Game 1 v Hereford @ King Edward VI, Birmingham
Sun 1st  June 2008.

Just 39 hours after selecting the 2008 squad we assembled to take on Hereford in a 50 overs West Midlands Cup encounter. A rainy week had preceded and the forecast promised showers.A lost toss saw us put in to bat. Although the visitors` fielding was often suspect a smart run-out of Khalil in the 5th, when communication and judgement were equally in question, disappointed. Whittock had looked untroubled until, in the 10th he spooned to extra cover. Klapper misjudged the line and offered no shot and lost his off stump in the 14th (44 for 3). Cornick at 3 was joined by Payne and a stand of 52 progressed us to 96 in the 31st when Payne (19) was bowled by a change bowler`s 5th delivery. Cornick had hit 3 sweet boundaries in his 45 but then was adjudged LBW in the 34th (107 for 5) when he looked set. Milnes and Nandra then combined for 7 overs for 42 runs, in which both had a life in the deep mid wicket. Nandra perished at cow corner but Milnes, with first Brown then Gateley sailed confidently through to 82*, including 9 fours powerfully hit and his swift running pressured the unsure fielders. A flurry of rain after 44 overs saw us break and take lunch with an agreed 23 balls to be faced to complete our reduced allocation: they produced a further 34 runs. The long boundaries and damp outfield kept us to 208 for 7 off 48.Skipper Milnes took the new ball with debutant Shozair Ali and clean bowled No. 2 + 3 in the 3rd + 7th , whilst partner Ali had No.1 LBW + No.5 bowled within 3 balls in the 10th (12 for 4). White + Payne took over + Payne bowled No.4 Morris their top scorer with 18, in the 18th. Arun Toora`s leg spin met immediate success with a dolly catch + an LBW in 3 balls (43 for 7). Payne claimed an LBW in the 20th  + Toora induced another dolly in the 21st. Brown`s off-spin induced a caught + bowled with his 3rd delivery. Hereford were 45 all out off 21.3    Toora 2-0-3-3, Ali 5-2-5-2, Milnes and Payne 5-2-7-2  all impressive figures!It was a Man of the Match performance by Tom Milnes. Probably only the rain prevented a debut ton at County level. It was a mature and entertaining innings with a pleasing range of clean and powerfully struck shots, mostly well-controlled. His bowling was aggressive and accurate , conceding just 4 scores off the bat in 30 deliveries. He captained intelligently, leading by example but in an undemonstrative manner. Special praise for Shozair Ali on his two wicket debut and to Arun Toor for his 3 for 3.
Game 2            Warwickshire Under 15s.v Worcestershire at RGS Worcester 
Sun 8 June 2008  Win by 4 wkts
This excellent venue bathed in 23 degrees sunshine deserved the fine game served up.

The hosts won the toss and batted. Warks bowled with pace and accuracy + Ali had No.1 caught behind in the 4th by Gateley—the first of his 5 catches. Our fielding was sharp + Worcs showed total respect, advancing to 72 in the 25th, then White took No.2`s edge (71 for 2) + repeated the trick in the 27th (82 for 3). Skipper Milnes in his send spell also supplied Gateley (99 for 4) in the 32nd . Shozair Ali returned in the 42nd and obliged 4th ball + then 2nd ball in his next over (139 for 6) in the 44th . Haris Ismail had commanded respect + caution, conceding 13 runs off 7 overs; he provided Gateley with his 5th victim in the 45th (139 for 7) + 2 overs later held a caught + bowled (172 for 8). Shozair Ali wiped up 2 clean bowleds in the 50th to dismiss Worcs for 180—the final 5 overs had cost 30 runs. Ali`s 9.4-2-36-5 (3 bowled, 2 caught), Ismail 10-3-28-2, Payne 5-2-5-0, impressed.

Worcs were to make us fight all the way : their pace threatened the corridor of uncertainty + Khalil played at a ball he should have left + the keeper took brilliantly wide to his left (9 for 1 in the 5th ) Whittock having frequently shouldered arms then left one that cut back on him + was LBW (18 for 2 in the 8th ) and Payne fenced to the keeper (22 for 3 in the 10th.). Pace + offspin at first change offered little respite. Ismail was caught at slip in the 17th (35 for 4). Cornick + Milnes set about recovery + repair. A 16 over partnership put on 52 runs of sensible strokes but Cornick was caught in the 36th for a patient and stylish 45 then Milnes (30) edged to slip in the 39th (105 for 6). Hassan + Brown heroically set about the Worcs attack with 63 balls remaining + 76 needed. Brown, with a valuable 17 off 25 deliveries manoeuvred as much strike for Hassan as he could. The latter revelled in his task : 69* off 47 balls (7x4, 3x6)—opening paceman Waters went for 13 off 5 balls as Hassan claimed a memorable victory with 7 balls to spare.

These two well-balanced side are due to meet again in the championship. Stand by for fireworks.

