Scorecard

Optimists Cricket Club Optimists (Club side) v Nijmegen CC on Sat 07 May 2011 at 13:30
Optimists Cricket Club Won by 52 runs

Match report On Saturday afternoon, the Optimists hosted Nijmegen Cricket Club from the Netherlands as they toured Luxembourg for the week-end in a 40 over game.

Skipper, Richard Neale won the toss and decided to let the players of Nijmegen stretch their legs in the field after their four hour car journey! Robert Deed and Sebastien Finch strode out to open for the Optimists XI and both looked in very good touch. Deed especially playing some powerful cut shots and drives through the covers looked very comfortable and after 13 overs the Optimists were 72 without loss. Finch finally succumbed to a fine catch after scoring 40 which brought Jeroen Van der Knoop to the wicket. Deed and Van der Knoop continued to punish the bowling until Deed was eventually run out for a 49 – jug avoidance if you ever you had seen it!

By this time, Van der Knoop was in his stride and smashing the bowling to all parts of the ground. Wayne Codd came in to replace Deed and soon joined in. Codd and Van der Knoop played some terrific shots with Van der Knoop bringing up his half century in very quick time. He was eventually bowled for an excellent and personal best of 83 that was hit off just 50 balls. Richard Neale and Codd saw the Optimists innings to the close with Codd scoring a very quick fifty off only 34 balls which included 7 fours and Neale ended on 21 off 9 balls. A formidable target of 261 was set for Nijmegen to chase.

With a new ball in his hand, Steve Evans looked every bit the opening quick bowler, especially with 3 slips and 2 gullies! Bowling to an 8-1 field Evans was able to generate a number of edges, unfortunately the slips and gullies were also equally adept at dropping a number of edges! Evans always looked dangerous though and ended up reverting to having to just rely on himself and bowled out the two opening batsmen.

Chris Evans bowled beautifully and was able to generate some excellent turn and bounce. C. Evans bowled a perfect length throughout his spell and ended up taking three wickets. He bamboozled the batsman at times, and gave an excellent demonstrate of how to bowl leg-spin.

Nijmegen never really looked like getting the runs so with attacking fields, Mark Smith, Phil Burleigh, Ali Sidiqqui and Jeroen Van der Knoop all did their best to take wickets and go for the outright win but it was not to be. At the end of the 40 overs Nijmegen ended up on 209-6.

It was a very enjoyable game that was played in very good spirits. Robert Deed won the Man of the Match award for his excellent knock of 49 that set the platform for the middle-order to play with freedom.
The players and supporters then retired to the Pavilion where a fantastic BBQ was provided where every excuse going was cited for the dropped catches! It was a great day of cricket and we hope that Nijmegen will return next year.

Optimists Cricket Club Optimists (Club side) Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 3 wickets
0
261		        
Wayne Codd Not Out  52
Jai Gianchandani X  
Richard Neale Not Out  21 2
Jeroen Van der Knoop Caught  83 1
Robert Deed Run out  49
Christopher Evans  
Steve Evans  
Sebastian Finch Caught  40
Ali Ejaz Siddiqui  
Mark Smith  
Phillip Burleigh  

Nijmegen CC Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Nijmegen CC Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 6 wickets
0
209 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Optimists Cricket Club Optimists (Club side) Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Steve Evans8.0031215.503.87
Ali Ejaz Siddiqui5.002000.004.00
Christopher Evans11.0049316.334.45
Mark Smith4.002800.007.00
Phillip Burleigh10.025300.005.30
Jeroen Van der Knoop2.002200.0011.00

  • Umpire :
  • Scorer :
    Mick Swithinbank
 
Photos and video of Optimists Cricket Club Optimists (Club side) v Nijmegen CC on Sat 07 May 2011 at 13:30

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A sign of intent