4th XI beat Langley

On a cool blustery day (that caused many stoppages through the bails blowing off) Timperley Captain Usman elected to bat on what was known to be a road of a wicket. Deciding to open with Bhatti they both picked up where they left off from the midweek T20 match against the 3rd XI. They were both severe on anything off the line of the stumps and raced to 68 in 7 overs or so. Bhatti then took one liberty too many and knicked off to the keeper for 29.

Hussain joined Usman and looked comfortable for the time he was in. it was during this partnership that the key moment in the game occurred. Usman (at circa 40 scored) attempted a launch into the leg side but the ball somehow went looping into the off side to the point position. The fielder seemed well set but dropped the ball, a mistake that would cost Langley over a hundred runs. Shocked at what he had seen Hussain then played on for 9. Fisher then contrived to fall out of his crease and was ‘stumped’ from a ricochet off the wicket keepers pads for 5. Iveson then spooned into the covers and it was 113 for 4.

Muzzafars go was a good one and he settled to support the Captain who was now looking to be clinical with anything hittable and starting to accelerate. Both played well and moved the score to 187 when Muzaffar also knicked off for 27. He was replaced by Tayyab who also took on the aggressive example of his captain hitting 19 off 10 balls before being bowled by the toiling Doggart. Sajja had a swish and was bowled for 6 allowing Harroon the opportunity to walk to the middle and hit 2 balls for no score. Both him and Usman were there at the close at 286 for 7, Usman 157 not out, 26 x 4, 3 x 6. A score good enough for the 9th best all time currently recorded highest score. Also his 5th TCC Century in 3 years. Second highest scorer in the innings was Extras with 35.

In reply Langley strove to keep up with the run rate and were kept interested courtesy of too much wide stuff from all bowlers. Boon (29) and Wilkinnson-Hall (25) looked good but were undone by straight bowling and the first 8 Langley wickets were all bowled with the last wicket being a good catch off Muzaffar by Iveson to dismiss Love. Most of the bowlers will be happy with their returns with the pick of the bunch being Muzaffar with 6 for 40. Bowden batted well for Langley scoring 56 not out (11 x 4, 1 x 6) at 7. Joshi bowled well at the start of the innings and seemed unphased about senior cricket.

A comfortable win in the end but as they say ‘catches win matches’ and Langley will no doubt have reflected on this on their return home.