The Mogador Wanderers began their 2017 season yesterday (Sunday 23rd April) at Brook CC, in deepest brightest South West Surrey. It is with great joy that I confirm it was started with a Murray (good win).
We had a fairly recognisable 11, with a couple of new additions for the day - thanks so much to the guys that helped us out: Scott Davis, a decent drinking buddy of mine and Manoj Rajarethinam, aka Roger Inger, who I've played a couple of games with and against at Reigate Priory. Also thanks to Keith Briggs for stepping in to umpire, great to see him and Linda.
Tharpy, in his first game as club captain, won the toss and with a few of the boys still stuck in traffic on the M25, decided to bat. Well done Egg and good decision. Familiar Furner and current bowling cup holder Cooper opened the innings. Furner started spritely but then had a Glen Maxwell moment of mental misjudgement and left a straight one, bowled for 18. Cooper continued to score with some beautiful ground shots, equally supported by Pete Riddy, who also delivered a wide and expansive wagon wheel of shots. Riddy was the first to go for a very well made and boisterous 34, as he skied one to mid-on and well caught by one of the younger members of the Brook side. Cooper was then joined by the reliable Paul Fisher before sadly the well-built Cooper innings of 31 unfortunately came to an end, as he sold himself to the spin bowling coming in from the Everest end. Cooper ran past one that didn't turn and the Brook keeper did the rest.
Fish continued to play the shots that routinely gets him runs, fully inclusive of the 'Fish flip of destiny' - manipulating the ball through the leg side arc between fine leg and backward square. Ahson Bukhari, '2016 Mogs Batsmen of the Year', was undone by the '2017 un-playable delivery of the Year' - exposed to the early season demons in what was otherwise a pretty good pitch. Ash made a strong and positive 19, but was bowled by one that never left the pitch on first bounce and hit the absolute base of middle. New boy Manoj added a decent 18, Tombsie was unlucky with one of the better innings for 9, timing, everything straight to the fielder. Fish was still picking up plenty of 1's and 2's and had secretly and quite illusively moved to 48, the Mogs on the side-line were too busy trying to rebuild Cooper's bat and recounting tales of the 2016/17 winter of discontent. Unfortunately no-one could have "said what they saw" next when Mr Fish (extra credit for anyone that gets that reference) was run-out by Murali on 48. Despite the obvious concern from Murali, Charlie reassured him that Fish was ball watching and there was nothing to be worried about, other than perhaps that Fish did know people...who knew people...that could do a job (wink wink). Tea was fast approaching and Eggson Tharp intervened just after 4pm with an honest and friendly declaration, I think the decision was made easier as the Brook left arm successfully persuaded the umpire that Tharpy had edged behind, when it may well have been bat on pad (?). It was quickly forgotten and that was that, the Mogs declared on 204 for 9.
Tea was consumed, and distributed across the outfield in hilarious circumstances. Charlie fell over on the uneven surface, although probably more to be blamed on the complete lack of coordination and attention from the plate holder. Despite the grass covered sandwiches and squashed cake, the tea posed a number of well discussed topics. Excellent attention from all of the Mogs as it was clear that the pre-season presentation from Tea Guru Cooper was well listened to and fully absorbed (more OPTA tea analysis to follow).
A quick turn around and the Mogs were keen to attack the Brook batsmen and successfully defend the tempting score of 204. The Brook openers were rather tentative to start with, as James Tombs bowled very steadily with some good movement and several deliveries that beat the batsmen. At the other end Charlie Lee was a little rusty after several months without bowling. However, Lee did manage to find the edge of the young opener but unfortunately Manoj was unable to hold on behind the stumps. The other 'over-seas' opener for Brook, showed greater experience and was more positive with the bat, very able at collecting the singles, with a scattering of boundaries thrown in if the ball was pitched up and off line. There was plenty of movement through the air for Charlie and Tombsie, which kept the Brook scoring rate down; however, no wickets were forthcoming. It took a decisive change of approach and the introduction of the slower delivery that caused the Brook batsmen to lose their control and comfort. Coops was the first to take a wicket - . Tharpy was soon to follow, taking over from Tombsie at the scoreboard end. However, Tharpy soon realised that spin was needed at both ends to cause Brook real problems, and Ahson was to replace him with instant reward. With the 3rd delivery of Ash's opening over, he had the well set Irish opener in all kinds of trouble and not sure whether to leave or play what turned out to be a fantastic wrong'un...the ball leapt up into the batsmen, catching the glove and with no pace at all arced and floated straight towards Cooper hands at 1st slip....who dropped it!! Never mind we thought, shouts of encouragement and reassurance came from the field, as Ash came into bowl the 4th delivery of his first over. This delivery turned out to be an even better wrong'un than the previous, it span almost 3 feet and totally deceived the Celtic Crusader, bowling him through the gate. This was supported with shouts of "You very lucky boy Cooper" from Hewitt A and El Presidente Martin who had joined the merry Mogs bandwagon from the boundary line.
Cooper continued to give the new Brook batsmen nothing to get hold of, and the score of 204 moved further and further away. Coops picked up another wicket, caught by a rather surprised and scared looking Charlie Lee in the covers. The challenge now for the Mogs was to make sure they got the full 10 wickets and although the track was proving difficult to score on, not that difficult to stay in...Ash had different ideas. The match situation meant that runs were not an issue, but the Brook middle and late order had no answer for the variety and accuracy of deliveries that Ahson produced. His figures pretty much speak for themselves at 5 for 16 off 7 overs...Instead of Cooper at the other end it was Murali that came on to bowl, and although we leaked a few runs, most importantly he picked up a couple of key wickets. It was left to Ash at the other end to really apply the pressure and looked most likely to collect the all-important final wickets to see the Mogs through to victory. However, the Brook batsmen, and in particular credit to a very young lad that came in at 8 or 9, batted well. Credit also goes to the Brook batsmen who continued to take on Murali and Ahson despite the run rate increasing rapidly. So it came down to 4 overs remaining and one wicket needed. The Mogs started to wonder whether the Brook rear guard action would disappoint them, but that was not going to be case as once again Ash completely bamboozled the Brook number 11, and the second player during the match, left one that clattered into the stumps.
Brook were very noble in their defeat, and the Mogs decent in their subdued celebrations. Nonetheless were we very pleased to have got the season off to a clinical winning performance.
With this being Brook, the impending dusk was obviously enjoyed in the Dog and Pheasant directly across the road, with a pint of very decent ale. Thanks to landlord for keeping the pub open just for the cricketers, and well done to our new club captain Eggson Tharp currently with a 100% winning record - MWCC 2017 off and running.
Charlie Lee
MWCC Stats