ICCC.

Report vs ICCC

Match Report
Date 31/07/16 
Oppo ICCC (a)
Type 40 Overs
Report by Matt Hiscock

Following last weeks staggering cancellation on the morning of the game by Blackrose Highgate, 
the O’s returned to action to take on Ilford Catholics at the Barkingside Rec.
The O’s were officially the away side for this fixture having beaten the Catholics in the opening 
fixture of the season which meant O’s players took the unusual task of placing their cricket bags 
in the visitors changing rooms and just as most had got their head around this task, skipper 
Liam Mulholland caused complete pandemonium by refusing to move his bag which was already carefully 
positioned in the home dressing room. As a result the other 21 players involved then had to switch 
dressing rooms! A disgusted O’s player was heard saying….’’That’s it…from now on I am coming to games 
already dressed in whites!’’
Mulholland did win the toss though and elected to bat giving the chance to Mo Zaman and Jay Williams 
to open the innings and they got off to a fine start. Smashing boundaries and both looking in tip top 
form, the O’s were 117 without loss after 20 overs and it was difficult to see where a wicket was coming 
from but Williams (55) got one that kept low from Waqas and was bowled first ball after drinks. This 
brought country boy Blakey to the crease who showed his intent immediately smashing a huge straight drive 
but after a few nice boundaries he went for a massive slog taking his eye off the ball and was stumped for 
19 off the bowling from Manchanda. Zaman (56) also went shortly after having just scored his 50 after a 
low delivery got the better of him. The potential 200 plus score then looked more of a challenge and the O’s 
run rate slowed as Manchanda crowded the wicket for the introduction of young Ollie Marsh. Marsh played a 
determined innings though and was eventually caught having scored his first runs for the O’s (Well done Ollie). 
Humphrey (26NO)played the shot of the innings showing incredible timing and flicking a six off the bowling of 
Waqas  which saw the ball go over the top of the clubhouse (impressive!), although some say it was off his pad. 
Mulholland came to crease following the wicket of Marsh and was caught off the bowling of Barot for 2…….
Whittam soon followed after falling LBW to Barot for 4 meaning the late collapse saw the O’s finish on 190 
for 6 off their 40 overs.
A splendid tea by Gordon Graham was well received and with the weather turning a bit nippy, a few of the O’s 
players opted to get their jumpers for the second innings.
Mulholland opened with Revell and Hillier and it was Revell who kept things tight at one end whilst Hillier 
got smashed at the other. Having returned from the Caribbean, it was clear that Hillier has been working on 
his Malcolm Marshall bouncer, however with the speed gun working backwards the new improved bouncer was more 
of a triple bouncer as Hillier struggled to adapt to the return of British conditions. Mulholland quickly made 
a change and brought on Matt Hiscock who tightened things up and was rewarded with the first wicket when he trapped 
Stephan LBW. Revell (0-10) at the other end continued a good spell keeping the Catholics under pressure and when 
Hiscock (2-22) picked up his second wicket following a good Blake catch at mid-on the Caths were under pressure. 
With Hiscock and Revell finishing their 8 over spells and the Catholics behind the required run rate, Mulholland 
brought on the two Olivers….Graham and Marsh. Marsh (0-46) continued to bowl as he has done all season with a steady 
line and length. Graham on the other hand has turned into a nasty piece of work since going to university. 
The endless array of beamers made Dan Auton look like a softie and Graham decided he would really turn the screw when 
Barot who was already carrying an injury caught another full bunger right on his spine….Painful. Unfortunatly these 
full deliveries were being tucked away for runs and Mulholland was now becoming increasingly concerned that the 
Catholics were edging closer to a victory. Graham (4-0-31-2)did pick up a couple of wickets though before his spell 
was cut short as Hiscock took an excellent catch on the boundary to remove the wounded Barot before Graham bowled 
Karthik with another full delivery.
Mulholland (3-0-19-1)came on and picked up the wicket of Ganesh with a smart catch at slip by Hillier but by this 
stage Rajiv Manchanda was scoring comfortably and quickly. The O’s did give themselves a huge chance as Manchanda 
smashed one in the air but unfortunately Zaman dropped an absolute sitter meaning Manchanda would see the Catholics 
home with an impressive unbeaten 51 not out!
How on earth the O’s lost that one in the last 15 overs is staggering!!!!!!!!……….
Bring on the tour (pack your rain macs) with Capricorn next weekend!

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© Dave Revell