"Catches win Matches" - Defeat at Kirkburton

09 May 2010

Sykes Cup Rnd 1 - Kirkburton away Slawit took a break from league cricket this afternoon as they were in Sykes cup 1st round action. The draw which couldn’t of got much worse saw Slawit making the trip across town to "megabucks" Kirkburton. After looking at the pudding of a wicket the toss was going to be crucial. Welshy of course then lost this as he has done every game so far. His inability to win a toss is reminiscent of Ijaz’s capability of holding a catch (Sorry mate). More of this to come later. Burton stuck Slawit in and opened up with the extremely tall Lambert & the extremely aggressive Roebuck. After pinning both batsmen down with some short and at times hostile bowling Wajid stuck a short ball straight down deep square legs throat off Roebuck. Holty who was getting frustrated at not scoring then inexplicably spooned the ball into the air for a soft dismissal. Some say it was due to not scoring but I personally think his thoughts were already drifting towards what pudding he was going to have at Shat next weekend for his tea. Boothy, Ijaz & Abby all came to the crease and swiftly departed with shot selection much to be desired. All of a sudden Slawit were 33-5 and looking at a very early finish. Then out to the wicket strolled Adam Turner. ‘Bambi’ who had not held a bat in 6 months then proceeded to play some fantastic shots along with the ever reliable ‘Picko’ Scott Pickering. Turner made a promising 31 before departing. Scott however continued to occupy the crease with wickets falling all around him. He showed great resilience and saw Slawit through all 50 overs. He ended on a fantastic unbeaten 98 just 2 short of a ton he so thoroughly deserved. Slawit had made 184 for 9 from what was a hideous position earlier on in the match. Out came Kirkburton with Smith & Wood. Ibby first up got a ball to rise sharply and Smith could only chop onto his stumps. Next up was the talented Roebuck. First ball he gets an absolute snorter that nips back through the gate. Ibby was on fire. Burton were 0 – 2 and suddenly Slawit were in pole position. However with Matthew Wood at the crease you can never be sure. As the light diminished he began to play some good looking shots. Then came the chance, edging a swinging delivery from Younis it went straight to first slip. Unfortunately for Slawit that’s where Ijaz was fielding and the chance went down. Wood then began to punish Slawit and along with Aspeling (who himself had also been dropped at first slip by ….. you guessed it) played some attacking strokes. It had all gone dark ….. literally. The heavens which threatened to open for what seemed an eternity eventually did and it was 73 for 2 and the end of the days play. After arriving at the ground at 1pm only to find a soaked wicket and a bone dry outfield play did not begin until 4pm. Wood & Aspeling continued where they left off, smashing the ball to all parts. Ijaz in the meantime who was obviously enjoying this match in the field had moved to gully where the ball seemed to follow him. Again off Wood it went through the hands and away to the boundary. Slawit heads had now dropped quicker than a plane in an ash cloud and with not a whimper Wood & Aspeling reached 92 each to finish the game. After a promising start more fight needs to be seen when times get hard!