Audlem Cricket Reports

Audlem Cricket Reports

Saturday X1 (Simon Swift) vs Endon

Audlem defeated Endon to make it 4 wins o ut of 4 to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2023 season. For the 3rd time in 4 weeks skipper Chris Shenton lost the toss. On this occasion he was asked to bat first by Endon skipper Phil Reynolds. Although, Audlem tend to favour chasing a score, on a hot day in South Cheshire, it could be said it was a good toss to lose.

Shenton and Butler strode to the crease and showed their attacking intent immediately, looking to dominate the first power play where only 2 fielders are allowed outside of the 30 yard circle. The pair put on 47 in just 8 overs before Shenton was dismissed trying to run on a misfield. Young Endon keeper Simcock accurately through the stumps down and Audlem were 1 wicket down. This rejuvenated the visitors. The visiting captain, Phil Reynolds changed his bowlers which included the introduction of his son Josh. Josh, who last season opened the bowling for Endon's first team in division 1 was recovering from a shoulder injury and has dropped down into the second team to gain match fitness. Eyebrows were raised when Reynolds marked his run up all the way to the field end boundary. After the first delivery Audlem knew that these 8 overs would be challenging to say the least. Reynolds' rockets were something the Audlem batters weren't accustom to. This accounted for 3 wickets in as many overs. Butler, Measures and Shaik were dismissed in quick succession. When Rothwell fell LBW to Hamnett for 12 Audlem had collapsed to 68-5 on what appeared to be a good batting wicket. Audlem knew that they would have to dig deep if they were to post a competitive total. This brought Jayan to the crease. With Reynolds taking a break from bowling, Jayan and Toraman took the counter attack to Endon. Toraman hitting several boundaries against Reynolds' rockets. Toraman fell to the leg spin of Vujcic but Jayan continued to keep the scoreboard ticking which forced the Endon skipper to once again turn to his strike bowler. His plan worked immediately as he clean bowled Jayan in his first over back. Jayan was gone for a quickfire 32 which included 4 fours and 2 sixes. Swift joined Parkinson at the crease with Audlem 134-7. Swift and Parkinson batted sensibly to see off the remaining 3 overs of Reynolds before taking the attack to the other Endon Bowlers. Despite Parkinson falling to the returning Wood, a late assault of big hitting from Nair helped Audlem to finish on 192-8 which Audlem felt represented a competitive total. Swift finishing 27 not out and Nair 20 not out.

Audlem knew that they would need to bowl and field well if they were to defend a score of under 200 at the high scoring Gorse Croft ground. The pitch was flat and the outfield was quick.

Audlem's opening bowlers Jayan and Swift kept things tight in the powerplay. As the pressure grew, Colclough was tempted into a big shot and saw his stumps rearranged by the impressive Jayan. At the end of the powerplay of 8 overs, Endon were crawling on 12-1. Sebin Sunny and Saini Nair kept the pressure on eventually had a wicket to show for his hard work when he bowled the talented youngster Simcock for 20. This sparked a collapse thanks to some excellent tight bowling by all of the Audlem bowlers backed up by some electric fielding which included 2 run outs. Swift with the first and Rothwell's direct hit was a fitting end to an excellent team performance. In truth Endon never really got going with the bat. They were eventually dismissed for 99 in the final over of their innings. This gave Audlem a comfortable win in the end by a margin of 93 runs. A real team effort to give Audlem their 14th win in a row dating back to the middle of last season.

Audlem travel to local rival Onneley on Saturday 20th May for a 1pm start where they will hope to continue their strong start to the season.
Sunday X1 (John Wainwright)
After an enforced break due to the scheduled opposition failing to fulfil their fixtures Audlem's Sunday cricketers were back in action last weekend.

Once again things were not going to plan with the game against Church Leigh ( Staffordshire ) due to be played played at Audlem as Leigh's ground was unfit for play, then on Friday evening the fixture secretary received a call informing him that the opposition were unable to raise a team. After a few frantic attempts an alternative game was arranged with Lymm Outrington Par CC who had also been let down by their proposed opponents.

A 35 over game was agreed between the captains and with Audlem winning the toss skipper Ollie Banfield has no hesitation in batting first. It proved a wise choice as openers' Michael Burton and Richard Irvine put on 80 for the first wicket before Michael had to retire on reaching his half century in very quick time. This allowed the following batsmen to play with a degree of freedom with Usman Ghani also able to retire on that landmark and Rambo Bhukari adding a quickfire 43. The final score after the allotted overs was an above par 229 for 7 leaving the hosts the happier of the teams at the tea interval.

Lymm never really got into their stride against some tidy bowling from the host's varied attack with Connor Howard ( 3 for 12 ) and Richard Irvine ( 2 for 18 ) doing most of the early damage and putting Lymm on the back foot but a special mention must go to young Bertie Hardy who bowled a fine spell with completing his full allotment of overs (7) claiming a wicket for only 17 runs.

A late flurry from the lower order batsmen, especially Lymm's Guyanese captain, Atwell who stroked a blistering 40 not out before he ran out of partners who were removed by the reintroduction of opening bowlers, Rambo and young Jake Topping to put an end to proceedings in the 32nd over leaving the visitors 156 all out.

A special thanks must go to Lymm who managed to put out a team at short notice and play their part in a very enjoyable game of cricket.

Next Sunday Audlem welcome old friends Woore to The Gorse Croft with the game once again starting at 1.00pm

Audlem Cricket Club