SCORECARD

Boundary Breakers CC v Old Moseley Arms CC
at Bromsgrove Cricket, Hockey and Tennis Club


A game deserving of a rare match report.

Thanks to two magnificent performances with the bat, and a legendary set of bowling figures, Fitmen overhauled a target of 258 in a baking Bromsgrove, their highest ever successful run chase.

Tom Rowland hit an unbeaten 125, while Waseem provided an outstanding supporting role, scoring 92.

Earlier Ian Nutt took a five-for with his left arm twirlers bamboozling the Boundary Breakers.

Tom, having opened with brother Harry, struck some meaty middle-of-the-bat boundaries through the covers as the hosts' pace attack punished for some wayward bowling.

But Sailor's innings was a fully formed wagon wheel with all parts of the boundary breached.

Waseem showed uncharacteristic self-restraint in his supporting role, recognising that if we were going to chase down 258, both he and Tom needed to get big scores.

After successfully navigating the jeopardy that always follows the drinks break, runs came more and more fluently, and with a boundary nearly every over, along with a couple of wides nearly every over, the run rate was kept in check.

Tom's 100 was greeted with great cheers from the Fitmen sheltering from the Worcestershire sun, and this was followed a few balls later when Waseem reached his 50.

The experienced Fitmen on the sidelines were desperately trying not to say the unthinkable out loud - that it looked like we were actually going to win this. There have been far too many cases of us snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, and there were nerves hanging in the air.

Not so out in the middle though, as Waseem cut loose after reaching his 50, giving Tom some respite while brother Harry, umpiring, fed him wine gums and water.

As the runs required approached single figures, it looked as though Waseem would miss out on a ton. Word got out to the middle that with 10 runs to win, Waseem needed 9 runs for his century.

Tom dropped anchor, and even four byes that flew down leg to the boundary weren't signalled by the umpire.

Sadly, a few wild swishes later, Waseem was castled for 92.

And a Fitmen record third wicket partnership of 206 was over.

It was left to Tom to finish off the victory with a couple of smart boundaries.



And it had all started so badly...


Reluctant skipper Stevie Nicks found himself wearing the captain's armband for the second time in a month.

Tails was called at the toss and, naturally, it came down heads.

We were bowling first on a very hot day.

Again.

Waseem and Sherif opened the bowling and some very tidy overs frustrated the Boundary Breakers openers, who were struggling to get going. A couple of mistimed hoiks flew away safely until one impatient swipe saw Sherif take the first wicket.

Better batters came in and found the boundary regularly as the Fitmen toiled and flailed on the straw-like outfield.

Malik took a couple of overs to find his groove, but when he did, he caused all kinds of difficulties for the batters. Suddenly he went bang-bang and bowled two in two to set up a hat-trick. Unfortunately, those heroics caused a severe calf strain and Malik couldn't bowl any more. So, he became the latest in the tradition of Fitmen who end up hobbling around the outfield, barely able to walk.

Rana was rapid and troublesome and very unlucky not to get a wicket.

Likewise Sam Lockyer, who saw two consecutive chances shelled in the deep, followed by another sharp chance that was put down.

Four or five dropped chances were spilled in total.

Nicks managed to cling on to one at wide long as Nutter claimed his first victim.

And in a thrilling three-over spell, Nutt bowled one batter, took a brilliant diving c&b, Tom juggled but held on to one at long off and Bicey’s rapid glovework stumped a fifth.

Great to see Nutter back in the wickets and leaping up the table towards the Leading Wicket Taker title.

A word for the Boundary Breakers. They were a new Oppo for us and were great hosts, gave us sandwiches and played the game exactly how it should be played. They are a good team and, on another day, would have battered us.

But it was Tom's – and Fitmen's – day.