Matching Green CC.

Report vs Matching Green CC

Match Report
Date 28/06/26 
Oppo Matching Green CC (a)
Type 35 overs
Report by Frank Abagnale
 
Following last weeks defeat at Hatfield Peverel, the O’s were forced to make changes in a 35 over match at Matching Green.
 
Ian Richardson came back into the side as skipper and given there was only one Matching Green player onsite 2 mins before the scheduled start, he decided 
to take the opportunity to present three O’s stalwarts Matt Hiscock, Danny Whittam and Sandeep Barot with their honours caps. A very moving occasion and 
Edgy in particular was in tears. We assumed it was because of his pride at scoring 3000+ runs for LOSCC but in actual fact it was simply because he 
realised he would now need to bin his much loved, dried out, dog chewed Ilford Catholics cap and actually wear some club LOSCC attire after a decade of 
service!
 
As we approached 2pm and the young Matching Green colts warming up in the nets having already played a 40 over match in the morning, the O’s opened the 
innings with Alex Baker-Merry and Paul Smith. Sadly ABM was bowled for a fifth ball duck bringing Pratham Bhatia to the crease. Prats and Smith nudged it 
around for a while until PB was caught (28) and Smith was bowled for a very patient (41). Barot (7) fell quickly after looping one into the sky and Hiscock 
was given out LBW by John ‘Trigger’ Hayes for a duck. O’s were in a spot of bother at 92-5.  
 
Kaas Malik (39) went out to bat and in fairness he did well ticking up the scoreboard particularly with additional responsibilities of having a vape in 
between deliveries and taking phone calls at the end of the each over. It was a warm afternoon and personally I think Kaas was fully entitled to insist on 
the innovative World Cup additional hydration breaks following every single with an prompt instruction to his teammates of ‘Oi…Get me some water now innit’ 
– Richardson looked unimpressed but the O’s had crawled up to 128 before the skipper was caught for 17.
 
Matching skipper Ollie Hartnell came on and quickly dismissed Clapton and Hayes leaving a nice little cameo opportunity for Ollie Buck who scored 11 until 
he was crazily run out by Malik. Kaas wasn’t finished there though and criminally decided to run himself out with 3 balls to spare as the O’s were all out 
for 180.
 
Matching Green teas are legendary and it was no surprise to see Al Wicks (Not even playing in this fixture) wander over just as the tea was prepared “I 
can’t have too much son as I’m on a strict diet ” said Al as he demolished 5 sandwiches, 2 large scones with Jam and Cream, a huge slice of Lemon Cake, 
four slices of pizza and six sausage rolls.  
 
‘Auntie Kim’ was also in attendance as was Orient Braces and they were all thoroughly entertained when the O’s took the wicket of the dangerous Finn 
Wood-Law who somehow toed a very wide Buck delivery straight into the grasp of Hiscock – What a result – At least 100 runs and a few matchballs saved!
 
Clapton (2-35) was rewarded soon after with a couple of well deserved wickets following a very tidy spell and MG were 27-3 with one of the key dangerman 
gone! John Hayes replaced Buck and similar to Clapton did a solid job keeping things tight with the young MG players showing solid technique but the more 
experienced MG batsman struggling to find boundaries. As drinks arrived and dispute over how many overs had been bowled finally resolved, Matching required 
run rate was creeping up needing 100 off the last 17 overs.  
 
Malik and Richardson were introduced to the attack and Matching started to tick up the run rate despite Richardson (1-32) picking up the wicket of Foster 
with an excellent C&B. This was a key turning point as MG skipper Ollie Hartnell arrived at the crease and wasted no time in crashing boundaries. Hiscock 
came on and picked up the wicket of the experienced McCann.
 
With whispers of MG losing a player due to homework requirements, only three wickets were required for the O’s to see victory.
 
Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for……2.5 years, 25 appearances and 39 dropped attempts……..Matty (2-53) lobbed on up and the batsman (A Galley) 
crashed the ball into the sky. A majestic leap at mid-wicket from Oliver ‘Tom Daley’ Buck clung onto the ball mid-air, full stretch for catch of the 
century. As the entire ground applauded, even Kaas had to end his phone call mid conversation to congratulate Buck on this historic moment.
 
Sadly for the O’s though, Hartnell was not done and boundaries rained all over as they edged closer to the target. The penultimate over of carnage from 
Hartnell six, dot, six, four, dot, two had done the damage as he finished on a impressive and destructive 81 Not out as Matching won by two wickets with 
three balls to spare.
 
Post game socials were in full force with Buck sat outside the pavilion smoking a Cuban cigar signing autographs one by one and taking selfies with the 
nearby residents who’d witnessed the special moment and wanted to meet the great man.
 
Meanwhile the Matching Green youngsters having already played two full games of cricket and seen off 150 overs on a hot afternoon decided it was time for 
some further practice in the nets – No wonder they’re good!
 
A missed opportunity for the O’s but a nice afternoon.
 
Next up Essendon…….
  
 

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© Dave Revell