Energy Exiles Cricket Club

Match Summary: vs. Agricola, Sunday, 20 Jul 2008

Ground: King's House Sports Ground
Captain: Andrew Wingfield
Match type: 40 overs
Toss: Agricola elected to bat
Weather: Cloudy, Green pitch
Opposition: Agricola scored: 158 for 8 (40 overs)
Exiles Score: 159 for 7 (40 overs)
Result: Won by 1 run
Man of the match: Simon Gundry 43 not out

Exiles turned up at Chiswick determined to avenge the thumping defeat inflicted earlier in the season by possibly the strongest batting side we face. We were greeted by two surprises - first, despite this being an Agricola home game, we somehow found ourselves on pitch D, and second, the contest was to be played over 40 overs, rather than a timed game. No doubt bemused by this turn of events, Andy lost the toss for the first time in ages and we found ourselves batting.

It was tough going to start with. Agricola's skipper maintained a tight line and length from one end, and his left arm opening partner found no end of variable bounce from the other end. Your author and, more surprisingly, Q found it difficult to get the ball away, and for several overs extras was the highest (indeed only) scorer. Slowly the shackles were loosened and by the 20 over mark, Exiles were well-placed for a 2nd half assault at 60-odd without loss. But it didn't last - Q was finally undone by the variable bounce, and I joined John Morgan's long tally of Exiles' victims - and, while JPJ continued his excellent start for the Exiles with a fluent 30 odd, further wickets fell at the other end until Simon strode to the wicket, swinging his new sub-machine gun (or should that be a howitzer?) of a bat, to give the innings some much needed momentum in the closing overs. There was something for everyone - the flat-batted six straight which cleared the fence and was lost forever in the housing estate, the exquisite cover drive for four, or perhaps, most in the Exiles tradition, the invention of a new kind of shot, dubbed "the crab shot", which viewed from the side, involved a crustacean-like shuffle down towards the bowler and then hurriedly back, before delicately dabbing to third man. It looked like nothing so much as a 70's style space invader moving back and forth across the screen, and it was mighty effective. Exiles finished on 159, and although it didn't feel like enough at the time, at least "it gave us something to bowl at" (TM Sky book of cricket cliches).

Andy and Naren opened with their customary mean-ness, and, once the stumps had been re-arranged by the umpire on request to a slightly more even formation, Andy succeeded in not just propelling the ball through the gaps between them but instead actually hit them to dispose of one opener. However, things looked ominous as Almond (scorer of a tremendous century against us earlier in the season) and the tall No 3 began to score more freely and the odd half chance went down. On the plus side, though, Chamberpot was bowling like he'd never been away, and eventually he gained his reward by having Almond caught (very impressively) by JPJ at slip. Enter Gwyn, another bowler having a rare outing this season. Agricola didn't know what to do with him, and by the end of his five overs he had sent three of their most dangerous hitters back to the pavilion, aided by some sound catching. But Agricola were still in it - the No 3 was still there, they bat a long way down and the run rate was still within reach. It all pointed to a tense finish.

Jasper showed that practice makes perfect when, having dropped the No 3 in JPJ's previous over, he held his nerve superbly to pouch an identical chance in the next over. Surely we were home and dry now? Not a bit of it, as Dan and his scampering partner set about getting them in one's and two's, putting great pressure on the Exiles' world-renowned(!) fielding. Naren returned to bowl the scampering man, but he returned immediately to haunt us as Mike Segal's exceedingly swift runner. It was going to the wire.

Naren bowled the last over, with Agricola needing 11. If memory serves, they got two off the first, then Naren bowled a wide! Advantage Agricola. The rest is a bit blurred, but I remember at least one excellent dot ball, and how could I forget actually managing to get the ball into the keeper on the full and over the stumps from fine leg to effect the run out as Dan attempted a suicidal second. It's amazing what a shot of adrenaline can do for even the weakest throwing arm! Agricola were left needing five to win, four to tie off the last ball. They could only manage three as Exiles kept their nerve to secure a satisfying 1 run win, to which the whole team contributed.

Report By: Keith Roberts

Captains log: Andrew Wingfield

Hand on heart, 159 off 40 overs against the fearsome Agricola batting line up; did you think it would be enough?

Probably not; it was a decent effort though - on a not very easy pitch, but I was looking for nearer 200 to have any chance. Agricola's bowling is nowhere near as strong as their batting - so I was hoping we could dominate, but to be fair to them, they bowled very well.

Pitch D is a bit of a lucky ground; its huge boundary and slow outfield seems to suit the Exiles style of play, perhaps?

