The first away game of the 2019 season saw Bracknell CC lose to Kempton CC by 70 runs. A combination of winter blues and youthful exuberance with the bat saw the team fall short on a cold April afternoon.
Kempton won the toss and elected to bat first. BCC only had 10 players and several new members including Shahank and Parvesh in their first game for the club, 1 player was loaned from Kempton for the game (thank you to KCC and Karan). KCC batted fairly steadily throughout the innings with all their batsmen getting into double figures. Bracknell bowled well during the first 20 overs and kept the score below 100 before Azhar took the first wicket. After the drinks break, KCC accelerated, after 40 overs they reached a target of 239 for the loss of 6 wickets. Amongst the wicket takers included Shashank, Rizwan with his googlies and notably Hitesh who has made tremendous progress since last season with his seam bowling. Also a special mention for Salman who kept wicket impressively, even though his keeping gloves were less than ideal (had to borrow a pair from KCC and they had only kids keeping gloves available).
Bracknell started the run-chase with Salman and Karan (borrowed from KCC). The openers made a solid start to the innings and dealt comfortably with anything KCC threw their way. The partnership carried the run chase beyond 120 for no loss of wicket. Then, once again the dreaded drinks break arrived, and shortly thereafter Salman was run-out for 42. Karan carried on fighting for the great cause (against his own team, who didn’t want him), along with the new boy Parvesh, who put on a solid 18 before he was caught. Then disaster struck, Karan the prolific opener was run out for 77 only 23 short of a century! This was unfortunately the beginning of the end, as the rest of the team hardly got into double figures. BCC were eventually all out for 169 with Sunny the last man standing.
Even though the outcome of the game was undesired, it was a very enjoyable and played in good spirit and both teams BCC and KCC deserve credit. On to next week!