Audlem Cricket

Audlem Sunday X1 .v. Middlewich Sunday X1 . 21 May

For the third time this season Audlem's Sunday cricketers were let down by their proposed opposition on the eve of the game. This time it was near neighbours' Woore who defaulted on the fixture as they were unable to raise a team. After a few hopeful calls the fixture secretary made contact with Middlewich CC who found themselves in a similar position and a match was arranged at short notice with Audlem playing hosts.

Middlewich brought a strong team with most players being Saturday league regulars but to the home captain's surprise on losing the toss the hosts were invited to bat first on a glorious sunny afternoon with a decent track prepared and a fast looking outfield in prospect.

Young Michael Burton ( 54 ) was soon into his stride with some glorious shots to all corners of the ground to get the hosts off to a fine start and when he departed seasoned campaigner, Dave Parkinson kept the scoreboard moving scoring a stylish 93 not out aided with valuable support from Ollie Banfield (13 ) and Marcus Taylor ( 21 ). Audlem's innings came to a close on 242 for 7 but they realised at the tea interval that given the conditions and strength of the opposition the total was probably a little under par.

Their fears were soon realised on the resumption as openers' Bushell ( 104 retired not out ) & Cummings ( 36 ) accrued 121 for the first wicket. Audlem's bowlers kept plugging away with Usman Ghani being the most successful in stemming the flow of runs with fine figures of 10 overs 3 wickets for 49 runs . With the game always in the balance Middlewich were left needing 4 to win off the last over. This was duly achieved with M. Azakli ( 51 not out ) fittingly striking the winning boundary to complete his half century and give his team a well earned victory.

An excellent game of cricket played in glorious Summer sunshine with a healthy crowd of spectators was just reward for making the effort to get the game on and a great deal of thanks must go to Middlewich for agreeing to travel at such short notice.

Next Sunday Audlem are due to travel to Burton CC ( Chester ) and are desperately hoping not to receive any phone calls on the Friday afternoon from the hosts.

John Wainwright

Audlem Cricket Club