The 2021 Season gets under way

Despite losing by 39 runs the 2nds successfully launched their 2021 season on a glorious sunny afternoon at the Chart. This may sound like a bit of the Dunkirk spirit coming to the fore but the truth is all three major objectives for the day were achieved: goad the team out of winter hibernation, stimulate the taste for cricket again and brush off a few cobwebs.

Outwood had first use of the new ball and new skipper Max quickly had 7 of his bowlers in action (one-by-one, not all at once!). Understandably there were a few full tosses and half-trackers but on the whole the bowling wasn't bad. Lucas and Zach opened up and were economical early on. Hamish and Ben Cleaver both bowled tidily. The latter should have had a wicket first ball and would have claimed more than his eventual 3 if the fielders had provided more support. The skipper brought himself on late when batsmen were well-set but also bowled well.

Although not running away with it early on, Peter O'Rourke was quick to punish the bad ball and the Chart openers put on 95 for the first wicket in 20 overs before Max struck. Max and Ben then did very well to pull things back to 128 - 4 after 31 overs but with wickets in hand, the Chart middle order had licence to throw the bat. 'Ash' Telukdar smashed a fifty off 27 balls before retiring not out and the brakes were off. Outwood's last 9 overs yielded 118 putting a rather different complexion on things.

In reply, Outwood's batsmen looked like a bunch of guys who hadn't picked up a bat since last season - which is exactly what they were. The older hands (Cleaver M., Bignell G. and Diacon S.) could draw on their memory of season's past and all made useful contributions . The younger players didn't have that luxury although the skipper made a defiant 16 off just 14 balls before being caught on the boundary. Come to think of it, the Senior Cleaver's contribution was more than just useful, it was fundamental - carrying his bat with a very solid 112 not out from 133 deliveries including 18 boundaries. Despite the boundaries it was a patient innings built on a solid defence, putting away the bad ball and taking the singles where available. Not rocket science but exactly what was needed - something the younger players will do well to emulate in the weeks to come.

Speaking of which, there are nets on Wednesday, a home friendly next week and a lot of work to do!