kcc v deddington

I think we can all agree that it has been brilliant to be able to play and watch cricket again since July and it has gone a long way towards restoring a sense of sanity and togetherness in a time of abnormality and isolation. Let’s hope for a full season next year and with as much back to normal as is possible. And so as the curtain hits the floor on this season, I hope you enjoy a good read of this account of Kidlington’s second emphatic victory in as many weeks.

Match Report:

Upon inspection the pitch at Stratfield brake was again in a disappointing condition, very green and soft. But still 100x better than not playing at all.

Kidlington batted first and Andy and Richard played some lovely shots with Andy scoring a four with a lofted straight drive and Richard playing an impressive half volley to cow corner for six runs. Richard was subsequently caught at short mid off and in came Eddie Wilmott. Wilmott continued the exhibition of good cricketing shots as Deddington found themselves chasing balls back to the boundary and having to collect them quite regularly, but they didn’t seem to mind that (if their chat in the field was anything to go by).

But maybe they were right to be so inclined, as Deddington took two subsequent catches off Kidlington’s top order batsmen Oliver and then his replacement Rodway both fell victim to the field.

The ever impressive Josh Behal was next in and he played a handful of delightful clips off the pads - some running to the boundary but he was then bowled by an outswinging delivery and he was replaced by fellow teenager, Clarke.

So as Clarke joined Wilmott in the middle Kidlington had one of the OCA’s most impressive batsmen this year who kickstarted his season with a half century at Risinghurst... and also Eddie.

In all seriousness, though, Eddie has often been the sole driving force behind Kidlington’s run scoring since July and he has had a fantastic season with the bat.

The same cannot be said for young Clarke who posed the least threat of hitting a cricket ball ever, until he eventually did touch one and ended up feebly dragged on for a disappointing duck.

At 73 for 5 things were looking bleak for Kidlington, but as Stothard took to the middle and got straight into the running and acclimatised to the game, the green shoots of what went on to be a fantastic late surge of runs emerged.

Stothard and Wilmott ran well but the latter saw his innings come to an end when he was caught right off the turf at deep square leg off a fierce pull shot. He went off for 27 which was an impressive total on that wicket but for a man who was averaging 115 it came as a frustration - especially given the marginal nature of the catch. Pretty decent catch though, so credit to the fielder.

Ajay Behal came in at number 8 and batted very well, he read the wicket impeccably and played all the right shots that those before him got wrong - the highlight was an emphatic pull shot for six off a short delivery - a shot that would have sailed right into the temporary stand at Old Trafford.

But Ajay’s innings would take a controversial turn as he was hit high up on the elbow by a full toss having even jumped up in the air to meet it. This was remarkably not given as a no ball and he was then caught on the next ball which should have been a free hit. In fairness to the umpires they were consistent across the afternoon but it was nevertheless infuriating for the outgoing Behal.

Ramzan was the fourth of Kidlington’s teenagers to take to the crease and he would go on to top score. But before that happened, Stothard was having some joy playing the sweep shot to Deddington’s new spinner. Usually a big hitter, Jamie instead opted to continue guiding the ball rather than his typical aggressive approach and he ended up guiding one right down the throat of the fielder at square leg. But Stothard’s contribution was valuable as the team scored 45 runs in the time he was at the crease. And now the platform was set for a 9th wicket partnership of 68 runs between fellow seam bowlers Ramzan and Graham.

Both played effectively and clinically with shots around all 360 degrees of the pitch and really put the top order batsmen to shame but cricket is a team sport and it’s funny how many ways there are to contribute - for example by offering your verbal skills in the field, or your literary endeavours writing the match report. As for Chrissy and Kammy, they let their bats do the talking and saw Kidlington end on an impressive total and leaving Deddington the task of chasing 190 runs.

We all ate our own teas as has been customary this year, but I, for one, am eagerly awaiting the return of the more traditional cricket teas. Some things don’t change though, and tea was a nice chance to chat and reflect on what was an eventful first innings - but the drama was far from done.

Roll on the second innings. The sun had been beating down on the track and favour of the conditions seemed to be edging towards the batsmen - but you wouldn’t have been able to tell that from Kidlington’s roaring start. With a field boasting three slips, as well as a silly mid on and silly mid off - openers Ramzan and Josh Behal bowled ridiculously tightly and the slips were in play by the third over as Sam Rodway took a brilliant catch at gulley to dismiss the first of many Deddington batsmen.

Other than a solitary 6 to the same cow corner that Richard had picked out earlier that day. Josh and Kamran went for virtually no runs in their first 5 overs each. And in Kamran’s 5th over he brought the slips into play once again as Andy took the catch at the second time of asking having palmed the ball up in the air to himself. Josh Behal then followed suit as he dismissed number 3 by forcing the outside edge and once again the catch was taken in the slips! The joy was evident on the Kidlington players’ faces as the slips were fully in the game and it felt like playing a test match.

Josh followed this up by knocking middle stump backwards on two identical occasions. A middle stump which is different in appearance to the other 5 stumps, by the way, because Josh himself snapped the old one in half last season - clearly a bowler in top form.

Ramzan followed this up by sending the bales flying himself in the next over. That sealed off a scintillating opening spell from Ramzan and Josh Behal who bowled 8 maiden overs out of 16 overs between them, including 4 wicket maidens.

Not to be outdone - older brother Ajay Behal came on and bowled brilliant line and length from the off and he picked up two wickets bowling batsmen with his ever-effective off spin. And credit to Jacob Oliver at the other end who started off with a maiden over and bowled economically throughout needing no time to warm into it.

The game appeared to be fizzling out but a defiant 9th wicket stand (alike to Ramzan and Graham in the first innings) took flight between bats Williamson and Neong who put on a partnership of 45 runs.

Kidlington gave some bowling opportunities to unconventional players and Deddington managed to get some joy off that but as the game dragged on Kidlington brought the experience of Chris Graham to the table to take the 9th wicket as the slips grabbed their 5th catch of the day and then Ajay Behal came back on the seal the deal with the 5th ball of his second spell.

In the end the scoreboard was perhaps a little favourable to Deddington as Kiddy’s complacency in the latter overs showed and the Deddington batsmen managed to pick off some less experienced bowlers but altogether an emphatic win was sealed for Kidlington to cap off the season. Thank you to Deddington for the game and thank you to all involved who came to watch and support too! We all look forward to seeing you all again next year!