Continuity - Amey Consulting Cricket 2019

 Match 5 v Jacobs (Match Report 17/07/2019)

After England’s ICC World Cup success in 2017 by the women and 2019 by the men, the spirits were high in both camps.

In the last match between these two sides, Jacobs had lost and looked well prepared to bounce back. Jacobs turned up with a changed side from the losing one, looking composed and sharp in their warm up session.

Amey Consulting arrived at the home ground in their new kit which resembled the colours of the talented blackcaps. This was by no means an indication that Amey Consulting intended to come second. A great turn out of players giving several options to the captain.

The weather conditions were dry to start, with a thickening cloud, leading to very light showers, which soon cleared up as the match went on. A great batting track with a very quick outfield.

The toss took place between both Captains Savant and Billy. Billy called for heads and lost the toss. Taking in to consideration the strength of chasing runs and having the confidence in the conditions being ideal for batting, Savant decides to go with what Amey Consulting do best and bowl first.

Kenny opens the bowling from the City end with great line at medium pace. Jaidipe takes on the bowling attack from the other end, challenging the batsmen and keeping the run rate to 5 runs per over. Jacobs Captain Billy made a great start to his innings by selecting some tidy shots through the gaps, forcing Amey Consulting to make changes in the field. Jacobs run rate began to creep up, putting pressure on the bowling. The bowling by Usman from the City end could not initially disturb the partnership between Billy and Ryan. Usman began to find his form and kept the runs down. Unfortunately for Amey Consulting it was not a great day in the field. Amey Consulting’s fielding did not look as sharp as it has been in the past, giving away some cheap runs with misfields, over throws and slipping in the field. Savant makes the decision to join the bowling attack from the other end. The Umpire calls a wide which was appealed against by Savant, as it looked to him as a bit of an unfair call. This rattled Savant, who took a fast run up and bowled a quick Yorker to Ryan at middle stump in reply, breaking this opening partnership. The dismissal of Ryan for 13 runs, introduced Jack to the crease who came in to show his intent. The match began to swing in the direction of Jacobs once again, with a strong partnership between Billy and Jack. They were looking unstoppable and had their eyes set on a big total. This time even Bhav could not contain the run rate. This could only mean one thing, that Amey Consulting had to introduce their very own star bowler Stokes. Stokes came on and immediately dropped the run rate in his first over. The skies began to open up with scattered showers, not allowing Stokes to spin as well as he has done. Jacobs tried to capitalise on this, until Stokes changed his action to a slow and straight ball forcing Captain Billy to sky the ball, only to fall in to the safe hands of Captain Savant (following a little juggle of the wet and slippery ball) at mid-wicket. There were jubilations following the dismissal by Stokes with the crucial wicket of Billy on 26 runs and ending the partnership with Jack who was on course to retire. Jack was joined by Oli who managed to stay at the crease, after Jack had retired. Raj joins Oli to keep the scoreboard ticking, but Stokes takes advantage of the new Batsman, clipping his balls off at leg stump with a beautiful text book delivery. Jacobs had already done severe damage by taking the score to atleast 140 runs with 4 overs remaining. Some good boundaries were hit by Jacobs of which one 6 went out of the park. Faizan made his bowling debut with some off spin and Danny helped to steady the ship with great line and length as he does. Jacobs tried to finish off their innings in style with the introduction of Sachin (not Tendulkar) who hit a quick 17, until they had a mix up in the running, which Amey Consulting capitalised on. The stand out fielding performance took place at this time, where the ball was taken well by Keeper Jaidipe (M.S.) and was almost a repeat telecast of the ICC World cup final when Butler ran out New Zealand’s Guptill in the last ball of the Super Over. Sachin was followed by Khomal, Jacobs female player with only 2 balls to face. The Jacobs innings ended on 167/4 from 20 overs.

The run chase of 168 looked quite high but not out of reach for Amey Consulting who were yet to prove themselves with the bat for a score as high as this. As the day was not the best for Amey Consulting in the fielding, it was crucial that they performed with the bat.

Amey Consulting began the chase with the tried and tested opening partnership of Kenny and Sproston. Both got off to a great start and getting their eye in early. The run rate consistently stayed at 9 an over with a few economical overs by Jacobs. Amey Consulting were very focussed and were making a statement with the bat. A superb opening partnership of 45 runs off the bat plus the extras from Kenny and Sproston. Kenny was soon to retire as he was on 29 runs. Hitting a beauty through deep square leg and running 5 runs between the stumps. This took Kenny through to retire on 34 and a well-deserved standing ovation by the dressing room. Kenny laid the foundation hitting five 4s, giving Theo the opportunity to further progress the chase. Unfortunately the pace bowling by Jack took Theo out at middle stump without any runs to his name. Stokes followed the dismissal of Theo and got off the mark instantly, running very well (diving again to his crease) between the stumps with Sproston. Sproston with his commendable innings hitting three 4s was 1 run away from retirement. He gets a shout from the pavilion to go for the big one. Getting caught off the bowling of Ryan. Another standing ovation by the dressing room for a brilliant innings. As the run chase was demanding, it required Amey Consulting to increase the run rate that began to slip. Usman replaces Sproston and starts off with a few defensive shots before going for the big low 6 from a beautifully timed pull shot at deep square leg. A good shift put in by Stokes again, hitting 21 but getting bowled by Shoaib with a very good delivery. Needing just less than 30 runs to win from the remaining 4 overs, Jaidipe joins Usman to see this match out. Usman was in top form easily hitting two more boundaries and some quick singles with Jaidipe. Usman retires on 19 runs to allow Savant to join in the fun, needing only 3 runs to win in the 18th over. Jacobs managed to force the single to get Savant on strike and brought back their fast bowler Jack to the attack, trying to apply pressure. Needing only 2 runs to win, Jacobs bowl 4 byes behind the stumps, not even giving Savant a chance to hit the ball. Jaidipe (6) and Savant (0) end the match not out.

Amey Consulting end their innings hitting a superb 170/3 from 18.4 overs. Winning by 7 wickets.

Scorecard Jacobs

Scorecard Amey Consulting

After a not so convincing performance in the field, Amey Consulting turned it around with a top class batting performance.

Player of the match: Thomas Kenny hitting 34 not out.

Highly commendable performance by Chris Sproston hitting 29 runs.

Overall brilliant performance by all involved. Some great standout fielding partnerships by Danny and Paul, a take on the chest at the boundary by Gormley, great efforts to chase and stop boundaries by Olly, good stops by Bhav and Welch in the field.

A special appearance from the board was appreciated by the team, when our Ben Hervey came to cheer us on.

The team spirit, commitment, belief, determination and adapting mentality to the conditions was at it’s best. The way played and picked ourselves up when we lacked in some departments showed just how mentally fit and physically fit Amey Consulting are. The team integration and bonding has been a great success and it really demonstrates the great quality group of people we have at Amey Consulting. On to the next win……… Arup is our next challenge.

Coach Morgan comments:

Great performance by the team. Was very impressed all players took the advice on board and put it into action. Great innings by Kenny, Flintoff of the 05 series. Stokesy another strong game. Usman took the 6 like a pro. Captained brilliantly by Abdul, we go again lads. Club man of the year Ollie Dix.

Stand out quotes from our team coach Morgan:

"Don't hit it straight down his throat"

"I think you need some bigger gloves" at their keeper.

 #healthandwellbeing #teamsport #teamwork #cricket #mentalhealth #champions? collapse