Match Reports

Round 1 (One-dayer)

 

A1 Grade

WPHC (Cam #25) drew with Hornsby Green

No play possible at Parklands due to the recent rain.

 

A2 Grade

WPHC Blue (Birdcage) drew with Glenorie

As expected, with a bit of rain around the Glade was called off so….no play.

 

WPHC Red (Todd) 80 lost to Kenthurst 5/159

Cricket was back, but suffice to say we weren’t.

In the lead up to the game, Captain Todd had to coax two club “legends” out of retirement to play for our injury/work/AFL grand final ravaged team and even then could only field a team of ten and a half fit people, and that’s being generous. Perhaps it was just we were playing at the Kenthurst Park syntho, a ground I last played at in about Under 11s and rightly so too.

Too much protest, sleep deprived Ben Burrows, fresh off finishing his latest chapter of life the previous evening with his year 12 formal, was handed the new cherry by a skipper very happy to be sent in to bowl by his colleague, keen to get things over with before he could sit back watching the AFL as the batters got the job done. It turns out this didn’t quite happen, nor was the AFL actually worth watching after all, but at the time everyone (apart from Ben) was pretty chuffed. But I bought him a pepper steak pie during the innings break so all sorrows were quickly dissipated, for good or for bad (mostly for bad).

In what was a very disappointing afternoon, the highlight was undoubtedly 14-year-old Ollie Makin’s first wicket for the club as old mate from Kenthurst succumbed to his line and length and top edged a return catch he very comfortably took, showing a particular academy head coach how to take an absolute sitter in the process. Aside from that, the skipper led from the front with two poles, with Willy and Bish also found amongst the wickets. The latter, however, was too aware of being Actually Useful and made sure he reminded everyone of his decision to retire by being carted for 24 off the penultimate over to turn very respectable figures into a remarkably average return in the space of six balls. Also shout out to Jack for conceding just the nine runs from seven overs and was incredibly unlucky not to pick up a wicket.

They finished five down for 159 but at the postage stamp that is the Kenthurst Park syntho, there was confidence in the camp that the score could be very chaseable.

So naturally, we got rolled for half that.

I won’t go into too much detail, but it was a day to forget for Connor, who coupled dropping an absolute sitter with toeing an abhorrent half tracker from some guy bowling right-arm around with a new rock straight to short fine leg. Not a great look for our academy head coach, but rest assured for those of you with children attending the programs that this is compensated for by the competency of some of the other participating coaches. They are all (mostly) very good cricketers.

Connor is as well of course, so I’m sure he’ll get back up and score 150 next week. Even the greatest players have blips.

Out of our final score of 80, Aaron showed the rest of the team up by hitting 36 of them despite taking five years off cricket. Although for vastly different reasons to Connor and Bish, I’m sure he’s also gone home today wishing he hadn’t come out of retirement.

B1 Grade

WPHC Blue (Shomik) 9/166 lost to St Ives Wahroonga 226

The first week back, the team was keen to start on a high note, but sadly, the result did not go our way. Still, despite the final outcome, there are many positives to take from our bowling and batting performances.

Our bowling attack displayed some moments of brilliance, but a lack of game practice showed. We created some tough chances, and whilst some were our fault, it was a welcome reminder of the joys of park cricket umpiring. Nat and Amit were disciplined, contributing crucial overs that kept the pressure on. While wickets may not have come as frequently as we hoped, our bowlers did well to create chances, and the opposition finished with 226 runs.

We also showed resilience in our fielding, managing to prevent a total that could have been much higher. Special mention goes to Vaibhav, Pat, and Jack, who kept things tight in the field, preventing boundaries and limiting run-scoring opportunities.

Chasing 226 would always be challenging, but our batters determinedly approached the task.

Despite losing early wickets, Shomik and Amanpreet stood tall, holding the innings together and giving us hope. Their partnership of 40-odd provided much-needed stability at the top. Lower in the order, Alec and Vaibhav fought hard to keep the chase alive, refusing to give up until the end. Though we were eventually restricted to 166 for 9, the intent shown by our batting line-up is something to build on in future matches.

Though we didn’t come out on top this time, our team’s fighting spirit and refusal to back down will serve us well. There is plenty to be proud of, and with a few adjustments, we will surely turn these promising performances into victories.

WPHC Red (Warren) 4/113 defeated Berowra 8/111

Welcome back loyal readers to another season of the greatest sport ever (source Ross A).

Having won the B2 cup last year, we are gearing up for another solid season with most of the same guys. For the first one day we ventured deep into enemy territory, face to face with Berowa (actually a great bunch of guys).

Winning the toss we opted to bowl.

