Audlem Cricket Match Report

Audlem vs Audley

Audlem began their North Staffs and South Cheshire Cricket League season with a 4 wicket win over Audley. It was a strange situation as Audlem found themselves as the away side with Audley's 3rd team playing their 'home' fixtures at Gorse Croft for a second season. Audley's captain Richard Beckett won the toss and had no hesitation with electing to bat on a fantastic looking track.
Abhijith Jayan took the new ball from the Road End and struck with just the 2nd ball of the match. He trapped the dangerous Charles Birkin LBW with an excellent inswinging delivery. Jayan continued to cause havoc with the new ball and was very unlucky not to take more wickets in what was a terrific opening spell. Swift at the other end helped build the pressure by hitting a consistent line and length which allowed Jayan to attack the stumps. Audley came out of the powerplay at 6-1, pleased to have survived Jayan's opening spell.
A change of end for Jayan brought him a well deserved second wicket. He dismissed the other Audley opener (Mohanan) for 9 thanks to a spectacular diving slip catch from Butler. At 14-2 Audlem were dreaming of an early finish and a chance to sample the range of drinks from the fully stocked Audlem bar. However, Dan Hammersley and Wicket-Keeper batsman Joe Smith had other ideas. The pair put on 58 for the third wicket. Hammersley was the aggressor, striking the ball powerfully and cleanly. It was Dan Butler who broke the partnership by getting rid of Hammersley. This brought skipper Beckett to the crease. Audlem knew that Beckett was a batter they needed to dismiss quickly. Last season he blasted the ball to all corners of Gorse Croft and even into the farm next door! Fortunately for Audlem, the high-class swing bowling of Kemal Toraman. Toraman's consistent line and length frustrated Beckett into trying to launch a good delivery into orbit. Irfan Shaik steadied himself underneath the skier and after a juggle, managed to cling on.
Despite the loss of these wickets, Audley continued their positive approach to the second half of their innings after a slightly low run rate in the first 20. They knew that they would need to post a competitive total on a track that played far better than one of a typical wet April. Swift and Jayan were brought back into the for the final 7 overs of the Audley innings. After a tight first over, Swift bowled one in the slot which led to the ball sailing over Shenton's head at long off for 6. Swift got his revenge just two balls later by bowling Davis. This brought Clint Thankachan to the crease. Clint was full of confidence after taking 6 wickets in a recent Stone league game. However, his innings only lasted two balls as Swift sent him back to the changing room for a 2nd ball duck by clean bowling the big hitting batter. Swift picked up his 3rd wicket in the next over thanks to a brilliant one handed catch from Andy Rothwell at midwicket. Batter David Birkin appeared to flick one off his legs for 4 runs but Rothwell's quick reactions prevented this, helping Audlem to their 7th wicket. Some quick running and a few more lusty blows helped Audley to finish on 149-7. Number 3 batter Joe Smith finished 71* in what was a perfectly paced innings accelerating in the last 6 overs to help Audley up to a competitive total.
After tea, Butler and Rothwell walked to the middle, hoping to get Audlem off to a flyer in pursuit of the 150 runs they would need for victory. After the first 2 balls of the innings both went for 4 byes Audlem were again hopeful of a stress-free, comfortable chase. But, this is Audlem after all, and no chase has ever been stress-free or comfortable. Thoughts of an early beverage were dashed just 4 balls into the innings when young Audley seamer Ole Davies-Majer bowled Audlem run-machine Dan Butler. Butler played uncharacteristically across the line to a straight ball and was dismissed without scoring. This brought the experienced Tom Measures to the crease. After soaking up the early pressure of some tight Audley bowling, Tom began to find the gaps and the scoreboard began to tick over. Rothwell, still floating on the high of his Stokeseque fielding, powerful cut for 4 and Audlem were in full flow. Unfortunately, Rothwell tried to repeat this and mistimed his shot and found the fielder at cover. At 21-2, 150 seemed a long way off. Despite no words being muttered, a number of worried faces in the Audlem changing room appeared to suggest Audlem were staring down the barrel. However, cometh the hour, cometh the man Irfan Shaik. He joined measures in the middle and the pair combined to put on 70 for the third wicket. Shaik went though his full repertoire of shots, including an incredible cover drive for 6. Measures, by no means playing second fiddle to Shaik, demonstrated his stroke play. He excellently manipulated the field to create gaps and the pair produced a match winning partnership. Unfortunately, Shaik was denied the 50 he deserved when he was trapped LBW with one that kept a little low. This brought debutant Salisbury to crease. Unfortunately, it was Déjà vu and Salisbury was trapped LBW by the impressive Audley youngster Davies-Majer. This brought skipper Chris Shenton to the crease. Despite carrying a foot injury cause by the rubbing of a pair of new Addidas cricket spikes, Shenton did not let his blistered feet from seeing his side close to line. Shenton hit a 'blistering' 40 ball 36 which included four 4s and a towering 6. Despite the late dismissals of Measures and Shenton, a delicate late-cut, followed by a powerful cover drive by all-rounder Toraman saw Audlem to their victory target for the loss of 6 wickets with 6 overs remaining.
It was a great start to the season for Audlem to defeat an Audley side who will be there or there abouts this season. The competitive game was played in great spirits with the two sides enjoying a drink together after the game. The partnership between Audlem and Audley will see some of the Audley youngsters turn out for Audlem's Sunday friendly X1 this season.
Irfan Shaik takes the man of the match award for his skillful 42. It is pleasing to see the hard-work he has put in at winter nets working alongside the excellent coaching of Dave Sadler is already paying off. An honourable mention must go to the bowling of Abhijith Jayan who finished with the outstanding figures of 2-13 off 8 overs despite bowling in both powerplays. An outstanding display of high-quality bowling that on another day could have yielded more wickets.
Audlem are at home for their next game and will face a mouth-watering clash against Rode Park 2s. Rode Park began their 2023 season with a comprehensive victory against Onneley 2s in what will be a tough test for Shenton's men. The toss will take place at approx. 12:40 with the first ball to be bowled at 1:00pm on Saturday 29th April.