365 Sporting Days

I’m writing this up as Essex have just lost at Kent, Essex were again bowled out in fewer than the allotted overs, 44.5 to be precise. That alongside a loss for Surrey means they’ll be playing on Tuesday to decide who finishes bottom of the table. I wrote a round up of things after the Yorkshire match so one to what was a really great day at Kibworth Cricket Club.

I arrived in good time after a 2 hour drive and got parked up at the Football Club, a walk across farmers fields came next, that was unusual to say the least! I always keep a chair in my boot, just in case, and this was a busy in case event. I set myself up in my preferred spot and found that I’d tagged myself onto a group of friends, who were members of Kibworth CC. They were very welcoming and included me in their day, we had some great conversations.

Sadly this was another loss for this, largely young Essex team, they did however bat for the full 50 overs. Two 18 year olds acquitted themselves well with the bat. Charlie Allison scored 85 from 109 balls and Noah Thain 75 from 71 balls. They were both a delight to watch! Leics had their own young players and one such, Josh Hull at only 18 took 2 for 63 from his 10 overs, a tall lad at 6ft 7, he’s just signed a 2 year deal with the club. Could be one to keep an eye on!

Sadly the rest of the batters didn’t offer much resistance, Beau Webster scored 37 and Will Buttleman 22, but other than these 4 Extras was the only other score in double figures. Essex scored 250 for 8 in his 50 overs.

I wil confess that one of my reasons for taking the trip was to see Rishi Patel batting, I was a fan when he was at Essex and felt he wasn’t given enough of an opportunity, he’s having an excellent season with Leics he’s scored 890 runs in the County Championship at an average of 52.35 and a high score of 179. He had a top scored of 104 in the T20 Blast and 161 in this competition. I couldn’t be happier for him.

Sadly this was not to be his day , he was out for just 9 but his opening partner Sol Budinger, who was also born in Essex, Colchester in fact, scored 102 from 70 balls, he hit 10 Fours and 6 Sixes. He and Peter Handscomb out in 113 for the 3rd wicket. Handscomb was fascinating to watch, before every single shot he dips his bat at ab=nangle, very single one! He scored 69 from 92 balls. Wiaan Mulder, whose name us actually Peter Willem Adriaan, I discovered when I asked one of my neighbours who to pronounce his name, scored 36 from 53 balls. But in common with Essex the rest of the batters Louis Kimber scored 11, the others didn’t reach double figures. Aron Nijjar took 3 for 34 in his 10 overs.

This is designed to be a development competition and for Essex it’s certainly being that, Charlie Allison and Noah Thain had a game to remember and were both great to watch. I’ve only made 2 of the games so far, and have thoroughly enjoyed both in spite of the results. There’s been a lot of success for Essex in recent years and that seems to have led to a certain sense of entitlement from sone fans. As long as these young players have learnt and had a good tournament that’s all good with me. Leics won again today that makes it 7 from 8 for them; I hope they go all the way and lift the trophy!