Man of the Match  : Ateeb Hassan.
Game 3 v Shropshire @ Bomere Heath C.C.      Sun 15 June      Won by 117 runs

Warks 222 for 6           Shrops 105

A late change of venue took us to Bomere Heath C.C., north of Shrewsbury, to a very pleasant village ground with a warm welcome and a nice wicket. The chilly conditions were the only negative of the day.

Winning the toss, after hours of practice, skipper Milnes chose to bat on a hard, flat track and our 222 for 6 suggested it was a wise choice. Khalil + Cornick put on 53, then Whittock + Cornick another 67 in the next 19 to take us to a solid 120 in the 35th.  Coach Simms asked for 150 by the 40th , with the final 10 to accelerate to 200+  The players responded! Khalil`s 19 was stylish;Cornick`s 74 off104 balls included 8x4: he swept and straight drove imperiously. Whittock carried his bat for 85* off 103 with 11x4. His assault was largely aerial but he spanked Shropshire`s bowling with power, intelligence + courage.

The final 10 overs yielded 73 runs as Milnes, Hassan + Nandra all perished in the thrash. Brown again showed his worth scoring 7 off 9 + keeping Whittock on strike.

Our bowling + fielding this season has suggested  we can defend a 4.5 over rate. Shrops would probably have settled for their 3 an over start—except they were 18 for 3 in the 6th ! Ali found No.2`s edge to keeper Gateley 5th ball in the 2nd over. Milnes tempted No.2 to hit in the air in the 5th + No.4 tried to leave Ali`s final 3rd over ball + lost his leg stump. Shrops commendably dug in for 15 overs but first change, off spinner Brown`s  6th delivery broke the stand (57 for 4 in the 21st ). Toora relieved White + after bowling a few poor deliveries he trapped No.6 LBW in the 24th , bowled another in the 26th  + induced two catches by Ismail at deep backward square off consecutive balls (104 for 9). Brown sealed our victory in the 29th . Shrops had crumbled to 105 all out, giving us a 117 run victory.

Toora`s 4-1-26-4 + Brown`s 9.3-3-36-3 emphasised the value of our spin attack but Ali`s 5-1-12-2 reminded us what accurate pace can achieve.

Cornick + Whittock both played major roles in this victory but Chris Whittock gets the Dinner for Two at McDonalds award for the Man of the Match.
Game 4  v  Staffordshire Solihull School    Sun 22 June
Warks 234 for 6           Staffs 182         Won by 52 runs.
Once again Fortune smiled : following a rain-sodden Saturday, Sunday dawned dry with high gusting winds. With 6 points out of 6 we already headed the table and had qualified to meet Cambridge, the East Midlands winners, in the Regional Final.

Fortune too with the coin : we elected to bat on a nice wicket. Klapper + Cornick showed the wayward Staffs bowling no mercy, and the fielders, under increasing pressure, made countless mistakes.

By first drinks (in the 17th ) 117 were in the bank  + a massive end total seemed possible. Six overs later Klapper was adjudged LBW (133 for 1). His 63 off 73 balls was highly impressive, including 8x4, 3x6 + just 8 singles. Whittock joined Cornick + by next drinks (34) the total was 158—just 48 runs added; the first session rate was 6, the second session 3. Cornick, when on 62 (7x4) got himself caught (158 for 2). Off the final 15,  76 were added, largely by Whittock (42) + Milnes (24). A total of 234 for 6 was, frankly, disappointing, after the fabulous platform served up by Klapper + Cornick. Could Staffs match the 4.75 asking rate? Their top 7 bats performed creditably. However, there was a run out in the 3rd  + Ali found No.1`s edge to Gateley in the 10th (39 for 2).Milnes suffered a calf strain in his 5th so he limped off + Sam White bowled just 3 overs then hurt his ankle + he limped off. Meanwhile Inderpal Nandra was off the field being sick!!! Tom Brown bowled 10 tight overs with 3 maidens for just 36 + Tom Payne gained an LBW with his 1st ball + a smart stumping off his 8th delivery. Staffs were 94 for 4 in the 25th .

Needing to up their rate they added 38 before a run out in the 32nd led to more desperate hitting + Ismail went for 21 in 3 overs but then he clean bowled two opponents + induced an edge to Gateley to end with 3 for 27. Miraculously skipper Milnes returned + gained his reward, an LBW in the 41st . Payne`s accurate medium pace ( 3 for 26) sewed up the Staffs reply: 182 all out. 

Good fortune with the weather has helped us to gain maximum points so we look forward to facing Cambridgeshire away. 

Man of the Match  : Jamie Klapper

Game 5 v Hants at Warwick School Sun. 29 June.

Championship 105 overs min. Hants 221 for 9 Warks 182 for 4
Warks 11 points Hants 7 points. Match drawn.