A good decision as they were 3-44 at drinks and a very achievable 8-111 at the end of 30 overs.

Adam took a diving fetch, standing a metre back to add some mayo in to the catch. Matt took a good one handed catch as well, to his right after slips was taken out. Alex,Dan and Nathaniel knocked the pegs over and Wazz and buckets both took a high catches to join the fray.

We had our orders and we were sent in to bat chasing 3.7 runs an over.

We lost our first wicket in the 8^th over with the score on 21.

Matt and Keats had a great 2^nd wicket partnership of 72. The ball was worked around the park. Fours were smacked over the head or along the ground, leg-side.At one point they scored 30 runs off 3 overs in a stint. We lost a few wickets near the end but West Penno B1 Red comfortably got there with Matt the top scorer with a half century.

This is the team to follow. Great skill but an even greater team bond and a winning start in a higher grade.

C1 Grade

WPHC (Indranil) 6/117 defeated Kissing Point 115

A cold and overcast Dural Park was the setting for the opening game of WPHCCC’s season, taking on Kissing Point.

As captain Indranil told the boys we’d be bowling first, plenty of cheers were made mainly from Will who immediately said “let’s roll em early lads, can watch the grand final after.”

Tight bowling from Ben.W and Reyhan put Kissing Point right on the back front before both openers fell with overs of each other. Brijesh grabbed a third soon after and KP were 3 for not many. More good bowling from Maher and Saurabh saw KP restricted to 3-61 off 16 at drinks.

The pressure continued as Yasith stepped up to bowl. His first ball a loosener before grabbing the no.3 and top score down the leg side. Good catch too from keeper Aden. A third run out from Cameron in three weeks would see their other long time bat depart the crease as wickets began to tumble. Another yasith leg side wicket meant another top catch from Aden. While Saurabh got a wicket off a top catch from captain Indranil. Yasith would grab another two more as catches from Will at cover and Ollie at deep mid wicket meant Yasith ended up with figures of 4-10 off 4 overs. Not bad from the young fella. Kissing Point would be all out for 115 as Ben.W would grab the final wicket bowled.

Chasing 116, openers Aden and Cam got off to a flying start with Aden punishing the leg side bowling and saw the run chase get off to an electric start. A top catch from the bloke at cover meant Cam would depart for 8 while Aden would get bowled for 23 moments later. Chetan soon followed, being bowled himself. Quick but little runs from Will and Ollie saw the scoreboard tick over 50 before that bloke at cover struck again taking a cracking take off an uppish cover drive from Will who was left in disbelief.

Ollie was the standout of the batting innings continued to score and with support from Maher, Hari and Yasith, the team looked in control despite the shaky start. Ollie sent the ball all over the ground with his classy technique and ended up with 30 as WPHCCC reached for the required score after 24 overs.

Well done lads on a good team win and thanks to Hari, Maher, Saurabh, Brijesh and Chetan on filling in for the team!

C2 Grade

WPHC Red (Aniket) Vs Bye

 

WPHC Blue (Hiresh) 123 lost to Kissing Point 136

The season kicked off at Caddie Creek which for some reason is our home ground for this match. We hoped to get started on the right foot but yeah…. that did not happen as we went from a position of strength to collapsing to a loss.

Kissing Point batted first and started off slow thanks to some tight bowling.

But, we didn’t make a breakthrough until Mayank came in and got one of the openers out, chipping to point (taken well by John). He followed that wicket up with an absolute peach that stayed low and moved in, bowling out their number 3 for a golden duck. Their skipper came in and took the aggressive option after having a scratchy start. He made a quick fire 50 as the game looked like it was slowly wriggling away from us.

He feasted on anything short. So, Hiresh threw the ball to Shanks with the advice of “Please don’t bowl short!” and well… It kind of worked. Shanks got the skipper out and chipped in with two other wickets to finish up with 3/20 off 6. The game was coming back to us thanks to Krunal picking up the other opener in his first ball of his spell (well caught by Sparsh down at deep midwicket).

Unfortunately, they really pushed for those singles and scampered for a lot of singles to get the score to 136. But, it was great work from the bowlers including Sparsh (conceded 17 runs), John Koleth (conceded 6 runs in 6 overs), Ratul (conceded 10 runs) and Harshil (conceded 10 runs off 4 overs), all of them deserved wickets.

Chasing 136 on a quick outfield was doable and we backed ourselves.

We started off well thanks to Hiresh (28) and Mukund (16) put on 43 for the first wicket. Unfortunately, Hiresh got out hitting one straight to the skipper who was under the helmet. It bounced off his chest, his arm and landed in his hands as he landed on his back. Mukund followed and so did Sparsh. However, Rishab (35) and Rudhra (17) put on like 40 overs to steady the ship. Both got out and then Ratul and John Koleth put on a quick fire partnership to get us to 122. We needed 15 runs in like 4 overs with 5 wickets in the shed…. And then we lost 5 wickets for 1. All out for 123…

There are positives to take out of this despite collapsing into a heap to lose.

