Match Scorecard

Match Report

Match Report

The 2nd XI gave themselves a lifeline in their battle against relegation from Thames Valley Division 4A with an exciting two wicket win over I.C.I. 2nds. A tremendous game of cricket, played in an excellent spirit, ended with 14-year old Ben Sturgess hitting the winning run with just three balls remaining.



Wooburn opted to bowl on winning the toss, and it looked a sound decision as the pitch gave all the bowlers plenty of encouragement. However, ICI\‘s prolific opener Inderjit made light of the difficult conditions to hit a marvellous hundred. When the little Indian was on strike, it seemed he was playing on a different pitch, as he made 87 of the first 99 runs scored. He was eventually caught at long on for 101 out of a total of 134. In the latter stages, Ian Rance played well for 31 not out, and John Adams chipped in with 20, ICI declaring on 177-5 after 50 overs. All four bowlers used picked up a wicket each.



A refreshingly youthful Wooburn side, containing four colts, desperately needed a good start if they were to get close to their target. Brothers Alan and Paul Cuthbert opened the innings in positive fashion, watchful in defence but looking to hit the bad ball. They added 56 in 16 overs before Paul was caught behind off Graham Yendall. Another stand of 56 for the second wicket appeared to have put Wooburn in the driving seat at 112-1, but Alan Cuthbert\‘s dismissal for a determined 55, sparked a middle-order collapse as four wickets fell for 7 runs, three of them to Udi Verma.



Derek Milsom and Nigel Purchase now began the recovery. Milsom was quickly into his stride, with Purchase providing good support. The pair put Wooburn right back in the game, but with only 21 needed Purchase was bowled by Khan. Tim Waxman slapped a couple of boundaries, but then holed out going for the winning hit. Next over, Milsom similarly fell trying to end the match, after scoring 36 valuable runs.



With 8 balls remaining and two runs required, young Ben Sturgess arrived at the crease. A single squirted down to third man left Sturgess on strike as Khan prepared to bowl the last over of the match. He kept the first two balls out, but the third was overpitched and Sturgess calmly pushed it to cover for the winning run. A fitting end to a wonderful game of cricket. Udi Verma produced the bowling performance of the day, taking 6-43.