Cricket Report

Cricket Report

Audlem were well beaten in their home fixture against Ashcombe Park.

Ashcombe Park had no hesitation in batting first upon winning the toss, despite the fact the wicket had a green tinge of grass left on it.

Audlem started well enough, Abhijith Jayan castling the dangerous Proffitt for 16. The visitors recovered to 61 for 1 before a mini collapse reduced them to 68 for 4.

Unfortunately for Audlem from that point onwards they were poor in the field, dropping several chances and with some misfields. Thompson (63) profited and played well to carry his team to 172 for 6 before some late order hitting from Slater (15 not out) pushed the total up to 192 for 6 off 40 overs.

Jake Topping was the pick of the bowlers, bowling with pace and accuracy, and was unlucky to go wicketless of his 8 overs.

With the wicket drying out and becoming another excellent Gorse Croft track for batting, Audlem fancied their chances of a successful chase.

They started brightly with Jake Topping playing the shot of the day, a glorious square drive through cover point for four, and Venu Reddy launching a trademark 6 out of the ground.

Unfortunately 19 for 0 soon became 50 for 8 with a succession of poor shots.

Opening bowler Hallam, having been hit for 6 in his first over, only went for a further 4 runs in his spell to finish with outstanding figures of 3 for 10 off 8.

Audlem failed to transfer pressure back onto the bowlers and got tied up in knots. Vijayan Rahul and Abhijith Jayan rolled up their sleeves and took a more no-nonsense approach hitting 8 boundaries in quick time to show what could have been.

The game finished with Audlem falling to 97 all out with Swift being adjudged LBW.

Well played to Ashcombe Park who thoroughly deserved their victory. For Audlem the turnaround signifies a fresh start to go again in the second half of the season.

The Sunday game was cancelled due the overnight rain that left standing water on the pitch and outfield at Lilleshall.

Next weekend both teams are at home. The Saturday X1 play hosts to Knypersley and the following day we welcome Springhill CC from Wolverhampton to the Gorse Croft with both games scheduled for a 1.00pm start.