East Is Star Of The Show

Kidlington entertained Swinbrook CC at Stratfield Brake and were hoping to find the form which saw them beat their opponents earlier in the season.

On what looked like a good batting wicket, Richard Walker didn't hesitate in opting to bat after winning the toss, however when Andy Oliver was out bowled in the 3rd over and then Razwan Dogar was out leaving a ball that swung back in in only the 5th over, Kidlington found themselves in an all too familiar position in recent weeks, losing early wickets. Chris East (pictured) joined captain Walker in the middle as the pair rebuilt the KCC innings superbly. East looked in tremendous form striking the ball regularly through the covers as the 50 was soon up in the 12th over. Walker was beginning to let loose when he misjudged a swinging delivery and was out LBW. Edd Willmot joined East at the crease and looked to carry on from his unbeaten half century in the Chairmans Day to weeks back. Willmot began to time the ball beautifully as he and East ran well between the wickets pushing the score towards 100 before KCC lost their 5th wicket when Willmot tried work the ball through mid on but was deceived in the flight and bowled. Waseem Azad was now with East as Kidlington passed the 100 mark in the 29th over. East and Azad began to take control of the game striking the ball to all areas of the ground. East passed his half century with a trademark drive down the ground before Azad became the main run scorer in the partnership. Striking regular boundaries Azad qucikly moved the score past 150 before he was out caught in the deep hitting into the strong wind. With East still looking good Kidlington were hopeful of passing the 200 mark with wickets in hand and needing only 40 runs from 9 overs, but when John Moss was out first ball to a low full toss that he top edged Kidlington needed to make sure the tail didn't collapse. Dan Farrant joined East as the pair added 25 run with Farrant striking a couple of boundaries along with some quick running between the wickets by the pair. Farrant was out with the score on 190 being bowled by an inswinger assisted by the strong wind and when East was out in the penultimate over, Kidlington needed just 8 runs from the last 8 balls to secure maximum batting points. Steve Litten and Chris Blackford took KCC to their target with some good running as Kidlington finished on 201/8 from their 45 overs.

After another brilliant tea, Kidlington set about defending their total with Dan Farrant opening into the wind from the Pavillion End and Steve Litten from the Brake End as both bowlers started well bowling good line and lengths and with good pace. The Swinbrook openers struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking as they fell behind the run rate early on and when Litten struck with two quick wickets, one bowled and the other caught behind by Richard Walker, followed by a brilliant run out from Chris Blackford, Kidlington were in complete control. Farrant and Litten both bowled 9 over spells before being replaced by Chris East and Edd Willmot, who both continued with tight line and lengths. East struck early in his spell with a flighted delivery which bowled the batsman through the gate, before Willmot then struck with a similar delivery as Kidlington had Swinbrook 60/5 in the 24th over. East took his second wicket as he got one to turn, deceiving the batsman who left the ball expecting it to go straight on. Litten and Farrant came on to bowl out as Kidlington looked to close out the innings and secure 30 points with dark clouds gathering over Wytham woods. Farrant struck to take his sole wicket with an LBW before Litten took his third wicket, also with an LBW decision. With only two wickets needed and now Swinbrook having little hope in scoring the required runs, they were aiming for 145 to gain another batting point. Chris Blackford and Waseem Azad came on for the bowled out Farrant and Litten as Blackford struck in his first over bowling the batsman off his pads. Both bowled well as Richard Walker changed bowlers to try and buy the final wicket with only 3 overs remaining Andy Oliver bowled two overs from the Brake End, before East came back to bowl the final over as the rain began to come. With Swinbrook on 144 with one ball to go, the batsman tried to hit out but could only pick out Andy Oliver in the covers for Easts third wicket, as Swinbrook fell 57 runs short in their run chase.

Great to see the 1st XI back to winning ways and with a brilliant attitude from John Moss, Jake East, Razwan Dogar and Chris Blackford who were in the team due to the 3rd XI not having a game and the continued problems of availability with 1st XI players it was a thoroughly enjoyable game of cricket! A brilliant all round performance from Chris East with 73 and 3 wickets along with another superb showing in the field was the catalyst for an important victory to keep the 1st XI in the hunt for 3rd place in DIvision 4!