Cricket Report 8th August

Audlem extended their winning streak to 4 games after a nail-biting finish away at Burslem. All rounder Bertie Hardy, held his nerve to clean bowl Sibtain Haider Bukhari with the penultimate ball of the innings with Burslem 6 away from Audlem’s total.

Audlem got off to the ideal start when skipper Chris Shenton called correctly at the toss. After much deliberation, Shenton decided to bat first on what appeared to be a used track. Shenton must have been regretting his decision whilst standing at the non-strikers end watching his opening partner Venu Gopal Reddy and number 3, Irfan Shaik dismissed with just 8 on the board. A less than ideal start from the villagers. This brought the ever dependable Tom Measures to the crease. The two Audlem veterans dug deep to see off the opening pair. The pair shared a partnership worth 32 before Measures saw his stumps knocked back to the swing-king Ahmed. This brought another Audlem stalwart to the crease. Left handed jet-setter Wilson entered the crease. The pair turned back the clocks to put Audlem in the driving seat. Shenton 54 and Wilson 61 not out began to turn the game in Audlem’s favour. If the game was in the balance when Rahul Vijayan was dismissed, vice-captain Blatherwick certainly nudged it in the favour of Audlem with an explosive innings of 34 not out off just 13 balls. Wilson and Blatherwick scored 60 off the final 5 overs to propel Audlem to 201-5 from their allotted 40 overs.

Audlem were bursting with confidence following their impressive showing with the bat but knew that they would need to be at their very best with the ball and in the field if they were going to beat title favourites Burslem on their own patch. Early wickets from Rahul and AJ got Audlem off to the perfect start, leaving Burslem 13-2. Any thoughts of an early finish were squashed when Lowndes joined the expansive Tajik at the crease. The pair added 60 in no time before Swift trapped the Tajik LBW. The experienced Rowley strode to the crease next and him and Lowndes enjoyed another fruitful 50+ partnership before both fell in quick succession to Bertie and Rahul. Usman Yaqub and Syed Haider Bukhari at 6 and 7 demonstrated the depth of the batting power Burslem possessed. Yaqub falling to Topping and Audlem had Burslem on the ropes at 145-6. Skipper Ainsworth joined Bukhari at the crease and the pair blasted the ball to all parts to bring Burslem within touching distance of victory. At 188-6 with just 14 runs required from 20 balls Burslem were heavy favourites for victory. However, never say never has been a bit of a mantra of Audlem’s this year and this team know how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Swift dismissed the dangerous Bukhari, Bertie ran out Ainsworth and Swift got the wicket of Ahmed all in the space of 2.1 overs. Burslem were now 193-9 requiring 9 off the final over to win. Bertie showed nerves of steel going for just 2 runs off his first 4 balls. His 5th ball clean bowled Sibtain Haider Bukhari and Audlem had yet again pulled off the great escape dismissing Burslem for 195. A fantastic game of cricket played in great spirits from both teams. In reality, both fixtures against Burslem could have gone either way and they are a seriously impressive team.

Audlem host Silverdale on Saturday 9th August in a 1pm start. Silverdale will be wanting to avenge the previous meeting which was another nail-biting victory (this time by 1 wicket) to Audlem.