Scorecard

Batchworth v Northwood Cricket Club 5th XI on Sat 27 May 2023 at 1pm
Northwood Cricket Club Won by 6 wickets

Match report On a balmy Saturday, with blue skies at Croxley Guild,, the arriving Northwood players were greeted by long boundaries with even longer grass, an artificial pitch and the sound of Jatin knocking in his new bat. Little did they know just how important all of these factors would be. Unfortunately, the toss continued in the same pattern as the season so far with Mandar losing the toss and with not a cloud to protect from the sun the 5s were asked to field.

In the field it was a story of two halves – the first 20 overs the bowlers were on top with Chris, Jaeden, Rafi and Jatin all contributing to a tidy bowling effort. The bowlers kept to disciplined lines and lengths and they were by in large supported well by their fielders however the first twenty overs were studded with some difficult chances going down. Particular highlights were Jatin ending up on his knees pleading with the umpire in an LBW appeal (to his credit, it worked) and Batchworth’s opening batsman ending up on his back mid pitch and getting run out despite Rafi’s best efforts to ensure otherwise. With all players suitably parched, drinks midway through the innings were a welcome break and with the score only 60, the whole team was feeling pleased with their effort so far. The second half of the innings belonged to Batchworth – with the batsman toying with the field, with quick running bringing the field in before exhibiting some clean hitting. The bowlers continued with a disciplined effort, with particular mention going to Manan playing his first adults game for Northwood causing issues with his off-spin. However the expansive hitting only continued to grow as the innings wore on and the sun continued to take it’s toil on Northwood. The fielders continued to exhibit energy throughout but despite the collective efforts Batchworth ended on 194.

Whilst knowing that the score was not beyond the reach of this team, the batsman also understood it would require a strong team effort. Jatin in particular was upbeat in encouragement indicating that this was the perfect pitch for batsman to go out and make a big score. Little did all around know just how much of a self-fulfilling prophecy this was to become.

The ever dependable Saurabh and the hot in form Dhaval opened and put on a quick partnership of 43 before Dhaval fell. Their glorious shots were accompanied by a chorus of oohs and aahs from the opposition (on every ball, regardless of if it was a front foot defence, a play and miss or a wide ball which had been left). Mandar, sensing the need to keep momentum going, promoted Jatin to number 3. Saurabh continued looking as stylish as ever but unfortunately fell shortly after, bringing together Mandar and Jatin with the score on 59.

What followed was the perfect yin and yang partnership as Jatin grew into his knock and started to play ever more expansively whilst not losing his shape and still respecting the good balls. Mandar, with all his experience, recognised his role in this particular partnership was going to be that of the junior contributor in terms of runs however, Mandar’s contribution in terms of guidance to Jatin of breaking down and chasing the total being faced by them should not be downplayed. As the boundaries continued to flow from Jatin’s bat (a particular one which sticks in the memory was a magnificent six which struck the scoreboard to bring up his 50), Mandar was carefully calculating the game and playing the perfect foil. In Mandar, the 5th XI have their keeper, their captain, their chase master and calculator – in essence they have their very own Mandar Singh Dhoni! As the partnership grew, Batchworth’s oohs and ahhs died down that was until Mandar was out caught. The partnership was worth 98, of which Mandar had contributed 16 vital singles but had also helped keep Jatin composed (especially when he wanted to sacrifice his wicket midway through!)

Whilst Mandar’s dismissal lifted the spirits of Batchworth (who followed it up with a first ball dismissal of Adi) it brought fresh legs to the crease in the form of Arjun to help chase the last 40 runs down. Jatin continued in his dominant touch seeing the ball like a beach ball and dispatching it with disdain whilst still respecting the good bowling. Mandar, now umpiring, continued to be a vital cog in guiding the pair through as they started to steal twos to build pressure on the opposition. As the final two overs began 15 were required. When it was getting tight Arjun stood tall as he dispatched the best opposition bowler with a towering blow towards cow corner for 4 to bring the final over equation into single fingers but with Jatin on strike in the final over, no target was too big. Jatin hit the first three balls of the final over for 4, 4 and 1 going past the 100 mark in the process to hand Northwood the win with a stunning knock.

The momentum from the win is sure to set Northwood 5th XI in good stead and the man of the match (without a shred of question) is Jatin Karia.

Diet Coke was flowing in the clubhouse to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Batchworth Batting
Player name RunsMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
6nb 15w 2lb 
for 7 wickets
23
194 (39.5 overs)		     
O Davis lbw  C Heuston 2
L Parry run out  (J Halai) 6
A Moonammale lbw  J Karia 32
A Usman Retired Out  40
Y Waqar Not Out  65
Z Butt ct  P Naga b P Naga 1
W Khan b  R Kelion 4
A Rawat ct  Unsure b S Suri 13
A Butt Not Out  8
H Phillipps  
R Eavis  

Northwood Cricket Club 5th XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Chris Heuston6.0124124.004.00
Jaeden Halai6.002900.004.83
Rafi Kelion8.0025125.003.12
Jatin Karia4.0012112.003.00
Manan Sharma6.004100.006.83
Saurabh Suri6.0120120.003.33
Praveen Naga4.0040140.0010.00

Northwood Cricket Club 5th XI Batting
Player Name RMB4s6sSRCatchesStumpingsRun outs
extras
TOTAL :
1nb 24w 2b 5lb 
for 4 wickets
32
195		        
Saurabh Suri ct  Unsure b Butt 28 3
Dhaval Soni ct  Unsure b Phillips 9 1
Jatin Karia Not Out  102 14 1
Mandar Karnik ct  Unsure b R Eavis 16
Aditya Mishra b  R Eavis 0
Arjun Riyait Not Out  8 1
Jaeden Halai  
Chris Heuston  
Rafi Kelion  
Praveen Naga   1
Manan Sharma   1

Batchworth Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
H Phillips5.0023123.004.60
R Eavies8.0140220.005.00
A Butt8.0122122.002.75
W Khan7.003600.005.14
A Usman6.303900.006.00
A Rawat5.002800.005.60