Centurian Pickering leads march to a maximum at Elland

25 May 2010

The first Sunday league game of the season saw Slawit travel to what in recent times has been lucky Hullen Edge to play Elland. After assessing the wicket Welshy was in no doubt that this time it was definitely bat first. Unfortunately he didn’t win the toss and Elland went in. Two former Hill Toppers, Lee Baxter & Richard Whiteoak opened up and looked very confident on a flat deck. Whiteoaks’ “driving” had certainly improved since being the recipient of a sponsored car whilst plying his trade with us. Ibby though had other ideas as he began to settle into a rhythm. Thereafter Rich couldn’t play him and looked in difficulty. The chance came as he edged one to second slip. Slawits prolific slip catcher Ijaz was there and he shelled it to take his record to 1 from 4 for the season. Heads looked to be starting to drop already but then Whiteoak hit one in the air to Brucey who snaffled it at square leg with a good catch. Greg Buckley was next in and he looked to score frequently. Ijaz had come on and was slowing the run rate slightly. Baxter passed 50 with a solid knock and it looked as if Elland were going to get a big score that the track suggested. The turning point came with Elland on 105 for 1. Buckley ran himself out going for a fourth in the vast expanse of Ellands outfield. Welshy got the team together and dished out some verbals to inspire them to push on. This had a great impact as the very next ball Welshy himself misfielded the ball watching it go through his legs. It did however have the desired impact. Ibby was bowling fantastically well and Elland were not scoring as quickly as they liked. Elland’s skipper Robinson who had been out of form until his century the day before got into the 30’s before he too was run out. For once Slawit had removed the main top 4 of a side as Baxter went being caught off Ibby. This put pressure on the lower order and it was pressure they couldn’t quite handle. Ibby switched ends, Picko was given a bowl and he delivered the goods. The middle order was halted as Thornton went caught behind by Holty off Ibby. Some Elland supporters thought it didn’t carry although how they could see from half a mile away is quite beyond me. Fletcher was next in and tried to push the run rate on. He found a couple of boundaries off the tiring Ibby, however as he tried to go for another big shot, he got his man, caught by Picko. Ibby picked up his fourth wicket in an excellent spell removing the first of the Finn twins. Picko & Ibby between them kept it very tight in the last ten and from143-2 at the halfway stage Elland ended on 215 for 7 and Slawit heads were held high. The Slawit response did not start well though. Holty went first up bowled by the erratic Cooper. Picko came to join Wajid and Slawit never looked back. Picko who is consistently solid every innings loved the ball coming onto the bat from the likes of Cooper, Rhodes & Fletcher. Wajid was playing his shots as he does and his rich vein of form continued. Picko soon passed fifty in an effortless knock. Slawit reached 92 for 1 before Elland made another breakthrough. Wajid was caught and bowled by the left arm spin of Thornton for 43. Boothy came in at 4 and sat tight while he watched a fantastic knock from the other end by Scott. Picko smoked every bowler he came up against to all parts and brought up his maiden ton much to his and every Slawit players delight.. Boothy in the supporting roll made 55 and looks to be coming into form. Slawit reached the total of 215 with 3 overs to spare and just 2 wickets down. Picko was 113 not out and capped off a fantastic performance from the Aussie. If Slawit are to progress up the league performances like this need to be seen more often but with a second win in the bag the confidence of the team can only grow from here.