Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

Peter Kloss reporting

Washington's batting improved significantly on Saturday but it was not enough to achieve an overdue victory.

Skipper Aff Naseem won the toss and chose to field on what looked like a very dodgy pitch on Barnes Common. However the pitch played far better than expected and Barnes amassed 229 for the loss of only 3 wickets, 2 of which were run outs. Wash didn't bowl particularly badly but they did drop several catches and the total could have been 30-50 runs lower. Despite not taking a wicket, Luke Mitchell's figures of only 7 runs from 7 overs were remarkable and his efforts deserved greater reward. He bowled with excellent pace and control and passed the bat numerous times.

When Wash batted they got off to a really bad start, Ash Cruickshank and Devesh Dutt both going for golden ducks. However Sudeep Rana (47) and Aff Naseem (38) put on an excellent partnership of 81 in good time. But then 2 wickets fell quickly and Washington were 91 for 4 at the halkway point. Kloss (27) joined Naseem and they pushed the score on with a 45 partnership to 138 with 10 overs left.

The rate required was now 9 an over and the Washington innings then fell away rather, despite the efforts of Ian Relf (12), Stuart Marsh (16) and Stephen Coyle (10). The Wash were all out for 183 in the 34th over.

Skipper Naseem said after the game "it was good to see a better batting performance this week with a couple of solid partnerships. I guess though it wasn't enough and we probably let them score too many due to dropped catches and some inconsistent bowling."

Man of the match: Sudeep for his 47, although it would have gone to Mitchell had he had more luck with the ball

Packing the kit: One of the Wash openers who wasn't there to do the deed...