After assessing the conditions of the day and the lineup stand in skipper Drew Cook won the toss and put the opposition into bat. This would be a good opportunity for the Coleshill bowlers to either bowl out the opposition or get some well needed time working on technique.

In a changed lineup opening the bowling was Ibrahim and Jake..Both posed questions to the batsmen early and combined nicely with Ibrahim showing good wheels and Jake using the conditions and getting some swing and seam. Early wickets fell with Ben Notman taking two excellent catches one to get the dangerous looking Beasley who was dismissed on 16.

Everyone was contributing in the field to restrict the scoring and concentration levels were high throughout. Misfields were very rare which was great to see.

After Ibrahim had bowled his first five Jamie came onto bowl in tandem with his brother Jake. This was the first time the brothers bowled together in an adult game. It was good to see. Both worked nicely together supported thoroughly by everyone in the field.

Dwayne Miller and Arman followed. Dwayne has still got the ability to drop it perfectly on the spot and squeeze runs but the occasional loose ball compromised his usually excellent figures. Arman produced an excellent spell of bowling and finished with figures of seven overs for 24 runs and one wicket. He deserved better but it was a superb spell of bowling for us.

Ben contributed with a very tight spell of bowling, as well, getting a deserved wicket and KK did the business ripping leggies, some moving so wildly it tested the reactions of the ageing wicket-keeper.

All things considered a good display restricting the opposition to 182 but as we all know extras was the second top scorer.

With a doable target tea was had with enjoyment and relaxation.

Arman and Eesa opened up facing nagging line and length and some sharp bowling from opposing ends. Runs were hard to come by in the first 10. The batsmen were not chasing they were persevering and showing good application. Eesa took one on the body and returned later to continue batting. KK batted well for a number of overs and was unfortunate not to properly connect and was caught when looking like he could carry us through.

Useful partnerships between everyone took place. Asghar, after getting dropped, refocused and hit a very well deserved 46 with some beautiful shots. I actually think he applauded one of his own!

Usman vice captained and despite not bowling applied himself superbly in the middle ably supported by Ibi. By the time Drew got to the crease it was still possible to chase the victory and he worked well again with Ibi pushing five and six an over. After failing to middle one the captain was caught by Yuvraj in the deep. The same Yuvraj who got 53 not out but was dropped early.

The game had changed now and it seemed with three or four overs left that it would require Ben and Jamie to do the business and see out the remaining overs. Both played like openers blocking and leaving the wide ones to give us a losing draw.

It was close but it was the extras that won it for them. Well done guys onto next week. Thank you for everyone supporting and contributing to the teamwork and ethic throughout.

Captain’s man of the match. The whole team supported me and each other ably. Great contributions from everyone.

Khalid, Arman, Miller and Usman were huge but it has to go to Ibi (Jonty) Shabir.
Drew Cook 22.5.2022