Finally cricket is back! Despite early morning rain the 2020 season began on 19 July 2020 for the Exiles with a 6 wicket defeat at Streatham & Marlborough.
On being put into bat, an early onslaught from Shahid Iqbal (39), a typically steady 65 from Keith Roberts, and contributions from debutant Carl Thomas – in his first cricket match since 1981 – with 38 and Simon Gundry with 35 not out steered the Exiles to 220 for 7 – which felt competitive.
However it wasn’t. After an early strike from Naren, the Streatham second wicket put on 185 in not much more than 20 overs with some fine ball striking against rusty Exiles bowling. 3 late wickets from the Roberts boys showed the Exiles what might have been had the partnership been broken earlier, but the damage had been done – Streatham home with over 10 overs to spare.
Fixtures are being hastily rearranged but at time of writing next fixture looks to be Agricola at Chiswick in a fortnight.