Grey Ashes – England O60s v Australia O60s – Match 5

The final match of the Grey Ashes was played on Thursday, with everything on the line, at 2 matches each. Australia won the toss and elected to field first. The pitch reporter felt that a score of 250 would be strong and defendible, but in view of the mountain or runs scored in the last several weeks, we felt that a score of 270 would be par and that England need 300 to make it really tough for the Aussies.

England started steadily at slowing and were 55 for 0 off of 15 overs, with Mel Hussain being the main protagonist in the opening partnership. He eventually fell for 74 off 68 deliveries having put on 129 with Neil Braithwaite. This coincided with a significant acceleration as 122 runs were scored of the next 15 overs with England on 177 for 2 off 30 overs with Neil Braithwaite making 61.

England had their eyes on that 300 score in the last 15 overs, but their nemesis, player of the series, Darren Smith, had other ideas. His 4 for 53 along with Alan Muggledon with 2 for 58, ensured that England lost some momentum to finish on 269 for 9 off 45 overs.

Australia would have been confident after that strong fightback in the final 15 overs but at tea the rain came in, and caused a long delay of over 3 hours. At 6.15pm, Australia were able to bat now needing 194 off 26 overs (DLS) to win the match.

However, Australia were soon in trouble at 7 for 2 off 2 overs losing both openers, Doug Murphy and Stephen Butler. It was left to Graeme Pavey and Darren Smith to rebuild the innings. This they did with strong running between the wickets and then starting to pick up the boundaries. Pavey went for 51 off 49 deliveries in the 19th over leaving Australia 133 for 3 but now in with a good chance of the win.

Other Australian batters came and went but with Smith still at the wicket the match was still in the balance. He eventually went for 97 off 74 balls but with Australia only needing 12 off 8 balls. But a wide of the last ball, then saw the follow-up delivery hit by Muggledon for 4.

7 required off 6 deliveries. Kevin Watson bowled Orlando & O’Reilly leaving Australia 8 down and still needing 7 runs now off 4 deliveries. Patterson and Muggledon took singles off the next two deliveries.

5 off 2 balls to win but 4 runs would result in a tie and Australia retaining the Ashes. The fifth ball went for 2. Patterson on strike with all results available. He hits it to the square leg boundary and they comfortably make 2 to get a tie and Australia retain the Grey Ashes in a thrilling match.

Disappointment for England but the series was played in a great spirit and despite being the fiercest rivals on the field, off the field the camaraderie between the two squads and supporters could be clearly seen.

A massive thank you needs to go to Andy & Vicky Murray, for organising the clubhouse and post-match dinner for the teams and entourage, to Mark Wiggett and Richard Wyatt for helping organise the club and ground in preparation for the match and also Judy Wiggett and Sue Wyatt for their help in preparing the club and providing the afternoon tea for the match. They also did bar duties during the day and were ably supported by Tom Clarke and Dan Mallett in the evening. A lot of work is done behind the scenes which many don’t realise. Thank you!

Uxbridge 2 v 1s

Match abandoned

2s v Burnham 3

Rain delayed the start and when play commenced a 31 over match per side was agreed. Burnham won the toss and elected to bat first. Tim Howson was the outstanding bowler taking 3 for 22 off 7 overs to keep the early innings in check. But Muhammad talha Gulzar (97 not out) and Habib Khan (60) compiled an impressive fourth wicket stand of 109 which enabled Burnham to reach 210 for 5 off 31 overs.

In response Toby Dodwell-Bennett scored 78 off 65 balls to keep Ascot in the chase but despite having wickets in hand, Ascot failed to get the boundaries in the latter overs to keep up with the run rate and fell disappointingly short on 189 for 3.

Maidenhead & Bray 4 v 3s

The 3s went to Maidenhead & Bray and the rain delay made it a 35 over a side match. Ascot won the toss and elected to field first. Early impetus to Maidenhead & Bray’s innings was provided by Prashant Sharma (59) and Abu Hussain (34). The middle and lower order chipped in, including 33 from Atharva Nippani to help them to 219 for 9 off 35 overs. Harry Winning taking 3 for 35.

Ascot started well with Jeremy Wing (59), Jacob Parry (25) and Thomas Brooke (21) but apart from Naeem Mohammad (18) no one else reached double figures and Ascot subsided to a 44 run defeat. Akbar Ali took 4 for 22 for the home side.

4s v Wraysbury 4

Rain meant that this match became a 30 over a side match and Ascot batted first after losing the toss. There 183 for 7 was built on two innings, opener Murray Barter (33) and Shivam Sinha making 74 not out off 53 balls.

In response, Wraysbury were grateful for Onkar Sudrik’s quick fire 56 in 44 balls to give the Wraysbury innings early impetus and keep them above the run rate. After his departure, the lower order chipped in to see Wraysbury home by 4 wickets and 9 deliveries.