Sunday XI v. Hampton & Solihull
WINNING DRAW
On Sunday 18th August, Kenilworth travelled to play Hampton and Solihull in the Arden Sunday Cricket League at their Marsh Lane ground and came away with the better of the day, earning a winning draw.
Visiting captain Geoff Edmunds won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Henry Curran and Dan Roden were hoping to make a solid start for their side, but after a nice four, Roden was bowled by Carroll for 4, Kenilworth 10 for 1 in the second over. Next man in was Matt Casey, he and Curran soon began to build a solid partnership together, the pair going on to add 61 together in 13 overs, Curran caught off Friend for a solid 36, the visitors 71 for 2 in the 15th over. Drew Vyas and Casey then carried on the good work, both batsmen hitting the ball well, Vyas in particular being the more aggressive, clearing the rope three times before he was caught off Gary Speke for a fine innings of 47, the pair adding 83 together in just 16 overs, during the partnership Casey went to a fine fifty.
From 154 for 3, Kenilworth slipped to 171 for 5, as they lost Sam Leach for 11 and Charlie Stranks in the 35th over, with Casey still at the crease, the visitors were looking for a strong finish, Casey eventually fell off the bowling of Speke for a well made 77, with 6 x 4. Joey Poole with 12 not out and Shayan Imam with 7 not out, as Kenilworth closed their innings on a decent 205 for 6 off forty overs, for Hampton, Speke took 3 for 30 in eight overs.
After the well earned tea interval, the home side Openers were hoping to make a strong start, but lost Narota second ball, bowled by Matt Dadswell without score, 0 for 1. Gupta joined Mackie at the crease, but Dadswell and Charlie Stranks were keeping the batsmen quiet. Slowly the Hampton pair began to get their side back into the game, going on to put a solid stand of 71 together, when young Louis Smitheson bowled Mackie for 36, the home side 71 for 2 in the 19th over. Dan Roden replaced Smitheson, and soon had the new batsman Scott out, caught by Smitheson for 3, now 84 for 3, Roden then had Batsford lbw for 5, now 94 for 4 in the 27th over, the home side now struggling to keep up with the rate required. Gupta though stood firm, and went to a solid fifty, but the return of Matt Dadswell soon ended his innings, bowling him for 53, the home side up against it on 120 for 5 in the 35th over. Friend with 23 not out and Speke saw their side to the last over, but Charlie Stranks had Speke caught by Vyas for 6, as Hampton ended their innings on 136 for 6 from their forty overs.
For Kenilworth, Matt Dadswell with a fine 2 for 17 off eight tidy overs, Dan Roden taking 2 for 23 off six good overs, 1 for 29 for Charlie Stranks off eight overs and a wicket for Louis Smitheson with 1 for 26 off 5 overs. Kenilworth getting the winning draw and collecting 16 points, with one more league match of the season left, Kenilworth have had another impressive Sunday Cricket League season.
