Saturday 16th May 2009 vs Cassowaries C.C.
 
Gabbo on Target
 
Cassowaries C.C. 145 all out (37.4 overs)
Washington C.C. 146 for 6 (31.1 overs)
 

Washington won against the odds versus Cassowaries on Saturday thanks to a great bowling performance and 5 wicket haul from debutant Chris Gabbert (nicknamed Gabbo). Playing in deepest Essex at Fairlop, the Wash immediately put themselves at a disadvantage by only having 9 players available. Skipper Tony Kiwi then lost the toss and the Cassowaries decided to bat on a green but flat-looking pitch. The weather was overcast, and a strong wind blowing across the playing fields made it a chilly, 2 jumper day (at least for those who have them!)

Peter Kloss (1-21) and Sandeep Kuckreja (0-19) opened the bowling and the first 10 overs was more or less stalemate, Cassowaries advancing to 30 for no loss against the tight bowling. Kloss achieved the first breakthrough, bowled and then a great run out by Chris Davis brought the score to 71 for 2 after 20 overs. By this time Steve Coyle (0-27) and Russell Pendry (1-42) had taken over the bowling and, despite going for a few runs, were definitely causing problems for the batsmen. The slower paced bowling seemed to be just the thing on this slow pitch.

Pendry grabbed an LBW decision and then the course of the match turned when newcomer Chris Gabbert (Gabbo) took the ball at 107 for 4. Chris had reported at the start of the match that he was a “batsman who bowls a bit”, and would give skipper Kiwi “a couple of overs if he really needed them”. So, expectations were not particularly high, but Gabbo bowled a batsman with his first ball for the Wash, took 2 wickets in his first over, and 10 overs later Cassowaries were all out for 145! His medium paced bowling proved most accurate and penetrative and definitely too much for the opposition lower order. His figures were 5 for 18 with 3 caught and 2 bowled; a fantastic performance and everyone was left wondering what his batting would be like!

Chris Davis (1-13) also chipped in with a few overs and the total of 145 looked a bit below par, but then Wash were only 9 players.

After tea, Kiwi Harris (5) and Ash Cruickshank (5) opened up for the Wash. Cruickshank was bowled after a most rash shot across the line, reminiscent of 20-20 evening cricket, and Kiwi chipped one up to mid-on. The mantle was taken up by Brian White (28) and Chris Gabbert (31) who built a solid partnership of 40 over 11 overs.  But then White, Chris Davis (2) and Gabbert all departed and Wash found themselves at 89 for 5 with 3 wickets left (being only 9 players). At this point the match could have gone either way, with Cassowaries probably slight favourites. The batsmen had found the slower, spin bowling of Cassowaries more difficult, not being able to use the pace of the ball, having to wait to play their shots, and being deceived sometimes by the slow spin both ways.

There were plenty of overs left, and the run rate required was only 3.1 runs per over.  Sandeep Kuckreja (62*) followed a policy of blocking the good balls and hitting the bad for boundaries. Sandeep has a fantastic eye for the ball and was able to do this with good effect, hitting ten 4s and two 6s in his innings. It was equally important though to hold up the other end and this was done ably by Steve Coyle (5) and Peter Kloss (0*).  Kloss blocked 12 balls for his no runs.

There was a heart-stopping moment for the Wash when Sandeep was dropped in the deep with around 20 runs still needed. But ultimately the win was achieved by 2 wickets and with 8 overs still remaining.

Kiwi said after the game “a good win for us with only 9, but it was touch and go for a while and thanks to Sandeep for hitting us out of trouble. Superb debut for Chris Gabbo – hope to see him back soon.”

Man of the Match: Chris Gabbo for a great 5-fer on debut

Packing the kit: A close call between Chris Davis, for being 40 minutes late, and Brian White, for relieving himself in the outfield when batting

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Batting
Player Runs How out
Tony Harris 5 Caught
Ash Cruickshank 5 Bowled
Brian White 28 Caught
Chris Gabbert 31 Caught
Chris Davis 2 Bowled
Sandeep Kuckreja 62* 
Stephen Coyle 5 Caught
Peter Kloss 0* 
Did Not Bat
Russell Pendry
Partnerships
Wkt Runs Batsmen
1 7 Tony Harris  &  Ash Cruickshank
2 18 Tony Harris  &  Brian White
3 40 Brian White  &  Chris Gabbert
4 4 Chris Gabbert  &  Chris Davis
5 19 Chris Gabbert  &  Sandeep Kuckreja
6 33 Sandeep Kuckreja  &  Stephen Coyle
7 24 * Sandeep Kuckreja  &  Peter Kloss



Fielding
Player Cts Wkt Cts Stmps
Stephen Coyle 1 - -
Chris Gabbert 1 - -
Brian White 1 - -
Bowling
Player Overs Mdns Runs Wkts
Sandeep Kuckreja 6.0 1 19 0
Russell Pendry 6.0 0 42 1
Peter Kloss 8.0 2 21 1
Chris Davis 4.0 0 13 1
Stephen Coyle 8.0 1 27 0
Chris Gabbert 5.4 0 18 5
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