Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

Stu 'Swampy' Marsh reports:

Off the back of a resounding win the weekend before, the Wash headed West under leaden skies for a declaration game against Hetaroi, whom we've played with a good measure of success since 2007.  The rain fell for most of the drive there, but come game time, the BBC reports proved correct, and although the sun shone there was one 'swamp-like' patch close in that would not dry, this being the only poor (in a relative sense) part of the field. The pitch was true and provided both teams with consistent, if slightly low bounce.

Captain Kloss lost the toss and his 9+1 team were asked to field.  The nine being paid up members, which for such a great setting seems extraordinary from 30+ paid up members, although this was actually a feature of the day as the locals could also only muster 9 players to their ranks.  The plus 1 being Wash debutant Andy James, son of Mr Bill James, who played for the Wash during the 70's and 80's.  AJ just happened to be on English shores for a work junket, but look out for him again in 2015 when he'll be bringing his own Sydney-based team to the UK for some Wash match-ups during the Ashes series.

Kloss and Murrain opened the bowling against openers who were determined to score from the get-go, striking as they did some well timed aerial blows down the ground.  However, Kloss in his 8 over spell, consistently beat the bat and it was not long before his superb length and swing was rewarded with 3 wickets, a simple catch for Max at short fine leg, a fabulous low caught  behind by keeper James Cook and a solid LBW shout.   Max created several chances but was unlucky, with several tough chances going to ground. 

Dugmore, off the back of 500miles in the saddle, was brought on for a short spell of great pace and he troubled the batsmen immediately, taking one wicket with a catch at first slip that was juggled briefly by the author before a firm hold.  Andy 'AJ' James was brought on and remarkably, trapped one of Hetaroi's quality mid-order batters LBW with his first ball.  He would follow this with a Russ Pendry catch at mid-off in his very next over, to leave Hetaroi at 84-6 at drinks. 

They would go 7 down not long after the interval from a quality stumping by Cook off spinner Kripps.  At this point, Captain Kloss allowed the oppo to bring on one of their earlier batsmen to make up the numbers, as one of their depleted stock had by this time failed to arrive.  This was the right thing to do, but the oft wayward bowling during this period was not,.  The 'new' batsman and Hetaroi's elder statesman punished all bad balls after the older gent retired hurt, they would continue briefly, declaring with at a formidable 165-7.

This was always going to be a tough ask for a Wash team with limited recognised batting, but during tea we discussed the need to get a solid start.  However, events did not quite go to plan.  A silly run was attempted in the very first over and striker Cook was found well short diving back to his crease.  Walsh joined Dugmore at the crease and these two looked comfortable for several overs before Clint played across the line, clipping the ball onto his pads and unfortunately, also the stumps. 

Ash lasted only a few balls before an attempted leave which found the toe of the bat and the waiting hands of their second slipper.  Marsh and Walsh were brought together and these two set about building a small partnership until Walsh (22) holed out at mid-off just shy of drinks.  Murrain joined Marsh for a short period but was trapped LBW for no runs which brought captain Kloss to the crease.  Marsh, who despite giving Hetaroi two tough chances early on, settled into some fluid stroke-making for his 37 runs, however he would be stumped after missing an attempted hoik over mid-wicket. 

Kloss was determined to salvage a draw from the wreckage and played with his usual grit.  AJ shared a brief stint with him but was trapped LBW without offering a shot to one he thought was missing leg.  With 6 overs to go, Pendry did wonderfully well to hold up an end and the Wash, after an up and down day, were ultimately content with a draw.

Skipper Kloss lamented that "we let them back into the game to build a solid total, when only 2 wickets were needed , which would have made for a completely different approach at the death - not necessarily a win mind you."

Man of the Match:  Kloss for superb bowling and resolute defence.