Check the Teams

By Rogers and Out
August 2 2022

Our two pre 50 over competition friendlies resulted in a defeat and a victory as we faced Berkshire and Hertfordshire over the last few days.

At Falkland cricket club in Wash Common near Newbury, a Middlesex team missing numerous rested first team players won the toss and opted to bat.

We got off to a flying start, with Josh De Caires making a fluent 33. However, it was the explosive batting of Joe Cracknell and Jack Davies whose 163 run third wicket partnership looked destined to set up a total of over 400 runs.

Jack made 74 and Joe a splendid 147, but once Jack departed with the score on 257/3, we fell away badly making 350 all out in 45 overs, despite a couple of reasonable innings in the twenties by Thilan Walallawita and Dan O’Driscoll.

A mention should be made of Berkshire’s ground fielding which was excellent throughout despite a difficult outfield.

Berkshire, led by ex Middlesex man and Dorking Wanderers goalkeeper Dan Lincoln, started well and were always up with the required run rate.

It must be said that this was by no means our finest effort with the ball, and opener Johnny Connell and Dan Lincoln himself plundered our attack with a brilliant 189 run partnership.

It was just a matter of time before Berkshire reached their target with 57 balls to spare. Connell smashed a huge six to clock up an unbeaten 150 and clinch a six wicket win. Dan Lincoln had scored 123 from 65 balls.

We travelled to West Herts cricket club in Watford two days later with a much stronger eleven.

Hertfordshire won the toss and opted to field.

Once again, we raced to a fast start with Steve Eskinazi peppering the nearby dual carriageway with several big sixes.

Eski and Mark Stoneman registered a double century opening partnership before Rocky was out for 67 with the score on 201.

Eski eventually fell for 160 and there was some good clean hitting down the order from Luke Hollman who made 31 and Joe Cracknell who ended up unbeaten on 57.

Unfortunately he also put a dent in Thilan’s car via one of his sixes.

Our total of 392/8 looked quite formidable and with a much improved bowling performance, we took regular wickets and won comfortably.

Two wickets apiece for Thilan, Ethan and Martin and victory was sealed in the 41st over by 174 runs.

Credit should also go to Hertfordshire’s Tanweer Sikandar, who scored 63 and took 3/48 in 9 overs.

Two enjoyable days of cricket, especially the second from a Middlesex perspective.

The facilities at both clubs were really good especially the new pavilions. Well done to both for their hospitality