Povah ‘castled’ another batter

Thames Ditton were welcomed to the King’s Field for the first League meeting between the clubs at 4th XI standard. This is Thames Ditton 4’s first season in League cricket and they proved to be a very enjoyable opposition for the Wick 4s; a good-natured team who played the match to win, whilst giving opportunities to each of the members of the team. Notably, several members of the Thames Ditton side stayed for a drink after the match, a feature of 4th XI matches with is often sadly missing.

The bare facts show a solid all-round performance from the 4s; winning the toss and scoring 189-7 in 40 overs on the King’s Field, and then bowling Thames Ditton out for 78 in 23.2 overs. It was the younger members of the 4s side who each had excellent performances, and these will be the focus of this report.
Dan Kemp opened the batting alongside Dipesh Morjaria. Very good opening stands have been a feature for the 4s this season, and the pair but on an excellent 61. Kemp played himself in before unveiling several aggressive straight drives and punishing the bowlers when they strayed in length. On 43 Kemp was surprisingly dismissed when a delivery ‘stopped’, and he was caught and bowled for what would turn out to be the highest score of the innings.

Tim Jones made a rare outing during the school cricket season as Tiffin cancelled a fixture. Batting at number 3, Jones struggling with his timing on the slow King’s Field surface. Despite this, Jones kept the scoreboard ticking over with 1s and 2s in a well made 19. The blemish on his batting effort was an awful run-out of the skipper; enough said. In the field, Jones was magnificent. Deployed mostly square of the wicket, Jones was very busy. His anticipation, diving and handling were all first class and an example of the fielding standards which the Wick 1s and 2s set on a weekly basis.

Connor Hewitt produced his best batting display in adult cricket. Coming to the crease at number 6 with the 4s on 118-4, Hewitt had 15 overs in which to make sure a decent total was reached. Batting with Ben Houghton, Hewitt took the advice of his senior partner and was watchful whilst he got used to the low bounce. The pair put on 42, of which Houghton contributed 11, as Hewitt accelerated the scoring with 6 boundaries in his innings of 30. Hewitt was dismissed with the score on 169, and he had taken the 4s to a total that was very decent. In the field Hewitt took a wicket and held two catches, whilst contributing some noise.

Kiran Lathia-Hamblin opened the bowling from the Boughey End. During a first spell of 6 overs, Lathia-Hamblin was unlucky to only collect one wicket as he bowled a super off stump line which challenged the Thames Ditton opening pair. A second spell produced 2 further wickets for Lathia-Hamblin, both bowled. Final figures of 8-3-20-3 were just reward for an excellent day with ball.

Zak Collier scored 9 quick-fire runs as he put on 20 alongside Mandeep Singh in the final 3 overs of the 4s innings. Collier opened the bowling up the hill and beat the bat on several occasions, also having a catch dropped. His 4 overs cost a mere 10 runs and he was unlucky not to get a wicket. It was in the field that Collier was outstanding. Fielding a gully Collier took two catches, one super and one a candidate for catch of the season. The first was a juggling effort of Lathia-Hamblin, which Collier grabbed after initially parrying. The second was a diving one-handed effort from a full cut shot off the bowling of Singh; the batsman walked off in disbelief.

Jacob Povah bowled two spells up the hill. Initially the Thames Ditton opener was able to score through the off-side as the 4s skipper kept attacking fields. Povah produced one excellent yorker which the batter somehow kept out. Returning for a second spell, Povah’s first ball was fast, full and straight; the Thames Ditton skipper had no answer and the stumps were demolished. In the same over Povah ‘castled’ another batter before administering the final rights to the innings by bowling the number 11. Figures of 5.2-0-31-3 were the best reward for Povah since his 6 wickets at Ashford in the 2017 season. Having this strike bowling option in the bowling attack will continue to be a key for the 4s this season.

Alongside the 6 younger members of the side, the older players also contributed to the team performance. Morjaria (23), Steans (20), Dunmore (6), Houghton (11) and Singh (12*) all made contributions to the batting effort. With the ball Singh was outstanding – despite hurting his bowling hand whilst dropping a straight-forward chance off Collier – taking 3 wickets for 6 runs in 4 overs of leg spin. Singh is now the leading wicket-taking for the 4s this season.

During the last half hour of the match, the Wick 1s appeared on the King’s Field to support the 4s, fresh from an 8-wicket victory. Vocal encouragement and cheering of each wicket, alongside advice on bowling changes, were very welcomed by the 4s team. We have a great club!

Next week the 4s travel to Walton on Thames, once again playing new opposition.