down a little as OMCC skipper brought himself on, and in trying to knock off the 20 odd runs needed Naik was bowled for 13 in the 14th over. Hughes (2 not out) was joined by Panicker Jnr. (5 not out) who demonstrated either great maturity or the impetuosity of youth by hitting a lovely 4 to deep mid wicket. Needing 2 off the final over the opposition tried to apply pressure by placing fielders all around the bat, however, their bowler generously bowled a wide with his first ball which went for four. Gill and Edwards did not bat.
MMCS won by 6 wickets
Team:
Salter (c), Krishnan, Panicker Snr., Panicker Jnr., Warren (wk), Paddock, Gill, Edwards, Naik, Hughes
Man of the match: Salter
Match Report: DSTL Portsdown vs SMMCC Thursday 20th May 2010
SMMCC vs. Swanmore at home (Otterbourne) Wednesday 12th May 2010
[SMMCC won by 45 runs]
It was another cloudy but fine evening at our new home ground with a much drier outfield than last week but the threat of rain showers never far away. It did not look as though we would get a full 20/20 but both skippers were happy to try and the usual 4 overs per bowler restriction and 25 and retire for the batsmen applied.
SMMCC v Shirley CC Home (Otterbourne) Wednesday 5th May 2010
- The parking and access via the side gate- especially with regard to carrying the team bag
- Collecting & returning the electronic key card from Mike O Brien at Hammonds jewellers (Shirley High St)
- Unlocking the pavilion with the keypad & unlocking the side gate & scorer’s hut with keys (under microwave)
- Setting out the boundary markers & collecting them up afterwards
- Making sure we have not left any stumps etc lying around or in the nets
- Closing up the scorebox
- Having shoes with no-spike capability in case we have to use the artificial wicket