Devon Dumplings v South Oxfordshire Amateurs
Wednesday 23 August 2023 at Valley of the Rocks
DD 301 – 7 dec SOAs 306 for 5. SOAs won by 5 wickets.
The Dumplings arrived for a game at The Valley of the Rocks blessed with sunshine and blue skies, very different from the recent incessant rain. Captain Harry Kandampully won the toss and chose to bat on what looked like a glorious day for batting.
Adam Bilston and James Ewen opened for Dumplings in a positive manner, reaching 50, but finding boundaries hard to come by due to the wet outfield . Good shots failed to make it to the boundary rope. Bilston (36) was caught by Jefferis at mid-wicket trying to clip it off his legs with the score 71-1 (J Ewen 30*). Sam Cuconit (3) followed shortly, caught at slip off the bowling of Allen. Jack Geraghty (30) joined Ewen at the crease and hit 4 huge sixes during his 18 ball stay at the crease before edging behind off Allen (112-3, J Ewen 38*).
Sam Ewen (15) then joined his brother, survived a very close run out before reaching a well-constructed 50. With the score on 144 S Ewen was then bowled by Allen (3-42) leaving Dumplings 144-4. Joel Seward joined J Ewen 50* who assumed the aggressive role until he ran past a straight one and was bowled for 59 (159-5).
James Grady joined Seward at the crease, both batting sensibly to pass 50 and putting away the bad balls. At drinks the score was 225-5. Aggressive shots from Grady and inventive ones from Seward saw the run rate rocket after drinks with the declaration in mind. Seward (68) finally fell caught at short fine leg off Green trying another scoop with the score 280-6. Kandampully (3*) joined Grady (67) who smashed the Dumplings up to 300 but was finally stumped with the score 300-7, which seemed enough for a declaration.
Grady and Jim Keates opened the bowling for the Dumplings, with the latter bowling Basford (5) with the score on 5-1. Grady then followed up by bowling the unlucky Mallick (4) with the score 12-2. Kulkarni (2*) was joined by the equally aggressive Capel (16), both batsmen scoring quickly to take the score to 56 when Capel was caught by Grady off Keates at midwicket making the score 56-3 (Kulkarni 28*). Keates removed the adventurous Knightley who was attempting to go over mid-on and was well caught by Geraghty (65-4).
Ananthanaryan from the outset looked to take on the bowling, repeatedly coming down the wicket hitting over the top. Youngster Keates in particular bowled a fantastic opening spell of 8 overs 3-35, his controlled inswing causing difficulty for all the batsmen. There may be a few Premier and A division clubs interested in securing his services for next season.
Geraghty (0-28) and S Ewen (1-47) replaced the opening bowlers with the latter picking up the wicket of the attacking Ananthanaryan (12) caught behind leaving the score 107-5 (Kulkarni 58*). Crouch came out and alongside Kulkarni treated the crowd to a display of incredible hitting, including 18 sixes between them. The skipper tried numerous bowlers and variation of tactics but the pair were too good for us on the day. Kulkarni (148*) batted well but Crouch’s 101 off 47 balls was a highlight that will live long in the memory of all those who had the pleasure to see it.
A thank you to the umpires, scorers, groundsman, and South Oxford Amateurs for a most enjoyable fixture. We look forward to playing next year. Thank you to Wendy for everything else you do behind the scenes to help with Dumplings matches. Your contribution is much appreciated.
Devon Dumplings: 301 for 7 dec. (Joel Seward 68, James Grady 67, James Ewen 59 – Colin Allen 3-42)
SOAs 306 for 5. (Swapnil Kulkarni 148no, Franki Crouch 101no – Jim Keates 3/61)
HK
