Sunday 21 July 2024
SCCC 220-7 (35 overs)
Crondall 125-8 (35 overs)
Surrey Cryptics won by 95 runs
35 over match
Crondall won the toss
Scorecard
Richard Seeckts writes:
Crondall in July, the only opposition who can regularly beat us on age range but results at this bucolic setting (12 wins to one in our favour with one draw and one tie) encourage the continued evolution of the Cryptics. Thus, 15-year-old Rory Goss made his debut and immediately upstaged his father and older brother with a dream spell of 7-5-3-2, bowling immaculate line and length to match that of Banstead’s opening bowlers the previous week. Three Gosses playing simultaneously needed a collective noun; putsch and rally were mooted, reflecting the convalescing matriarch’s current way of addressing her clan. Whatever, they are thought to be the fifth family to field three members in one game after the Roses, Grindrods, Milners and Hogbens. Nephew /uncle connections discounted.
The day’s other debutant was kiwi Suras Lala, a stylish right-handed opening bat who held two decent catches and voluntarily went to the bar, changing the Cryptics’ general perception of our sheep-shearing cousins. Suras became the latest to watch from the non-striker’s end as Pippa slapped a long hop to cover, not before our prolific veteran had clicked his career tally past 7600 runs. Yep, we are counting in hundreds, not thousands these days.
Pup, revelling in a top order chance, swished and swiped merrily as befits a man confident that both umpires owe him favours. He succumbed to the deadly straight one delivered when he had 24, five fewer than Suras’ more classical knock. Hugs blasted his way to double figures for the second time this year, while young Pranay played thoughtfully for a cultured eight, a radically different approach to the shot-a-ball method prescribed by ECB employees and used last year. He later bowled with equal maturity for a tidy 3-26 of his seven overs. Seeckts swatted a quick 15 before the fun really started at 116-6 after 22 overs.
Wade Ridgway (2 previous caps, 7 runs) was joined by Andy Rayner (3 previous caps, 104 runs, mostly at Holybourne) in a sprightly partnership of 38 off six overs applying Bazball theory that the more golf you play, the better your cricket becomes. (This theory takes no account of Crondall’s change bowlers when compared to Australia’s and India’s but “hey lads, just go out there and entertain for two days then we can all get back to the golf we prefer”.)
Andy fell for 14 to be replaced by Scottie at No.9 on account of his selection as a bowler for the day. He took to it like a duck to Hugh’s cricket bag, biffing 38* and, now averaging more at No.9 than any other position, has made the place his own. Wade, on 48 as the penultimate ball was bowled, took a single which became two with an overthrow, requiring him to retire under Crondall rules and leaving the last ball to Archie Goss who disdainfully missed it.
They must have thought PAJA was bringing Rod for tea, so extensive was the spread of carbs and sugar. Five a day in cake form, no wonder our hosts chose to bat second.
Sharp eyed readers will have spotted twelve Cryptics already named, necessitating speed dating Cryptic style, eight fielders aged 64 to 15 having a short spell with the watching webmistress. No injuries reported.
Meanwhile, Crondall’s chase unravelled serenely, except when the the opener’s runner got bored, made a ridiculous call and plodded off for a sit down before coming in at the fall of the second wicket. Daddy Goss bowled, then Archie Goss, then Rory Goss. (Guess who was skipper – ED). Then Pranay and Andy followed by one rogue over from Seeckts which ended when the eighth ball was (justifiably) called wide in mid flight, only for the batsman to take two strides toward square leg and pat it to a fielder. Relief all round. All wickets, including the run out were taken by schoolboys, undoubtedly a Cryptic first. Rory’s success was partly attributable to not expecting help from butterfingered fielders, making a sharp return catch for one and hitting the stumps for t’other. Scottie was not asked to bowl.
Not the most competitive game but variety of fixtures offers reward and experience for those at either end of their careers on both sides, and a pleasant social in the shadow of a Norman church whose bell tolls persuasively before evensong. Pup was overcome with emotion in the pub upon meeting the vicar’s husband fresh from church who, almost 40 years ago, was his dormitory prefect. Still saying his prayers.
Jingle Bells.
