Coleshill 3s picked up a hugely deserved and comprehensive first win of the season against Bablake at the 12th attempt this season. After losing badly first game of the season, this was an opportunity for revenge and Coleshill went into the game feeling confident after a strong performance against Lapworth where only rain denied us victory.

Coleshill lost the toss and were asked to field first in a game reduced to 40 overs with agreement from both skippers, a decision which mirrored skipper Paul’s thinking too. Opening the bowling with speed and skill, Haider didn’t get the wickets he got last week and the Bablake openers started well, hitting strongly and with an outfield as dry as the Sahara, anything past the fielder was going for 4. In the 7th over, Haider got the breakthrough, bowling the opposition skipper off an inside edge. This was deserved reward for keeping to a plan and bowling full to entice the drive. Both opening bowlers – Haider and Paul kept it reasonably tight and after 10 overs, Bablake were on 40-1. The run rate stayed roughly the same all innings and the bowlers did an exceptional job of keeping control. Super sub Akaash (playing at 16 minutes notice) came on first change and bowled 9 exceptional overs unchanged, picking up 2 for only 27 and threatening the stumps and the batters every ball, maintaining a highly disciplined line and length and making a fine debut. Looking at the pitch and seeing it start to grip, Paul rotated the bowlers out and brought on Arman and Khalid to spin the ball from both ends, both of whom picked up wickets and kept the score under control.

In a very good fielding display in extreme circumstances, Coleshill restricted Bablake to only 205-7. In addition, the total of 8 wides was our best performance in this key element of the game. At this stage, Bablake no doubt thought they were well in the game and that over 200 is always tough to chase

Arman and Khalid had other ideas though, striding out to bat and immediately taking full control as the second over of the match went for 29 as the unfortunate bowler bowled a 17 ball over struggling for line and length with a slippy new ball in his hand. This set the tone for the innings as after 2 overs, with Coleshill on 31, Arman had 17 of them and Khalid had 1…

Arman was ruthless to any bowler. When the skipper brought himself on, Arman greeted him with a first ball 6 and when Coleshill reached 50 in a scarcely believable 6th over, Arman was on 34. Khalid, playing the perfect support role was batting solidly and was unfortunate to hit a few fielders whereas at the other end, every full toss or long hop was being punished by Arman who went to 50 in the 8th over and was not in the mood to stop! Twice he hit 3 consecutive boundaries and 8 overs were hit for more than 10 throughout the innings. Arman carried on smashing the ball everywhere and 2 spare balls were needed for the innings as well as the help of a high tree branch when a ball seemed destined for the road! Arman brought up a magnificent hundred – his second in consecutive innings – with, not surprisingly, a 6! Attention then turned to Khalid who was edging closer to his own milestone of 50 and Arman was keen to get singles to allow Khalid this opportunity and he duly obliged to bring up a superb half-century. From here, it was a stroll in the park as the openers brought up a 200 run unbroken partnership to bring home the win after only 27 overs. The team was delighted to bring up the win and there will undoubtedly be many more to come this season and beyond. The attitude throughout the fielding was first class in tough conditions, as was the backing for the bowlers. The support for the openers was relentless and there were plenty of volunteers to both umpire and score which was great to see. We started this season with 11 players and now we have a team. I am proud to captain them. Here’s to many more wins!