It does seem to be a bit of a lucky pitch for us - this season at least; however, I'm not so sure its the huge boundary and slow outfield that is the reason - more that the pitch itself is always a bit dodgy - so batsmen always have to be a bit careful - which is the Exiles' batsmen’s usual style anyway - and attacking players often perish pretty quickly - so levelling things out somewhat.

How much was the middle order collapse caused by the batters realising a big big score would really be needed possibly against Agricola?

You'd have to ask the individual batsmen concerned that - though certainly Jasper, Amil, and Wil perished in the search for quick runs - Jasp and Amil getting out by perhaps playing an overly aggressive shot a little early in their innings, whilst Wil was run out going for a very tight single. But it doesn't seem that unusual for the Exiles to have a middle order collapse!

Simon has done a few of these 40 odd blasters when his team required it; any chance hemight be given a promotion up the order?

Much as I'd like to, I think it's difficult in Exiles games; the club continues to play friendly matches only - and if its a friendly match, whilst I am always keen to try to win the game, the headline mentality of the club has always been to ensure everyone enjoys as good a game of cricket on a Sunday as possible - so anyone who has bowled in the match, or is likely to do so, will remain lower in the batting order than someone who has (or will) not, regardless of merit. And vice-versa. And to win when everyone has contributed roughly evenly is surely the perfect result for the club to strive for every week.

Have you seen a better six than the one he smote over the fence into someone's brand new conservatory (possibly - artistic license in case any legal's are reading this!)?

It was certainly very powerfully struck - but I thought his first six - over extra cover - was just as impressive. However it must get some recognition as it is the first time I’ve seen a cricket ball hit out of the ground at Chiswick!

With all the new faces this season, it must have been reassuring to see old hands Phil and Gwyn bowl so well at such a crucial point of the match?

Yes - I thought they both bowled superbly. Phil is an excellent and experienced cricketer – but looked a bit rusty I thought in the (few) games he played last year - this time it was more like in his first season - when he won the bowling trophy; he gets natural swing when bowling a cricket ball - which is something I'm striving hard to attain; as well as Phil bowled, I think Gwyn was absolutely critical to us winning the game however; when he came on, I was concerned that the batsmen may try to go after him; and they did, but Gwyn knows his game and picked up 3 crucial, quick wickets to really put us back in the game. The Exiles must remember this for future battles against Agricola!

It was still a bit topsy turvy in the field though...

I think that's a little harsh; generally I thought we were very good on Sunday - most catches were taken - apart from Naren missing a very difficult one and Jasper missing an easier one (though he was to impressively make amends an over later). The ground fielding was decent - there were a few diving stops even - but I'd like us to get more run-outs...

Where does this rate in your Exiles catalogue of matches?

Personally I might even put it top - as I felt very involved this time; the obvious rival to this game is the Jeff Hilson '6 dot dot dot dot 6' game against Barnes Occasionals a couple of years ago (where Jeff hit the final ball for 6 to win the game by 1 wicket) - but I was just sitting watching that happen - this time the Exiles were in the field in the critical stages and I thoroughly enjoyed captaining it and trying to set the right fields. And to defend only 159 against Agricola is something the Exiles can be rightly pleased with - especially bearing in mind that they put over 260 against us only about 6 weeks ago and had beaten us very convincingly in the last 2 encounters between the 2 clubs.

Interviewed By: Jasper Searle

Interview with Man of the Match: Simon Gundry

Let's start with that monster 6; have you ever hit a better shot?

I'm not sure I've hit an uglier six! It certainly wasn't a text book straight six but it came right out of the middle and that's always a nice feeling - especially when you hit a ball out of the park!

These 40 odd scores you make are becoming a bit of a trademark…

Well I don't think there's enough yet to be a trademark! I feel I should be contributing more down the order but it's not always easy to come in with a few overs left and score quick runs. It would be good to actually get past the 50 mark one day but I always seem just to run out of time … or get out.

Do you see yourself as a bowler who can bat, or would you like to be considered for higher up the batting order on merit as well?

I see my role in the team primarily as a bowler who should be able to score useful runs. Ironically at school I played as a 'proper' batsman who bowled a bit so it's strange how things change. It's always good to play a part with at least bat or ball especially when it contributes to an Exiles win.

Did you think that 159 would be enough of a target to defend?

I thought it would be difficult against a good batting side but felt that the pitch (and our bowlers) would always give us a chance. It was a tough match and to win a hard fought game that went down to the wire was extremely satisfying.

Even though you didn't get a wicket, were you happy enough with your bowling?

Not really. I didn't bowl badly but I expect to get wickets and be economical doing that. That hasn't been happening so far this season and it's giving me the hump! I don't think the injury in the first game has helped. But as a team I thought we bowled and fielded pretty well and always kept the pressure on the batsmen.

Interviewed By: Jasper Searle

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