Hayes 3’s – You say Ti I say No Ti-no

Couldrey matches the weather to bring the heat to London Knights

Captain Couldrey was feeling fragile in the week, so he handed the reigns back to Matt Warne, whilst he donned the metaphorical white coat (no club blazer) for Hayes and watching on as Matt won the toss, and on a hot day, elected to bat.

Warne got off to a watchful start, some may say the innings resembled a game of Pac-Man as a large quantity of dots were gobbled up. Bradshaw at the other end was scoring more fluidly plundering five boundaries before being dismissed for 22 (18), bowled by a good delivery from Kunal Singh. The same bowler produced a jaffa to dismiss Rohan Kumar 3 (7) and with ‘Knights’ ringing out for the team huddle LKCCs will have felt they were on top in the early stages. Warnie’s time at the crease was ended shortly later and he was removed for 1 (28) leaving Hayes 38-3.

Pulkit Verma was joined at the crease by Joel Couldrey and they had a steady 34 run partnership helping Hayes build a platform before Verma charged down the track clipping one of his legs and being caught sharply by Kunal Singh off the bowling of Gaurav Dua.

Adam Greenway fresh from a trip to Le Touquet joined Couldrey at the crease and they both scored freely and rotated the strike well. Couldrey scored two massive 6s over long on during his innings. Having scored 50, put 89 on with Greenway, Couldrey was looking to kick on. He was adjudged to have been run out on 57 (73). Shortly after Greenway was also adjudged to be run out 42 (57).

Wilkie and Millard were at the crease together hoping to recreate their partnership against Bromley Common, Millard rashly attempted a ramp shot with fine leg in the ring and was adjudged to have been caught behind 8 (10). Wilkie continued his fine form with the bat 18 (9) and Ronnie Buddin scored 5* to leave Hayes 198-8 off 40 overs.

London Knights started their reply well. A close call for caught behind was turned down off the bowling of Johnny White, who struck a few overs later knocking over Rajan Captain for 26 (21). Rohan Kumar bowled a tight spell, and he got the next breakthrough getting one to clip the inside edge, going between the batsman and bat down the legside being smartly taken by the keeper. After a consultation between the umpires, they were happy there had been an edge and Murthy had to go for 11 (19) leaving Knights 76-2. Never one to be kept out of the game for long ‘Naughty’ Tom Davis produced a snorter that forced the Knight’s number 4 Ghatge 0 (6) to over balance and Millard behind the sticks pounced whipping the bails off for a sharp stumping.

Joel Couldrey had fielded all game like a demon and his hard work and determination paid off when he snaffled a catch off a fired-up Johnny Wilkie. Shortly after passing 50, and breaking his bat handle in the process, NT picked up a second wicket that off Ghatge, with Kumar taking the catch 56 (91). Much like London buses London Knight wickets came in clusters and Johnny Wilkie pinned Bilaal Hassan on the back leg plumb in front of all 3 and was out lbw for 0 (6). London Knights’ captain and keeper combined, they knocked the ball around well but struggled to find boundaries, they did however run well and maintain healthy strike rates.

As the game looked like it was going to ebb back into the Knight favour captain Shah was run out with some good work from Greenway, LKCC 179-7.. Captain Warne deciding after consultation with his senior players that pace off the ball was the right option, and brought himself on, he managed to dislodge the dangerous Siwach for 47 (42) balls having bowled what he would describe as a vicious bouncer that Siwach looped back to him for a simple caught and bowled chance. In between the run out and catch there had been another opportunity to create a team hat trick, but a chance went down, the offending fielder’s name has been redacted to spare their blushes. Warnie has often said he enjoys bowling to left handers and this showed when he got his revenge on Ahmed snicking him off first ball. If only that other chances had been taken Warnie could have had a hat trick too…

Big games require big game players and with 2 overs required at one end and pace off the desired option, Warne turned to Joel Couldrey who showed all his skill in putting the Knight batters under pressure and this pressure told when he knocked over Kunal Singh in the last over leaving Knights 16 runs short in what had been a tightly fought contest.

No ‘Pressos’ again so it is up to me to decide the Player of the Match, White, Kumar and Davis all bowled tightly and picked up wickets. Palande held the top order together to build a good platform for London Knights and Siwach and Greenway produced good 40s for their respective team when the chips were down. But one player shone with the bat scoring a strong 57, fielded exceptionally, setting the tone, showing the younger players how it was done and when needed bowled with control and calmness of thought to guide Hayes home. Well done Joel Couldrey.

Next week the Hayes 3^rd XI travel to New Ifield Cricket Club to take on Bexleyheath, regular reads will remember the last meeting was a run fest on the Meadow and hopefully next weeks game will be equally exciting.

Notable Performances:

H(K)CC:

1. Coludrey 57 (73) 1 catch and 1.4-0-12-1
2. Greenway 42 (57) and 1 run out

LKCC:

1. Palande 56 (91)
2. Siwach 47 (42) and 2 catches