Saturday 15th September 2007 vs Crouch End Calthorpe C.C.
 
Sandeep Digs Deep
 
Crouch End Calthorpe C.C. 228 all out
Washington C.C. 231 for 5
 

Washington returned to winning ways on Saturday particularly thanks to a fabulous all round performance from Sandeep Kuckreja. Following a great spell of medium pace bowling, Sandeep crashed 71 unbeaten runs in rapid fashion in chasing down a sizeable total set by Crouch End side Calthorpe. The win was most welcome for the Wash as they had lost their previous 4 fixtures.

There were also important contributions from Aff Naseem who scored 67 runs and Russell Pendry who took 4 wickets for only 12 runs.

On on sunny day and what looked like a good pitch Wash skipper Peter Kloss won the toss and after deliberation decided to bowl.

Sandeep Kuckreja (3-33) and Peter Kloss (3-59) opened up for the Wash and bowled very tightly. Calthorpe struggled to only 20 from the first 8 overs, but without losing a wicket. But then suddenly 3 wickets fell in two overs as Sandeep bowled one opener and Kloss took two further wickets. Both Kloss's away swing and Sandeep's variation of pace were proving difficult to play, the ball passing the outside edge countless times. Wash were jubilant when two further wickets fell. The first of these was in slightly bizarre fashion, the batsmen being stumped by wicketkeeper Hitchcock who was standing 4 yards back behind the stumps!

Kloss persisted with the opening bowlers for 24 overs, looking for a further breakthrough to expose the tail, but it did not come as Jenkins and Moodie built a solid partnership, reaching 95 for 5 as the bowlers were changed. Eric Stoughton (0-42) and Max Murrain (0-52) tried in vain and the Calthorpe scoring rate increased through this period. The Wash felt they were unlucky to have a run out chance and several LBW decisions turned down.

Calthorpe had advanced to 205 for 5 and the Wash were beginning to prepare themselves for the declaration when Russell Pendry took the ball. He finally achieved the breakthrough for his team with his 3rd ball, Chris Davis taking a good catch at deep midwicket. However he then proceeded to mop up the rest of the batting order taking a career best 4 for 12 in an astonishing display of slow bowling. Kloss was left wondering why he had not brought Pendry on earlier and Calthorpe had collapsed to 228 all out.

After a good tea Tony Harris (7) and Chris Davis (8) commenced Washington's reply in cautious fashion. After 10 overs both had gone bowled with only 27 on the board. Aff Naseem (67) joined Max Murrain (22) and the two batsmen then put on the type of gritty partnership which has been sorely missing from the Washington game in recent weeks. They put on 52 runs over 14 overs, not a spectacular contribution but one which ensured a solid foundation had been laid. Devesh Dutt (14) came in and struck three excellent boundaries in his unorthodox style; one cover drive was an absolute gem which raced to the boundary. However the task still looked daunting at the start of the final 20 overs as Washington reached 87 for 3, needing another 142 for victory at 7 an over.

Dutt was bowled 4 overs later and Sandeep Kuckreja (71*) then came in. Naseem went to his 50 in measured style, an absolutely invaluable innings on this day. He then accelerated, cutting loose with some great pull shots. The Wash were rampant by this stage, Kuckreja, having played himself in over a handful of balls, also finding the middle of the bat. In fact Sandeep's aggressive batting style was perfect for such a situation. He crashed ten 4s and two 6s to all parts of the ground and completely took the Calthorpe attack apart. Despite several bowling changes the opposition had nothing to counteract the onslaught. When Naseem was caught out going for another big shot, Brad Hitchcock (15*) joined Sandeep and supported him well in completing the victory with 7 balls remaining.

Skipper Kloss was delighted, saying “what a fabulous Wash victory, desperately needed and well deserved. It was a good team performance. Russ's bowling and Aff's batting were both vital to the win, but will be overshadowed by Sandeep's great all round performance. He really has been a superb asset to the team all season and today he was at the peak of his form”.

The Wash were jubilant after the game, celebrating well into the evening.

Man of the match: Sandeep Kuckreja

Packing the kit: no candidates this time

Washington: Tony Harris, Chris Davis, Max Murrain, Aff Naseem, Devesh Dutt, Sandeep Kuckreja, Brad Hitchcock (+), Peter Kloss (c), David Gluckman, Russell Pendry, Eric Stoughton


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Batting
Player Runs How out
Tony Harris 7 Bowled
Chris Davis 8 Bowled
Max Murrain 22 Caught
Aff Naseem 67 Caught
Devesh Dutt 14 Bowled
Sandeep Kuckreja 71* 
Brad Hitchcock 15* 
Did Not Bat
Peter Kloss
David Gluckman
Russell Pendry
Eric Stoughton
Partnerships
Wkt Runs Batsmen
1 14 Tony Harris  &  Chris Davis
2 13 Chris Davis  &  Max Murrain
3 52 Max Murrain  &  Aff Naseem
4 29 Aff Naseem  &  Devesh Dutt
5 41 Aff Naseem  &  Sandeep Kuckreja
6 82 * Sandeep Kuckreja  &  Brad Hitchcock



Fielding
Player Cts Wkt Cts Stmps
Chris Davis 1 - -
Brad Hitchcock - - 2
Sandeep Kuckreja 1 - -
Russell Pendry 1 - -
Bowling
Player Overs Mdns Runs Wkts
Sandeep Kuckreja 14.0 3 33 3
Russell Pendry 3.0 0 12 4
Peter Kloss 14.0 3 59 3
Eric Stoughton 6.0 0 42 0
Max Murrain 8.0 0 52 0
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