Cricket in Acle - Win at last

Yesterday Acle Cricket Club 3rd team had a game against Heigham Pirates (I hope I have not mis-spelt the name). And finally we won a game after some days and I have to give credit where it is due. The youngsters performed very well and led us to the win.

Coote was the captain today and for a change we won the toss and elected to bat. A good team effort took the score to 190/9 (Coote:35, Deano:25, Geoff:45, Mikey:27) in 40 overs. Cootie spell with the lucky bat continues (22* and 45)

TJ is a good batsman in our team…but someone who tends to lose his wicket going for his glorious sixes and fours (and he does hit them well). As a batsman, one’s prized possession is his wicket (Well….I don’t understand its value…my high score being 1)….and you don’t give that away cheaply….you need make any bowler work hard for it….and TJ did that this time…Stayed on for almost 8 overs on the crease..Something that I have never seen him do….and a very valuable innings…giving company for Mikey…I reckon what makes a good batsman different from an average batsman is his tenacity of not losing his wicket and that does make all the difference. Deano was really good as the opening bat…did not go for any big shots (which he does from time to time) and stayed for almost 19 overs…that is great stuff….never seen him do that and it was good when he did it.

The bowling was really good with Jordie leading the pack with 4 wickets, Deano with his quickies getting 3 and Browie with his swing bowling getting the remaining 3. I did tell Jordie to change his bowling from time to time. Make the batsmen think on what you are going to ball next other than bang the ball in always. And boy did he bowl…He changed the balls at will…got it to bounce, slow ball, pitched in short ( I am not a great fan … J) bowled slow balls,,,,which I have never seen him do….and that made all the difference. Deano was quick as ever…I reckon a very talented bowler who can bowl really fast…I am sure he will improve a lot once he understand that it is important to have a good line and length fast ball that letting it rip through. Brownie was his usual best…nice swing bowls…and he does make it swing away…

With all these things I am telling about youngsters…I do have to mention about another talented chap --- our wicket Keeper, Ryan Farrow, Fazaa….He would have saved a min of 20-30 runs in byes by his excelled keeping…They were all our on 172…if we bring that into consideration….these saved runs won the game for us.

Heigham Pirates were the first Sunday league team that contained as many youngsters as our team…All others had bigges playing in the Sunday league..It was good to see an opposition telling that they wanted to build their youngsters for the future…That is so very true isn’t it. They also had good bowlers and batsmen and was a good team to play with.