Hayes 3’s – Fabulous Baker boy cooks up a storm against OD CUACO

Captain Couldrey was jetting off to sunny Spain but had time before his flight to knock up a spectacular tea, including a stunning cheese board. With Couldrey on chef duty his ever-capable stand in Matt Warne was in charge as the 3^rd XI took on OD CUACO on the Meadow. The game saw the return of Kiran Bridges formerly of Hayes CC. Kiran saw success with ODs against Hayes’ Development XI and was looking to do the double. Warnie won the toss and with ODs only having 10 players at the start of the game elected to bat on a flat pitch on a warm day.

Adam Greenway returned to the side to partner Warne at the top of the innings and the innings started steadily. Greenway hitting an early 6 and seemed to have the bit between his teeth. Warne picked up from where he left off against Beckenham showing positive intent. The opening bowlers were replaced and the two change bowlers tightened things up and stemmed the flow of runs. Enoch Pasamolla bowled steady medium pace that was hard to get away, but it was Aswin Nair who got the first breakthrough, drawing a false shot from Greenway who was caught for 23 (46) leaving Hayes 62-1. Warne benefited from a life, a moment to forget for Bridges who dropped him at cover with the batter already removing his gloves and walking off the pitch when the ball went down, looked set to make his half century as he and Pulkit added runs aplenty. But a strategic field change forced Warne to change his shot selection and a top edged slog sweep looped up to Bridges, who snaffled the catch with ease.

Verma was joined by Thistleton at the crease who it is fair to say was energised and ready to bat having not got the chance last week. Pulkit continued to work the ball around accumulating runs whilst Thistleton struggled to convert his enthusiasm to runs. His stay at the crease was bought to a close by another good ball from Nair. Former Winchester College all rounder Sam Humphreys came out to bat next, and he batted with uncharacteristic positivity to keep the scoreboard ticking over and he was somewhat unfortunate to be caught by the bowler in his follow through having got a leading edge. The score upon his dismissal was 141-4 and with 32 overs gone there was some concern in the Hayes’ ranks that the total would be well below par for The Meadow. Pulkit was joined by Ronnie Buddin and in the process of their partnership,Verma passed 50 for the second time this season. Verma finished on 63 being run out in the penultimate over trying to push the score on. Buddin spooned Tom Lake to mid on the next ball and Hayes went into the 39^th 180-6. Kumar was run out on the penultimate ball and Hayes finished the 1^st innings 183-7 knowing that a good bowling performance would be needed with a somewhat below par score on the board.

After a top tea, the new ball was taken by Raghav Kumar and Luca Baker, Baker bowling up the hill which has become his new role in recent weeks. The bowling was incredibly tight with miserly figures ‘Naughty’ Tom Davis would be proud of and with both bowlers probing away Baker was rewarded with the first wicket of the innings, bringing one back through the gate to bowl Bridges 2 (18). Wickets often like London buses come in pairs and in his next over Baker struck again dismissing the other opener and ODs were 12-2 off 8 overs. The openers spells came to an end and if ODs were hoping for some respite, they were sorely disappointed as Silva and Hadley replaced Kumar and Baker. There was much debate as to when Hadley had last bowled both 1^st change and down the hill, he seemed to think 2018 was the answer. However, the older ball and change of end did nothing to dent his skill execution and he was soon reward with the wicket of Nair, bowling him with a delivery that moved just enough to deceive the batter. This brought Lake to the crease and he and Anmol Pasamolla started to stabilise the OD’s innings. Lake batted with skill and patience calling well and looking to accumulate runs whilst eliminating needless risk. Silva broke their partnership bowling Pasamolla for 26 (36).

Lake was partnered by Paul Hunter and they continued the rebuilding effort keeping the score ticking. With the score on 88, having left the ball well and defended stoutly Lake finally erred with Silva drawing the edge and giving Millard a regulation caught behind stood up to the stumps, the catch being Millard’s 250^th for Hayes, the most of anyway at Hayes (since Play-Cricket records have been in by the club).

After that dismissal, the game seemed to be petering to a conclusion without much drama. Then up stepped Luca Baker with other ideas, coming back up the hill, bowling to the OD’s captain Brown, Baker bowled one wide outside off stump, drew a top edge which was snaffled by Millard, the very next ball Baker speared a delivery in bowling Pasamolla, E. Hat trick ball, attacking field set Baker readying himself at the end of his mark. Baker ran in, ball outside off, Harrison Modeste prodded forward, the ball taking the outside edge carrying through to Millard who held the catch, big appeal and Modeste walked off, Baker completing his first Hayes CC hat trick and 5fer. Continuing the all action over the next ball to Hider was edged along the ground for 4 beating Hadley at 3^rd slip. Not content with five Baker bowled Hider with the last ball of the over. Raghav Kumar who had also come back on, bowled really well and was unlucky to go wicketless all innings. Baker fired up took the final wicket and his 7^th with the first ball of the next over. Baker finished with 7-25 the 6^th best bowling figures in the 3^rd XI since Hayes Play Cricket records began.No pressos, so it is again left to me to announce the Player of the Match. Before the last few overs, the PotM was a foregone conclusion with Pulkit Verma scoring 63 (74) but Luca Baker aka Schwamo! had other ideas taking 7/25 and snatching the accolade from Verma. In celebration of his fine accomplishment, it would be amiss of me to not mention that Baker is a recording artist, and his news single Dove is available on iTunes, Soundcloud, Amazon Music and Spotify big up Schwamo!

Next week the 3^rd XI travel to Old Colfeians knowing that if they win their last 3 games it will guarantee them the league title.

Notable Performances:

H(K)CC:

1. Verma 63 (47)
2. Baker 7.1-3-25-7

ODCCC:

1. Lake 32 (40) and 9-0-39-1
2. Nair 9-1-36-3, 1 catch and a run out.