Last week's cricket – one cancelled, one drawn

Last Saturday’s home match for Audlem’s 1st XI against Styal was called off due to a waterlogged ground.  It looks as though there may be a blocked field drain that is causing the problem, as all efforts to clear the water from the outfield failed.  As a result both teams gain 5 points.

The 2nd XI travelled to play new boys Chester Asians 1st XI, who are probably the best team Division 4.  However, they came away with a draw, although they only mustered 4 points to Chester’s 14.

It was always going to be a hard match and when stand-in skipper Zar Ahmed won the too, he had no hesitation in deciding to bowl.  The home team duly set about the Audlem attack, which was bolstered by the inclusion of Simon Swift.  Despite this, Chester Asians scored freely and eventually declared on 214 for 7 after 42 of the allotted 48 overs.  Lyndon Woodcock was Audlem’s star bowler, taking 5 for 64. 

The prospect of facing 48 overs was daunting for Audlem and wickets fell at regular intervals.  Skipper Ahmed’s dogged determination saw him fend off the bowlers as wickets were falling all around him.  Only he and Swift were able to muster double figures as they frustrated the home team.  Ahmed was eventually out for 21, whilst Swift and Dave Parry saw out the overs to earn a creditable draw with the scoreboard showing 75 for 7.

As a result of the weekend’s matches, the 1st XI slip to equal fifth in Division 2, whilst the 2nd XI find themselves bottom of their division, although they have played one fewer match than most of the other teams.

Tomorrow the 1st XI travel to third-place Heaton Mersey Village, whilst the 2nd XI play their first home match of the season, when they welcome Old Parkonians 2nd XI.  The matches start at 2.00pm.  The Sunday XI’s friendly game is also at home when Poppyfields from Willenhall in the West Midlands come to the Gorse Croft for the first time.  The match starts at 2.30 pm.

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