MILDENHALL CRICKET CLUB News story


A great send off for Tom

09 Sep 2018

 

Mildenhall arrived at their Norfolk destination to find overcast conditions. There was a weather forecast suggesting the match might be affected by rain. Mildenhall welcomed back Joe Reed following a serious finger injury, but Australian Nick Maiolo was a late absentee. Gt Witchingham were missing their all-rounder Mick Jones. Mildenhall skipper Tom Rash won the toss and elected to field. Sam Arthurton and James Spelman weathered the early Mildenhall bowling, although Arthurton had the discomfort of a wrap on the hand from Jack Loveday. Mildenhall had to wait until the 11th over to get their first success. Tristian Blackledge had replaced Loveday and with the score on 43, Arthuton (24) drove the ball uppishly to extra cover into the safe hands of James Stamatis. Spelman was joined by his brother Jonathon. The brothers began a dogged partnership in an attempt to build some foundation to a brittle Witchingham batting line up. They reached 100 in the 31st over and soon after Jonathon Spelman had a life when Rash could not hold onto a slip catch. With the home side having reached 127, it was Murtaza Hussain who broke the partnership when he deceived Jonathon Spelman (45) who edged a sharp chance into the gloves of Eddie Finnis. One run later and Matthew Long (0) departed having been cleaned up by Rash. James Spelman reached his 50 in the 41st over. Great Witchingham passed the 150 mark before Steve Graham bowled Brett Stolworthy for 4. As the final overs approached Rash switched his bowlers around like a T20 game with several one over spells. It was Rash himself who proved the most successful as he picked up 3 late wickets, including a stunning diving catch by Finnis to dismiss Aaron Riseborough (4). James Spelman finally came out of himself (He appeared to dwell too long on the fact that the umpires missed a no ball when Mildenhall had a fielder outside the power play restrictions), his late flurry saw him finish on 97 not out and Great Witchingham had a close of innings score of 218 for 7. Credit to the umpires who allowed play to continue when some light rain showers swept across the ground. Rash finished with 4 for 51.

The Mildenhall innings began with some fireworks from Joe Reed. Will Means first over was plundered for 19. With the score already on 42 in only the fourth over, the home side struck back. Andy Hanby bowled a full ball to Blackledge and the batsman was trapped lbw on the crease for 2. Next ball saw the “cock a hoop” Witchingham delighted as Graham had his stumps up rooted for a golden duck. Reed meanwhile continued his assault and reached 46 (all boundaries) off just 17 balls. His luck ran out however when he edged a sizzling ball to Stolworthy who took a fine catch. This gave Hanby his third wicket and left Mildenhall on 61 for 3. This brought together James Stamatis and Ben Shepperson. With the dreaded Duckworth- Lewis calculations threatening to come into play Mildenhall continued well ahead of the required rate as the Mildenhall pair dominated proceedings. Stamatis had a couple of let offs and was dropped twice, but in between he stroked the ball to all parts of the field. The Mildenhall pair made light of the target reaching it in the 33rd over. Stamatis was unbeaten on 91, while his partner Shepperson continued in his fine vein of form and was also not out on 74. Their unbroken partnership was worth 160 runs.

With just one game left this season Mildenhall look assured to secure their highest ever EAPL position of third place. The club will be without their Captain Tom Rash for this last game as he heads off for his Stag do. His first season has seen him score 522 runs averaging over 40 and he is the leading wicket taker with 37 victims. Congratulations all round Tom.