Cricket-House All Balls
Wanstead A beat Buckhurst Hill by 19 runs 19 November
The Herons A VI took on current Indoor League Champions Buckhurst Hill nice and early at 8.45am, which was a serious challenge to skipper Joe Palmer who had been busy the previous night becoming tired and emotional.
The shock of the early start was compounded by Joe's first sighting of the bright yellow cricket ball, one of another load of balls from Cricket House being trialled in the competition. The lutescent orb against a flavescent background was just too much for Joe, who opted to bat and promptly collapsed into a crumpled heap.
Following current custom, Arfan Akram (28) tried again to run out his skipper. Joe's eventual dismissal allowed Mervyn Westfield (20) to bat in positive manner. His method was simple: "If I hit this rock-hard yellow ball as hard as possible then no one will contemplate getting their fingers in the way." Kishen Velani (who on Friday signed for JUBS TFC) and Zain Shazad contributed only a few, which left Adnan Akram 3 overs to bat by himself. He did a superb job taking the Herons to a healthy 141-5, ended on 53 not out himself.
Wanstead's early bowling was good and so restricted were the champions that they needed 122 in 8 overs. The combination of Adnan and Arfan Akram, twins who enjoyed their birthday last week (Ed - how come they paid cash for all the celebrations?), now became most effective in nearly allowing Buckhurst Hill to win. Adnan bowled 3 overs for 57 runs (with very few maidens, surprisingly) and Arfan gave away 18 byes when pretending to keep wicket Thankfully the Herons had overs in hand from Kishen, Zain Shahzad and Merv, so that Buckhurst Hill could not utilise the Akram "advantage."
The Herons have now played four and won four (Ed - despite the twins' attempted interventions).
Arfan Akram
Head of Communication and Legal (contract negotiations) at JUBS TFC.