After last week’s narrow 2 wicket defeat against Old Parkonians, the Squirrels returned to Rectory Field looking to bounce back against Weaverham. Toby Rowe and Adam Dixon returned to the side after missing the previous game due to a wedding, whilst Shiva also returned after injury. Toby once again lost the toss, and on a scorcher of a day were asked to field.
Early wickets would be key, and Shiva made the breakthrough with the score on just 1 as he bowled Dickinson with a fine in swinging delivery. Once again, the opening partnership of Shiva and Amal caused lots of problems, with bowling with great control and swinging the ball around corners. The second wicket of the day came with the score on 20. Amal with a fine away swinger to the left hander, which found the edge. Ganesh spilled the initial catch, but the ball found its way to G who cleaned up and Amal had his first wicket.
20 runs would be added before the Squirrels would pick up their next wicket. Ganesh introduced into the attack from the car park end, and it was an inspired change. A teasing flighted delivery first up, which Simms immediately tried to dispatch for 6. He could only find Jegs in the deep who safely took the catch. Shiva would pick up his second of the day shortly after, finding the edge of A.Lightfoot with Elan taking a simple catch.
With Weaverham now 54-4, Toby then turned to the spin of Sykes as Wilmslow looked to take control of the game. Weaverham took a patient approach scoring in singles as the spin twins both bowled tightly and offering very few loose deliveries. The score ticked over to 90 before a loose delivery from Sykes dismissed the very dangerous Kevin Douglas. A slow and short pitched delivery which should have been sent to the train tracks, somehow ended up in the hands of G at short fine leg.
Ganesh picked up his second of the day thanks to a spectacular diving catch from Toby Rowe. Another floated delivery which Lamb tried to attack but Toby diving forward just held on. It was the same combination as Ganesh finished his spell off with another wicket. Sykes then picked up the wicket of Jake Lightfoot LBW for 29. It should have been 2 in 2 balls for Sykes, however Dixon unable to see the ball as it flew into the sun, opted out of attempting the catch. Elliot Wright then took advantage of this let off and smashed a quickfire 33. L Wright also hit a quick 13 before he was caught by Jegs of the bowling of G. Sykes wrapped up the innings with his final ball of his spell, bowling E.Wright as Weaverham finished 153 all out.
A fine performance from all the Wilmslow bowlers on a good batting pitch. The Spin Twins Ganesh and Lloyd both picking up 3 a piece. Ganesh 3-33 of his 11 whilst Sykes 3-48 off his 11. Another fine opening spell from Shiva saw him pick up 2-26 off 9, whilst Amal impressed again with 1-20 from 6. G also claimed a wicket finishing 1-14 off 2.
Despite the good wicket, 153 was going to be a tough task against a very strong Weaverham attack. Jegs and Sykes both played cautiously to start with as the Weaverham openers bowled tight and moved the ball around. A.Lightfoot made the first breakthrough of the day. A good length delivery which swung away found the edge of Sykes, and a spectacular diving one handed catch from Douglas mean Sykes was on his way back to the pavilion for a 17 ball duck. Despite this early wicket, Jegs and Ganesh showed great patience, punishing the loose deliveries that started to arrive. Ganesh made his way to 28 with five 4’s and one 6 before he fell for 28. Jegs fell shortly after for a very patient 30 from 56 deliveries with five 4’s. Elan arrived at the crease and hit two 4’s and a 6 on his way to a quick 17 before he fell with the score on 106.
Special mention though must go to Adam Dixon, who was clearly in a rush to get himself to Anthology for a pint of Mighty Squirrel. His innings was destructive as he smashed his was to 67 off just 32 deliveries. He hit seven 4’s and five 6’s at a strike rate of 209.38. An incredible effort against a strong bowling attack. Whilst he attacked, it was a fine display of proper cricket shots, with several of his 6’s finding their way into the trees at the car park end. It was a fine innings, and it was fitting that Dixon ended the game with a monstrous 6 that fell just short of the train tracks. Toby Rowe finished 7 not out at the other end as the 6-wicket win was wrapped up.
A fantastic win for the Squirrels which puts the Squirrels in 7th place with 62 points, after 3 wins and 3 defeats from the first 6 games. This week the Squirrels travel to Langley, who sit in 8th just 5 points behind Wilmslow.
