Club Statistics
Match Summary: vs. Whalers, Sunday, 15 Jun 2014
Ground: Dundonald Rec Ground
Captain: John Tither
Match type: 35 overs
Toss: Whalers elected to bowl
Weather: Overcast
Opposition: Whalers scored: 150 for 8 (35 overs)
Exiles Score: 190 for 7 (35 overs)
Result: Won by 40 runs
Man of the match: Will Kent 70 not out

Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chris Plume | ct. | 22 | 18 | 5 | 0 |
2 | Will Kent (W) | not out | 70 | 99 | 8 | 0 |
3 | John Tither (C) | ct. | 11 | 27 | 1 | 0 |
4 | Jasper Searle | b. | 24 | 30 | 4 | 0 |
5 | Barry Whiteman | ct. | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
6 | Marc Simpson | b. | 13 | 16 | 1 | 0 |
7 | Andrew Wingfield | b. | 17 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
8 | Marcin Zieleniewski | run out | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
9 | Ammar Akhtar | not out | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
10 | Simon Gundry | dnb | ||||
11 | Steve Parkinson | dnb | ||||
Extra(s) 2nb 15w 3b 4lb | 24 | |||||
190 | 208 |
Bowler | O | M | R | W | Avg | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Andrew Wingfield | 7.0 | 1 | 24 | 2 | 12 |
2 | Ammar Akhtar | 4.0 | 1 | 27 | 1 | 27 |
3 | Simon Gundry | 7.0 | 1 | 20 | 1 | 20 |
4 | Marcin Zieleniewski | 6.0 | 1 | 26 | 0 | 0 |
5 | Chris Plume | 4.0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 19 |
6 | Steve Parkinson | 7.0 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 11 |
Player | Catch | Run Out | Stumping | Penalty |
---|---|---|---|---|
Andrew Wingfield | 1 | |||
Marcin Zieleniewski | 1 | |||
John Tither | 1 | |||
Ammar Akhtar | 1 | |||
Chris Plume | 1 | |||
Will Kent (W) | 1 |
Exiles picked up their third win of the season with a 40 run victory over Whalers. In keeping with recent weeks’ theme, Exiles batted first again – despite the toss being lost – and another decent team batting effort saw a competitive 190 for 7 posted off the slightly-reduced 35 over allocation. And despite a few nervy moments, the Exiles had enough strength-in-depth in their bowling department to hold their opposition to 150 for 8.
The in-form Chris Plume got the Exiles off to a flyer with 5 quick boundaries before falling to a decent catch at short-cover, for a Trescothick-esque 22 off 18. Will Kent and captain John Tither consolidated, but just as John was looking to be getting his eye in he hit a full toss straight to mid-on to frustratedly depart.
After talking-the-talk in this fixture last season it was then time for Jasper Searle to walk-the-walk with a non-defensive innings and he replied with a typically fraught 24 off 30 balls with some lovely clean hits before departing bowled, leaving the Exiles 114 for 3 in the 23rd over.
Barry Whiteman made a welcome return to the Exiles at no 5, but didn’t last long, introducing Marc Simpson to the crease. Marc however soon pulled a thigh muscle and relied on a runner in the form of the ever-enthusiastic Chris. Surprisingly there were no signs of a run-out amongst the Exiles three - perhaps the skipper might consider using a runner himself when batting with Will next time following recent experiences?
With the ever-urgent need to increase the tempo, Marc fell on the slog bringing Andy Wingfield – on 200th appearance for the club – to the crease and a couple of golf swings later, with maybe even the hint of some tennis as well, a quick-fire 17 had been added. Marcin Zieleniewski and Ammar Akthar still had time to smite a boundary each as Simon Gundry relegated himself down the batting order as the duties of being tea-maker seemed to encapsulate the mind of the domestically-enthusiastic all-rounder.
At the other end Will had moved serenely past fifty and finished on 70 not out off 99 deliveries – doing a fine job of anchoring the innings - with all the shenanigans taking place at the other end. The innings closed on a probably-slightly-above-par 190 for 7.
Simon fell short of offering customer feedback forms but looked on extremely keenly as the players devoured his tea offerings with the Exiles looking to fortify themselves ahead of the task ahead in the field.
And it seemed to work as the Whalers innings got off to the worst possible start as the opening batsman gently edged behind Andy’s first delivery to give keeper Will a straightforward catch. Ammar – who’d bowled beautifully last week without reward – was soon celebrating this week however as the other opener cut loosely to Marcin who held on well at point.
Just as the Exiles scented blood, the Whalers no's 3 and 4 valiantly got their side back in the game with a partnership of 72 – the no 3 Terrell in particular hitting some superb shots before Simon – who after providing pies off the pitch had started providing them on it – soon went through the gears, bowling Terrell for 44 with a fine off-cutter, 74 for 3. Marcin – typically fiercely harsh on himself if ever the delivery wasn’t perfect – bowled steadily without reward, but Chris picked up a wicket as the Whalers no 5 tried to hoik across the line in attempt to keep up with the ever-demanding required rate.
