“The 39 Steps”

Match: 21 / 534

Lost by 6 wkts

Team	Total
FFTMCC	108 - 4
M. Rundle 29, J. Webster 29
St Clements Strollers	109 - 4
M. Reeves 1 - 8

So, what’s the connection between this match and John Buchan’s famous novel? Well, pretty tenuous really. John Buchan lived in Elsfield, just outside Oxford, where a blue plaque signifies his impressive house. St Clements were 39 for 3 in 10 overs and heading for defeat until K Nawaz hit 39 off 21 balls to turn the match. Oh, and there was a Buchanan playing, so that’ll do.

During the wettest May on record The MAD squeezed through a gap in the clouds to arrive at Magdalen College ground for the customary 20-20 against the Strollers. Everyone is now an expert on clouds and short term weather forecasts, with minute by minute updates of how Cumulus’s were building in the south west meaning that someone was going to get very wet, but would it be us?

Unscheduled non-rain at Magdalen.

The MAD were playing with 10 players due to one of our number, Joe, getting the days confused. It’ll happen to us all at some point, especially during this lockdown when there is little to differentiate one day from the next. Thanks to the opposition for providing an extra fielder and in fact putting some of our side to shame with their commitment to putting their bodies on the line to stop their teammates scoring more runs.

The Strollers won the toss and sportingly allowed The MAD to bat first. Skipper Russ was determined to play no part in the match other than delegating to his troops, so sent out Emerson and Webster to get The MAD innings underway. Dave got us off to the perfect start by smacking a four off the first ball, but things went progressively downhill from there in dot, dot and out. Gary took a similarly aggressive approach, hitting a couple of nice fours and scampering for a couple of two’s before being bowled for 13.

Next to the crease was Mark Rundle. In partnership with Jan they steadily built a stand of 60, but failed to hit a boundary for 12 overs. That meant a lot of running and both were flagging after about 2.5 minutes. It wasn’t for lack of trying however, with Rundle in particular executing some spectacular swings across the line but failing to find the necessary timing. He also got lucky with the ball striking the stumps with an audible thwack, but the bails failing to fall. Both were very mindful of the rule to retire on 30 and beautifully judged that they should chuck away their wickets on 29. Reeves came in for a quick fire 14 not out and was accompanied by Harris (1 not out) to propel The MAD to a more than creditable 108 in 20 overs.

Mr Rundle in destructive T20 form with the bat.

In reply The Strollers sent out D Bradford and J Head, two classical batsmen who Roberts (4-1-15-1) and Reeves (4-0-8-1) managed to keep quiet in the early overs. Roberts accounted for the dangerous Higgs and with the Strollers 39 for 3 after 10 overs, The MAD were clearly favourites.

We’ve written about ringers before in these reports. The MAD are blessed with a very ‘average’ selection of players. None too terrible but no shining stars either. This is reflected in how MOTM and even POTS awards are distributed widely around the squad. It is a little galling when one player from the opposition has clearly played at a higher level but comes and smashes our pies out the park to completely turn a game. As has also been mentioned before, what to do in that situation? Ban them for being too good? Ask them to not play to their full potential? It’s difficult, but without 39 off 21 balls from Nawaz, it’s difficult to see how The MAD would have lost this one.

Russ ensured that MOTM Rundle wouldn’t be able to move the following day by bringing him on for a couple of overs when the match was all but over. Congratulations to Buchanan and Andre for seeing the Strollers home. Thanks to the Strollers for an enjoyable evening, great to be playing cricket in the evening again and a good all-round performance. That first victory is surely just around the corner.

‘Reevsie’

*

Statto Scorecards

Far from the MCC versus St Clements Strollers CC Played at Magdalen College, 19 May 2021 St Clements Strollers CC won the toss and elected to field St Clements Strollers CC won by 6 wkts Far from the MCC debuts: n/a

21 / 534 20 over match

Team	Far from the MCC
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1	D. Emerson	b R. De Silva	4	(4)	1	-	1-4
2	J. vdG. Webster	st Carter b Andre	29	(43)	1	-	3-79
3	G. J. Timms	b Brennan	13	(10)	2	-	2-19
4	M. S. Rundle	b Andre	29	(47)	0	-	4-102
5	M. K. Reeves	not out	14	(14)	2	-	-
6	J. Harris	not out	1	(3)	0	-	-
7	C. D. Roberts
8	D. Shorten
9	R. P. Turner *
10	J. C. W. Hotson †
11
	Extras	NB1, W6, LB2, B9	18
	TOTAL	(for 4 wickets, 20 overs)	108

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts	Econ
1	R. De Silva	4	0	17	1	4.25
2	Brennan	4	0	15	1	3.75
3	Jones	2	0	7	0	3.50
4	Nawaz	2	0	12	0	6.00
5	Buchanan	4	0	22	0	5.50
6	Andre	4	0	19	2	4.75

Team	St Clements Strollers CC
#	Batsman	How Out	Total	Balls	4s	6s	FOW
1	D. Bradford	b Reeves	12		2	-	1-20
2	J. Head	lbw b Harris	19		1	-	4-49
3	J. Higgs	c Rundle b Roberts	2		-	-	2-23
4	G. De Silva	b Shorten	5		-	-	3-39
5	K. Nawaz	retired	39		4	3	-
6	R. Buchanan	not out	16		1	-	-
7	B. Andre	not out	13		2	-	-
8	R. De Silva
9	S. Jones
10	H. Carter †
11	J. Brennan
	Extras	LB3	3
	TOTAL	(for 4 wickets, 18.3 overs)	109

#	Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wkts	Econ
1	Roberts	4	1	15	1	3.75
2	Reeves	4	0	8	1	2.00
3	Shorten	4	1	27	1	6.75
4	Harris	3	0	35	1	11.67
5	Timms	1.3	0	12	0	8.00
6	Rundle	2	0	13	0	6.50

MOTM: M. S. Rundle Champagne Moment: D. Shorten’s slower ball (bowled) Buffet Award: J. Harris’ apple and pork sausages with multiseed buns MAD Moment: M. S. Rundle being bowled but not being bowled

Opposition: V052 / 10 Ground: G043 / 07 Captain: C024 / 42 Match No: 20 / 149