Peter Kloss reporting
Wash had a déjà vu moment on Saturday as they lost to Willow Way by 30-something runs. This was highly similar to the way in which they had lost to Surrey Lankians in 2010 (see match report at http://www.washingtoncc.org/stats/index.cfm?fuseaction=result&gid=616 ). The connection? Basically Willow Way are the Surrey Lankians re-born, comprising many of the same players.
It was an overcast day in South West London, and the game was played on a council pitch near Raynes Park – changing rooms were not a luxury in evidence. Given that though the pitch was ok, slow due to the rain in the preceding week, but generally true in bounce.
Debutant Wash skipper, Stuart Marsh, won the toss and elected to field.
Wickets did not come quickly as Willows started confidently and kept up a steady scoring rate of 4 an over. Luke Mitchell (2-35) and Peter Kloss (1-32) were the bowlers. Kloss got the eventual breakthrough in the 12th over, but then a big partnership ensued and it was not till around the 25th over, with the score well over 100 that Andrew Anderson (1-26) gained the next wicket. Indeed Anderson, relatively new to the club, was the pick of the bowlers on this day, using his height, near perfect medium pace action, and his accuracy to great effect; there is more than a passing resemblance to Glenn Mcgrath...
Stuart Marsh (1-45), Andrew Speck (0-27) and Sudeep Rana (0-30) were the other bowlers used. Speck took 2 excellent catches in the deep, cementing his reputation as a really strong all round cricketer. Willow Way completed their 40 overs with 197 for 6 on the board.
After the break, the opening partnership and Shyam and Sudeep commenced proceedings. However Sudeep (1) went quickly unfortunately. However a strong partnership ensued with Shyam (55) and Andrew Speck (33) putting on 66 in 20 overs. This was a bit behind the required run rate, but was exactly the sort of steady foundation the Wash innings required. Both the partners played well with the pull shot on this slow wicket being particularly productive.
Aff Naseem (27*) was the next man in but initially no-one could stay with him, Chad Bhaskar (3) and Andrew Stanwell (0) departing cheaply. At this point unfortunately the run rate required had crept up to unmanageable proportions, with 85 required from the last 8 overs. Aff found a partner for a period in the 3rd Andrew in the side, Andrew Anderson (13), but then he and Peter Kloss (0) went in the space of 2 balls.
Naseem and Luke Mitchell (12*) stroked a few balls around in the closing overs but it was not enough and Washington fell 39 runs short on 158 for 7.
After the game skipper Marsh said “F***, c***, s***. I guess they were a bit too strong for us today. I can’t point to any particular failings on our side, but I think on another day we could have beaten them. I look forward to the opportunity again in future years. Well done to Shyam for his 50 and to Andrew Anderson who bowled really well and deserved more wickets.”
Man of the match: Shyam Pushpanath for his 55
