Sat Aug 6th Grannies won by 3 wickets
Players
Match report
By tradition, the first week of August is when the broad church that is The Grannies throws open its doors and invites the community at large to join the flock. The London New Zealand match has almost become our Open Day, and so it proved again when a new look Grannies team took the field on our behalf. As an introduction to what we are about, a hot summer�s day at Sheffield Park against great opposition is hard to beat.
Name badges were handed out and the Grannies took the field with LNZ offering to bat first due to a late night and consequent late arrivals. On a pitch that was still soft from the early season rain, we were only too happy to oblige. Chuck the ball to Zaki and we should be fine. Zaki worked up a great pace, but got nothing from the pitch, and soon settled for line and length and got the breakthrough. Line and length was the theme of the rest of our attack, with debutants Simon Wickham and Chris Mankelow in particular bowling outstanding tight spells to keep the pressure on. LNZ never got away, and at 129 for 9 we were in great shape until No. 11 Sam Martin (Granny and LNZ captain) showed how it was done with a superb 49 not out off 29. 180 was the target.
More debutants stepped to the crease oozing grace and class. Both Rory Hills and Mark Hickey got going but were undone by a great spell of leg spin bowling. Rod Porter (a debutant, funnily enough) stepped up with an excellent 51, well supported by Sean Keaton. Just as the game was in the bag, a few quick wickets (plus yet another pulled muscle from your correspondent) left us 142 for 8 effectively, teetering on the edge of another famous Grannies Collapse. Fortunately Chris Mankelow and Zaki was able to see us home with a calm 39 run parternship.
Its 2-1 in this series for those who like to keep a tab on these things, but most importantly it was the very best of days that The Grannies can offer. A wonderful ground, absorbing cricket played in the right spirit against outstanding opposition. Many thanks to all those who agreed to play � you are all most welcome again, any time.
Match info
Location
Sheffield Park,
Forest Row,
TN22 3QX