1st September 2024 will live long in the memory of the many batsmen who prospered that day - and also in the nightmares of anyone who had the misfortune to be asked to bowl.
An astonishing total of 571 runs were scored across the two innings, with the Philanderers amassing a club record total of 339 (previously 319 v Crusaders). CamCeylon then made a great effort at chasing it down, despite in the end losing by 107 runs in a win/lose 40/40 contest.
After winning the toss the Philanderers batted first, with Ben Cassels and Mel Ragnauth opening up. 2024 has been without a doubt Ben’s marquee summer, having single-handedly taken his village side up for promotion with a match-winning 80-odd the day before, and he picked up where he left off with some powerful shots around the large Exning ground. Mel fell for 17 and Nigel Gadsby came and went without scoring, bringing Ben’s fellow Whittlesfordian Will Hammond to the crease.
The run rate began to accelerate and Ben rode his luck, being dropped at least 4 times (twice by the same fielder) as he eventually and inevitably holed out for an attractive 73. For the second time that weekend Will was outscored by his heftier partner as he departed for 22, continuing a disappointing run of scores for a man with a reputation for relentless consistency, and giving something for the selectors to think about ahead of the upcoming charity tour to Rwanda.
With the score an already healthy 160-4 from 25 overs, a normal Sunday side would perhaps have changed up the remaining batting order, or given some instructions to the incoming batsman to manage the game. But mercy was not to be the order of the day.
In the remaining 15 overs, two centuries were reached by Ed Pearson (101 retired) and Mihir Chandraker (100no) putting on a savagely aggressive stand of 177, which included Mihir’s second 50 runs coming off a quite ridiculous 14 balls (the century itself off 37 balls), surely the fastest Philanderers ton by some distance.
With the game now officially ruined, the teams broke for a high-class Sri Lankan tea very kindly prepared by CamCeylon’s supporters.
Chasing 340 to win from 40 overs was always a big ask, and although the CamCeylon top order went well the required rate kept climbing. The Philanderers opening bowlers Jamie Rutt and Rory Davidson went wicketless but kept things reasonably tight to start, and the first breakthrough came from Emma Radley as she trapped the CamCeylon number 2 lbw and continued with a brilliant spell of swing bowling. Taking 1 for 8 from her first 3 overs and then coming back later to claim two further wickets ending with 3-27, she led the attack along with George Dean who bowled better and better across his two spells taking 3-28.
CamCeylon looked to target the other bowlers, with Davidson coming back and being taken downtown, and some buffet stuff from Cassels and some uncharacteristically loose bowling from Gerald Coteman meant that the visiting side kept going. Wickets did fall regularly enough, however, and in the end CamCeylon finished on 233-7 from their 40 overs, losing by 107 runs.
Thanks to Steve for umpiring and opening up the bar after the match, and to the CamCeylon supporters for providing a brilliant atmosphere and the best cricket tea of the year.
“You were up against some good batters today, pal” (Ben Cassels to an opposition bowler, tea, September 1st 2024)
Rory Davidson
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