OU Authentics 1 June 2021

Manager Frankie Crouch

Lost by 8 Wickets

SOA 135 all out

OU Authentics 136 for 2

A youthful SOA side gathered at Marston Sports Ground on a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon. Winning the toss and deciding to bat, the skipper rallied the chaps to go out and impress! Barney Carey and Ayyaz Mallick opened up. Unknown to us the Blues skipper, Searle, opened the bowling with some decent pace and bounce. It took him 3 overs to pick up his first, Carey caught at cover. This brought young ‘Bunbury’ Kalan Niyarepola to the crease. Kalan certainly did impress, hooking Searle for 6 and 2 fours in his first 15 balls. Mallick was bowled by a nip-backer leaving us 35-2. Kalan continued to make it look very easy and took us to 61-2 off 12. A pretty good start. However, another Blue, leg spinner, Mingard, was brought into the attack. Sharp turn and the odd googly caused a collapse reminiscent of the 90s English test team. We lost 7 wickets for 34 runs. This left Crouch and Saqib left to get the side to 3 figures. A couple of hefty blows took SOA to 135all out. Mingard finishing with 14-4-29-6.

Needing early wickets to give us any chance, SOA opened with Ben Jeffris and Ethan Davie. A brilliant run out by Adam Hamid gave us hope. But Searle, batting at 3, hit a fluent 31 off 23 balls. His dismissal brought in Hardwick, another Blue, obviously had a table booked at the pub as he hit 70 off 29 including 5 sixes.

An enjoyable afternoon despite the result. A great test for the youngsters and an good introduction to SOA cricket. Thanks to Mike Knox for umpiring and Mark Williams for scoring.