Mitch and Jon pull out the big guns!
Raynes Park, Wimbledon, 7/20/2014
Strongroom won by 51 runs
Strongroom: 296-1 [M.Nicholson 116*, J.Gower 95*]
London Nigerians: 245-9 [Khalid 61, R.Umin 43*, D.Ellis 4-40]
View the Scorecard
A very hot Sunday down in Raynes Park. We were playing on a very dry grassy surface, with a bit of a drifty breeze. we lost the toss...and were very surprised to be put into bat! However we were also aware we had a weak bowling attack. There were 5-6 new faces in the Nigerians camp - as they had to borrow from another team due to being light on numbers.
Jon G and Jimmy got off to a fluent start. However, then Jimmy just slapped a haf-volley straight to extra-cover - a real shame, as he was looking his usual smooth self. Then, Mitch (116*) came into bat, and together (95*) we proceeded to put on approximately 200 for the 3rd wicket. There was some good bowling from Gabbay and Ridwanul, who both regularly beat the outside edge. However, the impetus of hitting gradually increased, and as the fielding became increasingly ragged, we both launched into a barrage of 6- hitting. Mitch retired on his 2nd strongroom ton - another great innings! Then Jules (34*) popped up and played a sparkling cameo on an innings. We hammered 19 off the final over. It was a very frustrating, baking hot day for the Nigerians in the field - we’ve all been there!
Tea - LNCC provided another great display of Jollof rice, plantain and chicken - as always.
LNCC innings. Gabbay came out with aggressive intent, but then John Rajeeve clean bowled him for 10. Ojomo played really well, as did Habib, but then Dane’s new flighty approach took four well-deserved wickets, including a smart stumping by Jimmy. At one stage we had to leave the game for half an hour due to one of those classic mid-summer rain storms. The track was a bit muddy afterwards! We seemed to be on top...but then Khalid (61) and Ridwanul (43*) both batted brilliantly - including some particularly audacious strokes from Ridwanul (who Dave P later recruited for the Strongroom!). Dave P set some really good field placings. Joe bowled well, albeit without much luck. I secured two good catches (rare for me!) - but Mitch took an outstanding catch! Then, in the final over, Ridwanul hammered three consecutive 6s! It really was tremendous hitting by him. A great batting effort this by LNCC, on what was a sublime batting surface.
Written By: J.Gower
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