2nd XI Vs Shenfield

Shock selection news, as inspirational skipper Walker was declared unfit to play.  Walford (Richard) was called up from the 3s and Boon junior assumed the captaincy.  The great man was at the ground to deliver another of his inspirational monologues to the team, set strategy and do an umpiring stint at square leg.

Boon junior won the toss and batted first.

In this 45 over format it is good to be positive from the start, and Welham was promoted to opener in a pinch hitter role.  Pinch hit he did, scoring a brisk 34 from just 16 balls, featuring 5 fours and 2 sixes.  When he fell caught off Winder in the 4th over the score was 44.  Shenfield then consolidated well as the ball softened.  Sach and Maxwell put together a patient stand of 50 (featuring sixteen consecutive dot balls from Maxwell, and eighteen consecutive dot balls from Sach) before Sach fell for 22 from 61 balls in the twentieth over.

Boon junior was caught for just 3 ushering Bell to the crease in the twenty third over.  Bell was determined to be busy and increase the tempo.  He did so well, scampering singles and being prepared to hit over the top.

Meanwhile Dougie started to mirror Bell and increased his tempo.  He brought up a chanceless 50 from 73 balls.

Bell brought up his 50 from just 36 deliveries before falling for 53 when he didn’t quite carry over a fielder in the deep.

A period of carnage followed.  Brentwood lost 5 wickets for 32 runs, Bell, Walford (6), Horswill (2) Giles (2) and finally Maxwell.

Maxwell had accelerated well, he brought up his second 50 from just 43 deliveries, before being bowled for 101 the ball after reaching his century.

Hull contributed a quickfire 19 from 9 deliveries as Brentwood finished on 272.

Pace was slow, with many drinks breaks, but the sun was still bearing down on the players as they resumed after tea.  Presumably the heat was the reason that opener Hazle was sporting a white T-shirt, which I was assured by my fellow scorer is a Hazle trademark.

The Shenfield innings opened with a good tempo.  Hazle looked composed, young George Ballington was defending his wicket well, and the opening bowlers contributed to the scorecard with a healthy dose of wides (nine from Giles returning from injury, and 6 from Heywood).

Ballington was maybe worrying about not scoring when he attempted an aggressive shot off Heywood but could only spoon him high into the air being taken by Boon junior. 

This saw Burgess enter the fray.  He was the pick of the Shenfield batsmen, scoring at a run a ball.

Giles was taken off after 6 overs (for 25) being difficult to score off when he got it right.

Hull and Bell were introduced first change.  Hull bowled tightly, going for 25 from his 5 overs.  Bell was a little more volatile, a maiden was followed 11 off the first 4 balls of his second over, a massive six by Hazle off the 4th ball.  Bell did not let his head drop, pitched a full straight delivery off the next ball and  gleefully saw off Hazle LBW for 28. Bell finished with 4-1-29-1.

U15 Tom Ballington came in and put on 14 runs, looking very composed before falling to Humphries with the score 120 for 3.  Up until this stage Shenfield had looked more competitive than their bottom place in the table had suggested prior to play.  However, what followed was a collapse reminiscent of the Greek economy.  The next 7 wickets fell for 57 runs.

Humphries was pretty much unplayable.  He collected 3 more wickets, including crucially Burgess caught by Giles for 71.  He finished the day with 9-1-28-4.

Horswill also contributed well, 7-0-26-2, clean bowling the numbers 7 and 8.  Heywood came back at the death to wrap it up with a second wicket finishing with 8.4-1-40-2.

Chelmsford 2s lost at Wanstead.  This result means that Brentwood top the table, just three points clear of Wanstead.  Next week sees fourth placed Woodford Wells visit the OCG.   Presumably with a number of young players, the team will not be too jaded after Lashings.