Cricket: Batsmen go mad, as nearly 500 runs scored

Posted on August 22, 2012

This week saw the Sunday eleven travel to the civil parish of Bridens Camp to play Great Gaddesden who they had beaten comfortably just weeks before. A beautiful setting awaited the team on a glorious day. The Crown and Sceptre pub teased the players with the promise of a rewarding pint, but only after a match had taken place.

The Great Gaddesden skipper won the toss against the trumpeting JMc and elected to bat. Peacock jr. was not present at the toss, instead taking up residence in the away team toilet as the previous night's antics took effect!

GG Openers Hill and Bolton proved a challenge early as rapid-fire scoring commenced. Opening bowlers Tickell and Roff bowled well, but with a quick outfield, runs were readily available. Hill picked up his 50 before being bowled by Cee-lo Green. Bolton went to the Sunday veteran Ian Jones for 27 caught behind by a sore headed Mcdermid. Captain Cheeseman came in and played his shots before being expertly caught by a half-asleep Jones at square leg off the bowling of the colourful Peacock.R! Barm had stated that the ball moved at the speed of light, which in turn, made an incision in his finger, prompting talk of a potential hospital trip, which skip Peacock cruelly rejected. In strolled number 4 Plummer, with a selection of powerfully struck shots which the Bray bowlers had no answer to, as he went on his merry way to 117 not out. It wasn't all doom and gloom as Ollie Sirett picked up 3 fantastic wickets to build on his 2 wicket haul in his previous outing the week before.

The Bray opened their innings with the brothers Peacock. Josh set about his task quickly and began to send the ball to the boundary with some classy shot-making. He approached 50 as his brother looked to support by pushing runs in to gaps and rotating strike. Ryan's aerobic ability was being severely tested as the younger, fitter brother almost finished him off with some energetic running between the wickets as Bray kept up with the run-rate, which was being matched as a partnership of 100 came up from 12 overs. The two continued in the same fashion seeing the partnership go past the 150 mark. Josh made his century a few balls on but was undone as he attempted a 6 over cow, caught on the boundary by the oppo's centurion. He was heard remarking "I'm rubbish at slogging" as he walked off, which is probably true! The opening stand ceased at 154. At this point Bray were on for chasing the 274 total, although the next three batsman came and went without mustering many runs. They did however, importantly support Ryan as he went on to score his Maiden 50. Those in attendance were quickly reaching for tissues as his bat was raised. Tickell came in and attacked hitting 15 from 5 balls before falling to Cheeseman who quickly accounted for Ollie's old man John and "Pro" Green. With the sun setting on Bray's chances, the tail came and went without wagging. Ryan was still there at the close on 74*.

A truly good game of cricket played in the right way, in Caribbean-like temperatures!!

*?!! *?!/***!!!!!!! - 22/08/2012

Scorecard

• Result: Great Gaddesden CC - 1st XI Won by 58 runs
• Date: Sun 19th Aug 2012
• Start Time: 14:00
• Ground: Briden's Camp
• Type: Friendly
• Scoring: Standard
• Toss: Great Gaddesden CC - 1st XI won the toss and decided to bat
• Highlights: Ollie Sirett 3 wickets, Josh Peacock 101, Ryan Peacock 74*

Source: Eaton Bray Cricket Club