Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

Washington returned to winning ways on Saturday against West Londoners, Northfields thanks to an outstanding effort from Sandeep Kuckreja. He was the mainstay of the batting, scoring 125, and then grabbed 4 wickets with the ball.

Sandeep’s innings included 6 sixes and 14 fours as he completely dominated the Northfields attack, and lost several cricket balls in adjoining gardens! No other batsman came close to mastering the bowling, the next highest individual score being only 20.

When he bowled, Sandeep ripped through the Northfields middle order and ensured that Washington’s victory was quite comfortable.

Wash captain, Tony Harris won the toss and decided to bat given sunny weather and a good looking wicket. Harris himself went for 4 in the fourth over, followed by Steve Brown (4) in the eighth. Aff Naseem (14) and Lee Fogarty (20) then put on a good partnership before Sandeep came to the wicket in the 14^th over and began his onslaught. Ash Cruickshank (6) stayed with Sandeep a little while, in fact they put on a 51 run partnership, but there was little support overall as no one was able to establish themselves. Debutant Peter Monard (4), Brad Hitchcock (4), Peter Kloss (0), Gary Malcolm (0) and Russell Pendry (0*) were the other batsmen.

Sandeep was out on the very last ball of the innings, caught on the midwicket boundary, unselfishly going for yet another big 6.

When Northfields batted Peter Kloss (1-24) and Russell Pendry (1-31) opened the bowling for Washington. The batting side progressed reasonably comfortably to 64 for 1 in the 14^th over, the solitary wicket falling to Pendry courtesy of the most incredible catch by Lee Fogarty. The batsman skied one very high into the outfield. Fogarty seemed to have completely misjudged his position but somehow he was able to stretch his right hand above his head, falling back at the same time, and the ball smacked into his hand and stuck there. Fogarty got up off the floor and to everyone’s amazement he had the ball! The fieldsmen all rushed to congratulate him.

Sandeep then replaced Pendry and made an immediate impact, taking two quick wickets bowled. Kloss also gained just reward for a couple of dropped catches and some LBW appeals turned down, with a wicket. Two more wickets from Sandeep, who the batsmen were finding completely unplayable, ensured that Northfields were now struggling with 6 down and still over 100 runs to get. There was a significant partnership of around 40 for the 7^th wicket, broken by Gary Malcolm (1-12) and the rest of the innings was mopped up by Steve Brown (3-6). Peter Monard (0-39) also bowled well and his performance promises much for the future.

Northfields ended on 140 all out with almost 6 of their 40 overs remaining. Skipper Harris was delighted after the game, saying “Great to return to winning ways after a few losses in recent weeks. Sandeep was truly superb today. His innings was the best I’ve seen in a while for the Wash and to cap it with 4 wickets as well is really outstanding. Well done.”

Man of the match: Sandeep Kuckreja

Packing the kit: Paul Irons for pulling out of the team at 11am on Saturday morning (but he did find a replacement)

Washington:  Tony Harris (c), Aff Naseem, Steve Brown, Lee Fogarty, Sandeep Kuckreja, Ash Cruickshank, Peter Monard, Brad Hitchcock (+), Peter Kloss, Gary Malcolm, Russell Pendry