1st August 2020

After playing underwater cricket last week, the prospect of a more typical cricket weather had both teams relieved. Wantage won the toss and opted to bowl first, a matter of seconds later it started to rain, so the covers were brought on. Fortunately it was short lived and the covers came off so the game commenced on time.

The home side started well with good opening spells from Leedog and Harvester (4-30) leaving the visitors at 24-3 at 10 overs; Liam castling Ewings and Warhorse doing for the both Hamp brothers, one bowled and one caught by skip. Unfortunately Chief was a little lose with his line as first change, giving Bastable (69) opportunity he couldn’t resist, taking advantage of some lose balls down the leg side. From the other end Colin was causing more problems for Oxenford, taking Singh in his second over. Chief settled into his rhythm and together with Colin started to build some pressure. Chief was then rewarded with the wicket of Hirtenstein trapping him LBW. This bought Kaseva to the crease who seemed impenetrable, although several chances were created not even Tweeks could find his way past him. Kaseva continued to rotate the strike with Bastable, carefully constructing a partnership of 75 which took back some of the momentum that Wantage had built. Harvester returned for his second spell to break the partnership at 128-6, with Bastable attempting to play over the top getting caught by skip at long off. Both Colin and Harvester added another wicket apiece, and a third followed when Rathee attempted a suicidal run when hitting the ball straight to Colin with three stumps to aim at. Wantage were unable to secure the final bowling point, but did prevent the visitors from reaching their third bowling point to finish the innings on 144-9.

After tea Skip and Robbo started the Wantage chase well, when the umpire called “washy washy” for the first time in the innings the score was 22-0. A mini collapse followed losing three wickets without scoring a run. First skip hit a straight pull back to the bowler Rowley, two balls later Colin fell victim chasing a wide delivery from the same bowler edging to slip, and the following over Robbo somehow managed to bottom edge behind when looking well set. With the top three back in the hutch this caused the rate to slow dramatically as Spenny and Leedog sought to rebuild. Liam (55) was getting the majority of the strike being patient before getting off the mark and cashing in on some lose deliveries to get the scoring moving again. The unfortunate Spenny was shortly trudging off after getting a straight ball that pitched just short of a length and shot along the deck hitting the stumps. First Sheppy and then IC came to the crease, both contributing with a couple of nice shots until they nicked off into the gloves of Hamp.

At 74-6 Liam was joined by Binners (38*) who got stuck into the Oxenford bowling almost immediately, dispatching an over pitched ball for four through the covers off his second ball. Both Liam and Bingo were productive at the crease through a combination of lovely drives and nudging ones and twos into gaps. After six overs together they had moved the score onto 107, when Bingo sliced a ball into the hands of the man at gully only for Singh to drop it. Bingo took his chance, together with Leedog contributing 62 for the 7th wicket. Shortly after bringing up his maiden OCA half century Liam uncharacteristically attempted to smack the ball onto the road, only to see his off stump pegged backward. Liam left the field to the applauding Wantage collective, bringing Harvester to the crease with only 9 runs required. After his contribution with the ball, in typical fashion he was keen to get the game finished smashing consecutive boundaries down the ground to get Wantage to the target of 145 for the loss of 7 wickets.

Celebrating two wins on the bounce the team were in good form as we discussed fines and match awards. Pigs ear went to Spenny for a drop from what should’ve been a regulation catch at gully. His only competition was IC’s ‘creative’ fielding; when trying to throw the ball between his legs on a run out attempt, instead throwing it into his own ankle.

Champagne moment went to Harvester for his match winning boundary, he was also nominated for his delivery to bowl Hamp and Robbo got a nomination for his 6 over the (not-so) protective fencing.

Man of the match was between Will for his four-fer and batting cameo; Liam for another tight bowling display and his maiden 50; and Bingo for another good keeping display and one of his best batting performances for the club. Leedog walking away with MoTM for the second week in a row.

Next week we host Marcham looking to make it three on the spin #daretodream.

Author: Summs