Our bowling looks good, our batting did well to get starts, and our fielding was solid. It just didn’t get the result. So, roll on the next game.

C3 Grade

WPHC (Mick) Vs St Ives Wahroonga

Results and Match Report not received.

C4 Grade

WPHC Red (Ross S) 8/186 tied with ARL 186

Game 1 of the season at the home of cricket. Even though we had a lot of rain, the ground was looking fine, run ups muddy though. Skipper lost the toss and we were asked to field.

Our first several overs were very wayward with their openers hitting 10 boundaries before Anand bowled a peach to uproot the stumps…ARL 1/46 off 7… Another quick wicket to Ram with a good catch by Mridal….Arl 2/57 off 10 overs.

Our bowling though was still very wayward with boundaries frustratingly being hit a will. Another catch to Mridal off Henry 3/73 off 13, things looking scary for us with both batsmen intent on hitting. Next 5 overs 44 runs. At Drinks after 18 ARL 3/118.

First ball after drinks another boundary, before Gihan took out middle stump next ball, just what we wanted, however with poor ground fielding and wayward bowling ARL moved to 4/150 after 23 overs, with 132 runs (30 *4s and 2 6’s) in boundaries…..We were looking at a huge score to chase…

Then some magic and the game turned around .A loopy ball from Muthindra to ARLs top scorer, hit to deep extra cover. Ball looks to be travelling for 6, Alex going backwards sticks up his right hand and the ball sticks. Catch of the season after game 1. ARL 5/150.

From that point our game came together, with ARL losing 6/36….Darren taking 3 of those and finishing with 3/13 off 4 overs. A wicket to Mridal and a final run out (Anand and Raynaldo) ARL all out 186 of 30 overs. A big score but could have been a lot worse. Whilst we only dropped 1 catch, ur ground fielding and bowling needs improving.

A good effort to get through most of our overs in less than 2 hours. Wickets to all bowlers, Darren 3/13 (4), Mridal 1/33 (6), Anand 1/25 (4), Henry 1/28 (5), Ram 1/25(4), 1/29(4), Muthindra 1/26(4). Catches to Mridal (2), Alex and Anand.

Our turn to bat, Ross and Ray off to a cautious start. A few singles and a boundary, before Ross was caught by the keeper at the 3^rd attempt, then 2 balls later Raynaldo caught on the boundary at square leg. 2/8 and looking shaky. Bowling was very accurate, and it was very difficult to score. Whilst Mridal kept the score moving at one end, we lost more wickets at the other with Muthindra unlucky to be out to a one hander snatched out of the air, suddenly we are 5/37 off 13 overs and things are not looking good. Drinks the score is 5/69 with Mridal and Raymond at the crease, needing 117 off 17 overs.

After the break, a few more runs but losing a couple of wickets..7/72 with 14 overs still left and things looking dire.

Enter Ram…..first 3 balls, 4,6,4…..on his way….A real good partnership with Mridal,who brought up his 50……..some great running, boundaries and 2s….ARL putting several players on the boundary….but the guys playing smart cricket…

Ram was dismissed for a quick-fire 42…8/135…..importantly putting us within reach 51 needed off 8 overs left with Henry joining Mridal, ARL thinking they would wrap things up, fielders in to keep Mridal off strike….but Henry had other ideas hitting through the field.

The next 7 overs were exciting, with Henry in particular playing an attacking innings, Mridal continuing to turn over the strike. Taking us right down to the wire.

1 over left, Reds 8/183……4 runs needed.

Henry on strike. First ball played into the deep, 1 run completed, back for 2. Rocket arm straight over the stumps. Henry run out by cms for a brilliant 32……9 down, 3 needed….5 balls left. Anand in…

ARL fielders in saving the single……first ball sliced for 2 ….game tied…..4 balls left….1 needed…….batmen crowded…and thats where it stayed…..just could not get it through the field or sneak that single . Match tied…

A wonderful effort from Mridal coming in at 3…..batting for 32 overs …74no…..,Henry 32 and Ram 42 almost getting us over the line….a really good effort with our last 3 wickets combining with Mridal to put on 114 and almost a win. Well done lads. Game 1 done….points on the board….

WPHC White (Agniva) Vs Bye

WPHC Blue (Rob) 5/227 defeated Thornleigh 145

After a very wet couple of preceding days, we all turned up to Thornleigh Park and were pleasantly surprised to see it very playable. A notorious swamp, a big thanks must go out to the Thornleigh lads for spending a couple of hours yesterday evening drying out the ground.

