Thunderstruck
There was a suggestion that I call this week's blog 'Return of the Kings' to commemorate two former players' welcome return to Riddlesden having left for pastures new after last season. But whilst they both shone brightly in this match (and will receive their dues shortly), cricket is a team game so I've gone with the other event that made a noticeable contribution to the game. Besides, it was one of them who suggested it - can't have too much self-promotion...
No second team match this week, so let's concentrate on the firsts. After finally breaking the season's winless streak last week at Oakworth, this week's visitors were Ingrow St Johns - league winners two years ago and runners up last year. So another stern test in prospect for new captain Naveed.
The game began in hot, blazing sunshine. Riddlesden fielded and made steady progress, picking up three wickets as a massive wall of black clouds slowly approached. Eventually the first crack of thunder echoed across the valley, then moments later the first light drops of rain fell. One more ball was bowled, then armageddon was unleashed. The game was evenly poised at 49-3.
As everyone huddled in the changing rooms and clubhouse watching the downpour and lightning, it seemed a forlorn hope that any further play would occur. But this is England - the seasons change hourly - and eventually things brightened up and the game resumed, if somewhat reluctantly on the part of Ingrow. Perhaps they knew what was about to come. Some excellent bowling and great catching resulted in their last 7 wickets being lost for just 34 more runs - 83 all out. Time was a factor, it was 6:30 and the rules state that at 7pm twenty more overs will be bowled. And then the rain returned...
I would like to mention the umpires at this point. Earlier in the day they had done all they could to get the game back on after the first rain. One told me that he thought it too wet to bowl, but as we were keen to do so, decided to let us try. And as we managed, Ingrow had no excuse. And after the second shower, Ingrow again tried to convince him it was too wet but he and his colleague decided that the game deserved a result so forced the match to continue. So well done umpires!
And a result is what we got. After a steady start, we got some momentum going through big hitting from Mohammad Shahnawaz and Goher Ayoub, who saw us home safely for the loss of just two wicket (and lost 7 balls to sixes along the way). That partnership was a fantastic mix of power hitting and cool-headed singles. The winning six brought celebrations that were exuberant to say the least!
Stand Out Players: As mentioned at the beginning, there were the two returnees - Zahir Abbas (Ziggy) and Mohammad Shahnawaz (Shanny). Ziggy picked up 4 wickets in 8.3 overs, and Shanny blasted 51 (not out) of our 86 response. But I also pointed out this is a team game, and today was a full team effort - Mohammed Zulfiqar and Naveed Hussain took three wickets each, and Goher Ayoub scored 21 (not out) with some fierce blows too. And the fielding by all was immense with 8 catches being taken and some slick stops in the field restricting Ingrow's score. And finally, well done to Naveed on his first win as captain, and for gathering the team to applaud the opposition off the field with proper respect.