Scorecard

Watford Town IV v Northwood Town Cricket Club Saturday 3rd XI on Sat 11 May 2024 at 13:00
Northwood Town Cricket Club Lost Lost by 1 Wicket.

Match report Summer finally arrived and a on a sumptuously gorgeous day, NTCC 3s headed to Watford Town in Garston to kick off the 2024 season. Newly appointed skipper Kishan won the toss and decided to bat first on what appeared to be a dry batting friendly strip, however appearances would prove to be deceptive.

Openers Akshar and Kunal started watchfully on a pitch that offered little pace. The bounce was spongy and inconsistent and both openers exemplified patience and fortitude as they executed shot selection with grace and style. In the fifth over Kunal was undone with a low LBW having made headway into the pitch. Akshar was joined by our own Bollywood superstar Pradip and both kept the scoreboard ticking over. In the 8th over with the score on 30 Akshar slashed hard to a wide outside off stump delivery and a superb catch was taken in 2nd slip. DJ Smit entered the fold and started his innings circumspectly but holed out to a catch after facing 10 deliveries. The score at 37 for 3 after 14 overs bought NTCC’s prodigal son Keeran to the crease. Keeran played the pitch not the bowling scrutinizing the pitch with a defensive blockade. Keeran played magnificently for the backbone innings of 32 despatching loose deliveries and forcing the opposition on several occasions to go trekking into the nearby woods. Pradip played his part albeit was frustrated by the lack of pace and bounce but kept the strike rotating and enjoyed a 41 run partnership with Keeran. Both fell in quick succession as they tried to up the run rate. Skipper Kishan entered the fray in the 29th over and settled himself to try and push the score beyond the magical 100 mark. Batting continued to be tough, Ajay getting caught and bowled to an unexpected bouncer. Hardik joined Kishan at the crease in the 36th over with the score on 103 however the pitch never allowed him to get going. A flurry from Assad at the dusk of the innings bought some hope that we could reach 130. The opposition had already slowed down the pace to compliment the wicket and the lower order could not add many more runs the NTCC innings which closed on 118 in 39.2 overs.

Tea was swiftly consumed and after an energising team talk by the skipper NTCC took the field. Skipper and vice captain Pradip very quickly realised the pitch would continue to behave as it did in the first innings and after deploying Assad and Het as the openers decided to quickly turn to spin. Off spinners Hardik and Saad bowled magnificently with guile and skill both picking up a wicket a piece but blocking any big shots and forcing the batsmen to take risky singles. NTCC fielding was not at is optimum today and some uncharacteristic drops in the field and behind the stumps allowed the opposition breathing space to crawl towards the 118 target. Pradip continued off from where he left in the 2023 season taking two superb wickets at 2.68 economy rate. Kishan also picked up a wicket and despite bringing back Assad to strike into the tail enders who ended up with 3 wickets, the opposition calmly reached the target in the 39th over.

Ultimately a very close contest, with a higher standard of catching NTCC would have probably wrapped up the game in their favour. Lots of positives at the start of the season and great to see the 3s in strong shape.

BIG SHOUT OUT TO KEERAN AND ASAD FOR TOP PERFORMANCE FOR THE DAY.

Northwood Town Cricket Club Saturday 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
14w 4b  
for 10 wickets
18
118		        
Akshar Patel ct Aadil 18 1
Kunal Patel lbw Aadil 10 1
Pradip Pandey ct Aadil 15 1
Smit Patel ct Faizal 1
Keeran Sudagaran b Pritul 32 5
Kishan Gordhandas b Tejas 10 1
Ajay Lal ct Aadil 3 1
Hardik Nakum Not Out  2
Saad Kayani ct Tejas 0 2
Asad ullah Jabarkhail b Tejas 6 1
Het Tripathi b Aadil 5 1

Watford Town IV Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Tejas Patel8.011936.332.37
Aadil Hussian7.203548.754.77
Shajee Naqvee4.001200.003.00
Faisal Abid8.0416116.002.00
Pritul Patel8.0316116.002.00
Adeel Rehman3.0011111.003.67
Abdul Rauf1.00500.005.00

Watford Town IV Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
14w 6b 3lb 
for 8 wickets
23
119 (38.3 overs)		     
Owais Ahmed ct Asad 8
Tanuj Ghosh ct Hardik 0
Mukesh Kotha b Asad 2
Abdul Rauf ct Saad 14
Abu Choudhury b pradip 37
Adeel Rehman Not Out  22
Aadil Hussain ct Pradip 2
Shajee Naqvee b Asad 1
Tejas Patel ct Kishan 4
Pritul Patel Not Out  2
Faisal Abid  

Northwood Town Cricket Club Saturday 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Asad ullah Jabarkhail8.012337.672.88
Het Tripathi2.00800.004.00
Hardik Nakum7.0032132.004.57
Saad Kayani8.0322122.002.75
Pradip Pandey8.0021210.502.63
Kishan Gordhandas3.31414.001.14
Smit Patel2.00700.003.50