After twice batting second in the T20s and not getting a result, we chose to bat first after winning the toss.  And straight away it seemed to be a good choice.  Our openers Kamran and Luke liked the bowling and after 10 overs we were 0/63.

The batting onslaught continued until Kamran was out with a well-made 27 while the score was on 88. But this did not stop Luke. A couple of decent partnerships with Andrew and Zia advanced the score to 3/154. This brought Lance to the crease and father and son went about putting on a great partnership. We ended on 5/227. Lance scored a great 36 n.o. but the star of the show was Luke with a magnificent 126 and our 540^th century. Hitting shots all over the park, Luke nearly batted through the innings. Outstanding achievement Luke.

So now our turn to field. Good solid bowling from all 7 bowlers saw Thornleigh struggle to get the run rate they needed. And slowly the wickets started coming. Despite a raft of dropped catches we were staying well ahead of where we needed to be. And soon it became a race against the fading light to finish the match. Quite the sight watching middle aged men running between overs to speed things up. And in amongst the mayhem an excellent bowling performance by Kaushal. Taking 5/19, while Thornleigh were going the tonk, was outstanding.

So a first up win. On to round 2 next week.

D1 Grade

WPHC Red (Diggers) 6/116 defeated Mt Colah 68

After a couple of pretty ordinary T20 performances, we headed to Foxglove Oval to play Mt Colah in the first match of the season proper.

After agreeing to shorten the match to 30 overs each to finish before dark, Diggers proceeded to lose the toss and we found ourselves batting first.

Mt Colah bowled quite well and scoring was quite difficult. Ross held an end up and played well to get to 19. Surrenders made 10 but it was Grant who really helped us get to a half respectable total. He made 45 as we finished on 6/116.

Going out to bowl, we had a couple of wayward overs on the thin Foxglove pitch before Manraj found his line and length. He had the ball outswinging at will as he demolished the top order, finishing with 4/17 off his 6 overs.

Some tight bowling from Sufyan and Nandit had Mt Colah under continuous pressure. Some good spin bowling from Farjad (2/16) and Mihir(4/9) combined with great fielding, to pick up the wickets, saw Mt Colah bowled out for 68.

A good win to start the season and plenty to build on.

WPHC Blue (Blue) 85 lost to Berowra 2/86

And the 1^st game (official) of the season is here!

After playing some good cricket and bonding well as a team in the T20s, we were in a relaxed mood and looking forward o the 1st game.

Nirav won the toss and while conditions were marginally damp, he was confident in the batting and chose to bat. Jacques and Sahil opened the innings. Fresh of some good shot making in the T20s, today Jacques got a beauty early on and was dismissed cheaply.

At numbers 3 & 4, Waman & Rishikesh came in, both of whom started with a few cracking shots and were looking good, but fell too soon to some good bowling by the Berowra boys – with the team at 3/24 in the 11^th over.

In the 14^th, Sahil who was holding up well at one end got a short one, which he tried to dab, but was caught out. Daksh & Amit played some positive cricket, with good running between the wickets, but unfortunately immediately after the drinks break, a loss in concentration led to Amit edging one for a well taken catch. The lower order looked to keep us going, but a couple of unfortunate runouts and we ended our innings early at 85 in the 29^th over.

With a target on the lower end to defend – our bowling attack of Mridul and Ravi started well, but the Berowra openers kept their wickets and played some good shots. Praneel (1^st change) found the ball too slippery for his liking, but was rewarded with a wicket on his 1^st legal delivery (solid catch taken by Akash).

Post that Berowra batsman continued to cruise towards the total, and lost their 2nd wicket only once spin (Jacques) was introduced. By then they were at 70 and a few overs later, over the line.

A good experience for the whole team overall. Onwards and upwards.

D2 Grade

WPHC (Roger) 6/218 lost on count back adjustment Kenthurst 4/191

We won the toss and elected to bat. A steady first 18 overs saw us 3/66. After the drinks break the very short boundaries of Fred Caterson 4 were tested and we ended our innings on 6/218.

Vinoth Sambasivam 119 (our 541^st century), Malinda Dharmadassa 34 and Shehan Fernando 33 no were the stars of our batting. Kenthurst were able to be aggressive in their batting from the start and were able to score freely as the light began to fail and our fielder found it harder to see the ball.

When bad light was called to end play for the day (9 overs short) Kenthurst were on 4/ 191.

Kenthurst had won the game on run rate. A little more accuracy with our bowling and some fielding practice could de see us start getting results fall our way. However today saw a vast improvement Batting wise, compared to last year.