2008-07-05

Lindow batsmen reap havoc and the bowlers Peel away at Malpas resistance

After an early start and a long journey contemplating whether a match was possible given the changeable weather conditions, Lindow were put into bat on a good, hard track.

Peel and Wild made a patient start against some accurate bowling, diligently compiling 14 runs from the first 10 overs. Having seen off the opening attack the batsmen began to increase the run rate, piercing the gaps in the field, moving the score onto 100 by the 25th over.

Following a short rain delay Wild mishit a full toss and was caught at mid off (58). Parr entered the fray, adding 32 runs at rapid pace, before holing out at long off. To add insult to injury Hoyle set about the Malpas bowling to add a further 34 runs, with some brutal hitting. Peel, continuing to play textbook cricket shots, brought up his deserved 50, falling to the last ball of the innings on 65, leaving Lindow on 203 for 3 from 38 overs. Lindows' batting was an example of how to compile an innings, building a stable base to allow the bigger hitters more freedom to play attacking shots. Although Lindow were helped somewhat by numerous dropped catches and a lack of depth in the bowling attack. Given the rain delay this early declaration left Lindow with 47 overs to bowl out Malpas.

Ahmed and Pate opened the bowling for Lindow, confident of taking wickets against a team who had struggled for runs all year. Pate (2 for 17) was into his stride straight away, bowling with good rythmn and causing problems for the opening pair. Ahmed (3 for 29) also began well, bowling quickly into a strong wind, removing the opening batsmen to a catch behind (via a deflection from Burton). In came the Malpas captain, who added runs quickly before being caught behind off Pate in the 12th over leaving Malpas at 40-2. Peel (3 for 18) replaced Ahmed in the attack and immediately removed the other opener for 24. Peel and Kendrick (3 for 28) continued to make inroads in wet conditions, helped by some good catching, in particular Blomfield, who took a stunning diving catch running to his left at mid off. At this point Malpas were on the ropes at 80-6 with 20 overs still remaining, their only hope for the heavens to open and for the match to be abandoned. Ahmed now back into the attack and wound up by some rather agricultural hitting cleaned bowled the Malpas number 8. Further wickets from Kendrick and Pate left the home side on 103 - 9 with 12 overs remaining. As the skies darkened Ahmed steamed into remove the final batsman to a catch from Pate, a well deserved wicket, given the pace and aggression in his spell. Malpas had been resoundingly beaten by 90 runs by a Lindow side who will take many positives from this game. Lindow must continue to show this level of commitment for the remaining fixtures to press on with the promotion challenge, currently sitting 2nd in the league.