Herewith the latest match report from Ken Warren, with my thanks to our deputy vice-captain for standing in on this occasion. (Maintaining our tradition of losing the toss!)

Match Report: SMMCC vs KERALA XI 05 JUNE

On a lovely pleasant warm evening in total contrast to last weeks rained off match SMMCC eventually played their first home match back at Hardmoor. The ground was a picture and a first class batting wicket.

KERALA won the toss and elected to bat in this 20 over game with SMMCCC captained by Ken Warren in the absence of Keith Edwards and Rob Hinton who both had work commitments.

Abbas Khan and Mehmood opened the bowling for SMMCC and at the end of their allotted four overs each KERALA were 45 for 1 with Mehmood clean bowling their opener with his first ball and finishing with 9-2-9-1 and Abbas Khan a respectable 4-1-24-0. A lovely spell of bowling as he did at Winchester a couple of weeks ago.

David Nevin making his SMMCC debut and Philip Puddilcombe came on as first change bowlers and finished with 4-0-30-0 and 2-0-9-1 respectively and Lalinda chipping in with 2-0-7-2

Bob Kinnear and James Foster were given the 'onerous' task of the two death bowlers to bowl the final four overs with KERALA on 95-4. KERALA added 47 runs in the last four overs losing four wickets, three in James Fosters first over, as the opposition 'went for broke'! Bob finished with 2-0-30-0 and James 2-0-15-4.

KERALA finished on a respectable 140-8 and leaving SMMCC a 7 runs per over run rate.

David Nevin opened the batting with Mehmood and got SMMCC off to a good start before Mahmood was brilliantly caught at square leg for 10. Lalinda then joined David Nevin and put on a 40 run stand before both batsmen retired on 27 and 28 respectively and SMMCC well placed at 62-2 after 8 overs.

SMMCC stayed with the required run rate throughout the game, with James Foster hitting two fours in his 8. Javed Munir hitting a glorious 6 in his 10.

Philip Puddicombe and Bob Kinnear then saw the Mariners home with 18 and 19 not out respectively to win by 4 wickets with 5 balls to spare.

Good game won by SMMCC by 4 wickets.

My thanks again, congratulations to David on debut and well done to all for a sound team performance!!

Next game AWAY to St Cross at Sports Centre 1800 hours Wednesday 12 JUNE.

KDE

Captain

SMMCC