2024-06-23_Hetairoi
Match Data vs Hetairoi on 2024-06-23 at Wandsworth Common (Season 2024)
- Result: Lost
- Salix: 59 all out 25 overs
- Hetairoi: 115 all out from 33 overs
- Game Type: 35 Overs Game (Salix Batted Second)
Dodgy track proves a great leveler
Report by Dils
The current T20 World Cup taking place in the West Indies & USA has seen a refreshing variety of different types of games, especially the low scoring thrillers where scores of 120 have been sufficient to win games. This Sunday’s fixture vs Hetaroi had a similar theme.
Generally, at Salix we’re quite fortunate to play at some lovely grounds, and on well-kept wickets. Due to the unavailability of the usual Winchmore Hill ground, Tim rescued the fixture by being able to book Wandsworth Common. The wicket was basically camouflaged with the rest of the outfield, only the existence of stump holes and crease markings helping identify the location of the “cut” strip. Whilst the prepared “wicket” would not be winning any prizes for its quality, it did play its role in an eventful and exciting day.
Heading into the game Salix only had 9 confirmed players, up stepped the legend Irwin who came back from his family trip early to get us to 10 men. Skipper Raj put it aptly “The hero we don’t deserve… but the hero we need” – thanks again Irwin!
After losing the toss, and being asked to field, the returning Deepak was thrown the cherry. A solitary wide off the first over, representing a good start from Salix. Opening with Deepak from the other end was CK, his immaculate line and length meant that despite only have 9 fielders we were able to set aggressive fields and keep the scoring down. CK getting the first wicket, bowling the opener with a Jaffa. A thick edge later in the over put down by a diving Krutik, who apart from that chance was immaculate behind the stumps (including another stumping for the season later in the innings). Then it became the Deepak show.
Channeling a magical combination of Wasim Akram, Zaheer Kahn, Chaminda Vaas & Ryan Sidebottom, Deepak had the ball hooping. That alongside the random nature of the wicket meaning a ball pitching in the same spot could either shoot passed the batsman’s ear or roll passed his ankles, meaning every ball was an event. His first wicket was an inswinging full pitch delivery that beat the batsman all ends up. Next one was caught behind, before the next batsman deciding that attack was the best form of defence hit one straight to me at mid-on. Finally, a chip to midwicket, caught by Adam got him his fourth wicket. Bowling unchanged he took four for nineteen off his seven overs – despite this being his first game of the season, showing that class is permanent.
The rest of the bowling kept it tight, feeling like a wicket could fall off every delivery. Special mention to the return of Sai the Seamer, due to a miscount from the skip and the scorers, he was allowed to bowl 8 overs on the bounce taking 2-21. Whilst wickets where tumbling at one end, the Hetaroi opener John Ball played a brilliant innings. Ducking, diving & weaving the balls that spat up, and keeping the shooters out – he punished any loose balls and ran hard between the wicket to keep the scoreboard ticking. Adam chipped in with 2 wickets at the death, including the wicket of John for 48 who deserved to have carried his bat and score his 50, but his innings felt like it could be pivotable.
Being set the score of 116 – it was important to get off to a good start, before I had even got my live stream up. Raj tried to pull a short ball, but ended up top edging it to point. 0-1 off 0.4 overs. I would like to say things got better from there, but as we had found earlier this was a bowlers paradise / batters nightmare. Wickets fell with regularity, only CK reaching double figures and extras being comfortably the top scorer. The only benefit to Raj’s quick departure at the top of the innings was that he was allowed to bat again as the lowest scorer. Fortunately a scrambled single meant that he avoided getting a pair on the day, but after I edged one to midwicket the game was done – 59 all out. Bringing it back to the T20 World Cup, coincidently England were also set 116 to win the game on Sunday, a blistering 83 from Jos Buttler off only 38 balls helped then win by 10 wickets. Would have been interesting to see what he would have scored on this sunny day in Wandsworth…