Wot no Spinner

Brewood welcomed back Fordhouses to Deansfield Today. The last time these two teams met was in 1998, in the the Staffs Clubs Championship. This the first time in the BDPCL.

Brewood captain Elshaw won the toss and invited Fordhouses to bat. This game saw a return for former First Eleven Captain Steve Madelin, great to see him back at Four Ashes Road.

The Fordhouses openers took little time in tucking into the Brewood attack. The wicket had looked to be tired and flat prior to the match and it became evident very early on that the lack of pace and even nature of the bounce meant that batting would be very straight forward.

The Brewood bowling attack contained no spin option, a decision which the captain soon came to regret. The Brewood seamers toiled away for fifty overs whilst Fordhouses, without hammering the bowling, built a commanding first innings total of 286, opener Key the pick of the batsman, with an unbeaten 135.

The Brewood reply started slowly, with an early realisation that, a starting required rate of nearly six runs per over was too big an ask, Bird and Bews took the opportunity to use the time for ‘useful practice’.

The packed slips cordon allowed the Brewood line up to score steadily, but at no point threatening the mamouth Fordhouses total. Lewis Jelfs too took his opportunity well and scored a confidence building 66 which will,no doubt, help him in the coming weeks. Brewood held on for the draw.

I will remember the game for two reasons, why no Brewood spinner, and why no Fordhouses declaration ?

Aston Manor next week. lets hope for a seaming green one !!!

Philip Clowsley – 05/06/2011