Binsted vs Frimley Green Cricket Club - Sunday 27th May 2018, 14:00

FGCC finally got the opportunity to play Binsted in splendid conditions after last season’s folly in the rain. On a sticky sunny day the afternoon started well for Frimley Green with Captain Mark winning the toss and electing to bat first and hopefully make Binsted toil in the heat. Tim & Mark once again opened but found runs hard to come by initially on what proved to be a slow wicket with variable bounce, meaning patience was the order of the day. Mark was eventually bowled for 5 by the first change bowler Butler in the 12th over bringing Adam Jones to the crease at 32-1. Adam batted fluently, racking up 29 runs before he was snared by a ball that stayed low and was edged onto his stumps in the 26th over 92-2. Shiva then joined Jones Snr at the crease helping to add another 11 runs before Tim was run out at the non-striker end on 42, after a calling mix up for a quick single. Enter debutant Kaarthav Madabhushi. Shiva then started taking the game to Binsted, batting fluently before another running mix-up which resulted in Kaarthav unfortunately being run out whilst attempting a cheeky 2nd run. Anam then smashed a quick fire 28, ably supported by Shiva with 29 before both were out leaving the score at 167-6. The tail wagged slightly at the end adding another 19 runs to finish on 186 all out on the last ball of the 38th over. We were then hosted to a lovely tea (rating 8.5) before resuming the field brimming with confidence knowing we had at least 6 quality bowlers to choose from. Anu & Bradley opened for us, both bowling full and straight, Bradley stunning Binsted opener Coetzee by bowling him with his first delivery. Binsted’s Blackwell & Hinsherwood then dug in and managed to negotiate the first 11 overs without further loss before Anam was introduced into the attack. His extra pace combining with low bounce then trapped dangerman Hinsherwood LBW for 30, bringing the L/H skipper Knight to the crease. At the other end, Anu completed his 8 overs straight through, deserving of a wicket, but alas not to be today. Mark then asked 14yr old debutant Kaarthav to turn his arm. His first over was a steady start against the L/H skipper. His second over was against the R/H opener Blackwell who decided to attack the young man, only to drive a thick outside edge just to the left of Shiva at Gully, who made a difficult catch look easy 58-3. Kaarthav’s 3rd over was then just magical to witness, 3rd ball-wicket lbw, 4th ball wicket, bowled, and 6th ball wicket lbw, leaving Binsted stunned at 68-6. Then in the next over just before the drinks break, Anam began to really steam in forcing an outside edge from the Binsted skipper that flew low straight into the cupped hands of Tim at 1st slip, 69-7 at drinks 21 overs gone. After drinks, Kaarthav continued to just bowl line & length, bowling 2 further batsman and eventually forcing a skied drive back over the head of the bowler and the catch was never in doubt with Anu under it. That was 7 for 20 for the young man, and victory for FGCC. A real good game of “village cricket”, played in a lovely setting and stunning views and in a great spirit by both sides. Well done to everyone who took part in this one. Look out for this one when the 2019 fixtures come out!