The no 4 – Gould – remained however, and was looking increasingly dangerous and had taken his side to 125 for 4 with not much less than 10 overs to go when there followed the match-deciding phase of play as first the no 6 was run-out thanks to Captain John’s fine throw from long-on (and Andy’s near fumble behind the stumps at the bowlers end!), then Gould departed – unluckily for 49 – with a sweetly-timed pick up off his pads off Andy saw the ball arrow – perfectly for the fielding side – straight to Chris on the square-leg boundary, who held on to a well-judged catch. Unfortunate for the batsmen, but key for the Exiles, who had started to squeeze the run-rate well.
Steve Parkinson – a gentle Merv Hughes if you will – then picked up his first two Exiles wickets with a very decent spell at the other end – and in fact wasn’t far from a hat-trick, before the Whalers stubbornly batted out the last few overs as Andy and then Simon failed to bowl straight enough. The game had been well won by this stage however.
It should be noted at this point that the Exiles attack coped very well with the absence of Phil Ling from this fixture. The rumour-mill was in over-time as to the reasons for this absence - with words such as Brighton, Twitter, riding and Rachel Stevens all mentioned in dispatches.
A competitive game throughout and a decent win for the Exiles. Will Kent rightly picks up the Exiles man-of-the-match award, but this was a real team effort – with all bowlers and virtually all batsmen contributing to the win. Even Marcin wasn’t grumbling at the end. Much.
Report By: Andrew Wingfield
Interview with Man of the Match: Will Kent
On 15 June 2014, Exiles keeper-batsman Will Kent scored 70 not out - his fifth Exiles half-century - and in-so-doing picked-up the man-of-the-match award as Exiles completed a 40 run win. The Exiles website caught up with Will for a few words:
Will, very well played! You must've been delighted with your second half-century of the season?
Yeah it’s good to record a second this season but I am more pleased we won. I was a bit dirty with myself for not connecting with a few late on and would’ve been more so if we’d lost in the last over.
Have you scored many fifties in your cricketing career - they seem to be coming along pretty regularly in an Exiles shirt at the moment!?
In my last full season back home (1999/2000) I had a bit of breakout season scoring a few, and moving up the grades, but prior to that I was the Australian Andy Wingfield; I lost count of how many times I scored 49. If I’d been in the middle a while and had just got out I’d walk back past the scorer and sarcastically ask “49?”
You've moved around the Exiles batting order a lot since you started playing for the club - what role do you prefer?
I’ve moved around the batting line up my whole illustrious cricketing career so nothing new. I started my career in the lower order but in the last few years of junior cricket I moved up and opened the batting. Then I hit grade cricket and moved back down to seven or eight, only then to move back up to open. I don’t really have a preference but I find I need a lot more mental preparation to open.
What are your favourite shots? You seem a very effective foil to some of your more free-hitting team-mates?
Back foot shots definitely, a good cut or pull; shots you need on Australian pitches. But funnily enough if I’m driving the ball well you know I’m in form. I’ve never been a big hitter, and as much as I try, I don’t think I ever will. When I opened the batting in junior cricket I had a great coach who massively improved my technique and mental approach to a game, but it was a technique designed to minimise risk and to turn the strike over. I guess this helps when the free hitters are in as they push the field back and I can just take a single to get them back on strike and doing their thing.
How have you found your first few seasons with the Exiles? Any players in particular you've enjoyed playing in the same side as?
I’ve enjoyed the games with the Exiles; the highs and the lows. I wouldn’t keep coming back if I didn’t. I don’t think I’ve got any particular players I enjoying playing with more than others. I’ve always had a natural lean towards the fast bowlers in a team; a keeper and his “quicks” need to have a good relationship (ala caught Marsh bowled Lillee) but then again I enjoy being in the middle watching a graceful Keith, a free flowing John or a workman like Chris.
You are, of course, now firmly established as first-choice wicket-keeper for the club. Have you always been a keeper? What do you prefer - keeping or batting?
Keeping. I didn’t even have to think about that one. From the first ball of my cricketing career I’ve been a “keeper”. As a kid whilst others practiced batting or bowling I’d be out diving around in the grass practicing my technique and catching. A bit of a lonely existence but I enjoyed it.
Do you have many cricketing aspirations ahead?
I don’t really have any cricket aspirations these days, other than to enjoy it. The thing I’m looking forward to now is introducing James and Florence to cricket. I am hoping they both enjoy the game and that I can help them develop into decent players, although secretly I hope they don’t want to bowl as I can’t really help with that one.
Will many thanks for your time, and good luck in your future Exiles career.
Interviewed By: Exiles Website