Tuesday 1st May, 2018 saw battle re-commence between Leeds/Bradford MCCU and Cardiff MCCU following the exciting one day game yesterday. This time it was a two day game in the MCCU championship. Cardiff won the toss and elected to bat in cold and windy conditions again, but with some glimpses of sunshine. They certainly made the best of what proved to be an excellent batting wicket and after openers Harper and Ludlow had put on 68 for the first wicket it came as something of a surprise when Harper was bowled by the Lancastrian Houghton for 32.
This brought together Joe Ludlow who had batted so well yesterday and Harry Allen, who turns out to be yet another Surrey 2nd player from Epsom College. This pair proceeded to bat together for three and a half hours putting on 224 runs in the process. Both played proper cricket, technically correct forward defensive shots were played to the good balls and the bad balls were punished unmercifully. Ludlow was very adept at pushing the ball into the gaps on the offside and gently picking up singles at will without very much effort.
Ludlow was finally run out for a splendid innings of 155 when the total became 292-2. His partner Allen, reached his century just after tea and went for 122 stumped by Potticarry off Haynes with the total by then 341-3. Enter skipper Alex Milton, batsman and wicketkeeper from Worcestershire. He added to the mayhem in the final session of the day going to 94 not out off just sixty balls with thirteen fours and one six. He was robbed of a century by bad light which stopped play shortly before the scheduled close of play. Cardiff had by then amassed the considerable total of 455-4.
Leeds/Bradford's opening bowlers took a bit of stick, but the three spinners Killoran, Haynes and Maciver all stuck to their task well and Killoran in particular, who bowled 28 overs, was unlucky not to get a wicket.
Unfortunately the following day had seen persistent day during the night and for the early part of the day. Inspections went on at regular intervals and, despite a women's game taking part on the neighbouring number two ground, play was finally called off at four p.m. and the game abandoned as a draw.
As mentioned above we did not go without cricket on Wednesday, as the women's game on Weetwood's second ground went ahead in the afternoon with Leeds/Bradford MCCU taking on Durham MCCU in a thirty five over game. The sun shone almost continually throughout this game and the neighbouring hedge provided excellent protection from the wind making the afternoon session one of the most pleasant we have enjoyed for some time.
Good cricket from both sides with some very good fielding in particular. Leeds/Bradford made 150-8 and seemed in danger of defeat when the Durham openers put on a good 50 plus opening partnership. However after they were out the rest of the side departed rather quickly leaving the home side victors by 35 runs.
During the interval we questioned umpire Barry Oliver about his positioning at the bowler's end where he appeared to be standing a long way back from the stumps. As ever he had an answer to everything. Firstly there was a very soggy patch close to the stumps and secondly by standing further back not only could he clearly see the no ball line, but did not have to move his head when assessing an lbw appeal. He feels this should be practised by certain first class umpires who if watched closely can be seen moving their heads at the moment of delivery. Ask a silly question and get a comprehensive answer !
No comments:
Post a Comment