Having won the toss Warks inserted Hants + restricted them to 3 an over. Milnes ` pace bowled No.2 in the 5 th + Brown had No.1 ct+b in the 20 th (59 for 2). Ismail deceived No.3 with a ct+b in the 29 th (86 for 3) + then a 4 th victim in the 45 th .

It was always a safe bet Hants would bat the full 57 overs + they piled on 69 runs in the final 12 overs but lost 5 wickets to grant Warks their full 4 bowling bonus points.

Payne`s 10-3-22-0 was impressive—just 12 scoring shots off the bat from 60 balls.

Warks had to face just 8 overs before tea + Cornick was LBW in the 6 th . Khalil was caught in the 12 th (27 for 2) but Whittock (44) + Payne (62*) repaired the damage with a 16 over stand, + although Milnes perished after a breezy 19 off 22, Ismail supported Payne to the finish to take us to 182 for 4, gaining 3 batting bonus points. 14 of the 48 overs were maidens!

The 9 over advantage is disproportionate + should be reviewed.

Man of the Match : Tom Payne—62 not out (7x4) and 10-3-22-0.

 

Game 6   v  Wales             @ Walmley C.C.          Thurs 3 July 2008
Warwickshire 244 for 5 (56 overs) (11 points), Wales  193 for 9 (50 overs)  (9 points)

Overnight rain, and with showers forecast, made the outfield wet + slow. Wales, on winning the toss put us in. Whittock + Khalil got us off to a sound start but in the 13th  Khalil (31) was adjudged LBW (63 for 1) then Whittock (27), off balance,  also went LBW in the 15th  (68 for 2). Payne + Milnes progressed to 81 in the 22nd  then Milnes hit high in the air off the leg-spinner + was caught at midwicket. A rainstorm took us off for 47 minutes but Ateeb Hassan soon showed his intentions and, supported by Payne`s 40 off 91 balls, Hassan dominated play for 111 minutes as he scored 107* off 103 balls including 7x4, 8x6—an entertaining + impressive knock. Payne was bowled in the 47th  then Maynard + Gateley saw us through to 244 for 5, when we declared  after 56.  Wales required almost 5 an over.

Captain Milnes looked to attack but also to strangle the visitors: unfortunately he suffered a personal nightmare, conceding 32 off his opening three overs. Tom Brown`s off-spin was substituted + this proved a master-stroke as he bowled No.1 with his first delivery, round his legs.—43 for 1 in the 7th . Maestro Brown then had No.2 caught at midwicket in the 11th  (48 for 2). The game  had swung from one extreme to the other! Wales dug in cautiously for 19 overs + progressed to 128  in the 30th  when Sam White tempted No.3, + Khalil at deep cow safely pocketed a skyer. Potentially  25 overs for Wales to score 117 for a victory—nearly 5 an over. Milnes then wisely introduced Toora`s leg-spin + he obliged in the 35th , 39th  + 41st with Milnes bravely returning himself to collect wickets in the 36th + 40th. At 162 for 8 Wales could only try to hang in whilst we strove, firstly  for a 9th wicket which earned a 4th bowling bonus point, + then a victory to gain the prized 20 maximum points for a win: Wales are almost certainly the strongest side in West Division 1, besides ourselves.. This result may well decide who goes to Oundle for the play-offs! So when Shozair Ali was re-introduced his final 5 overs conceded just 9 runs but he frequently beat the bat. The umpires deemed a 21st + final over could be squeezed into the “last hour”. With the 2nd ball Ali took the 9th wicket but Lady Luck departed + Wales scraped their draw.

A superb contest with twists + turns, highs + lows. Where better than atamy Walmley C.C. such  warm-hearted + generous hosts?

Man of the Match : Ateeb Hassan 107* (50 in 55 balls, 100 in 100 balls)
Game 7  v CAMBRIDGESHIRE @ Pembroke College  Fri.11 July
Midlands Regional 50 overs Final.  Cambs.216  Warks 76 for 5  Abandoned rain

Warwickshire won the toss + chose to bowl. Cambridge had 24 on the board after 3 overs—4 off the bat. Three Cambridge batsmen contributed significantly—with 68, 60 + 30. From 28 for 1, 139 for 2, 175 for 3 in the 36th  Warks recovered, taking 7 wickets for 41 runs in 10 overs. Shozair Ali was the pick of the bowlers with fine figures of 7.1-0-13-5. With rain forecast we had urged the earliest possible start but Cambridge had a dry innings + a dry, fast outfield. Warks had just 30 minutes` batting before it rained, scoring 27 off 8 overs. 77 minutes rain then reduced the overs available + another downpour at 5.05 brought us off again with just 25 overs faced. The game was abandoned with Cambridge the winners on run-rate. The rules so disadvantage the side batting second when rain repeatedly interrupts play.

 The players deserve our sympathy: after a 7.45 coach departure + breakfast (how early?) they got no drink served until 25 overs @ 12.39, just water bottles on the boundary. They did get some squash with a single roll + beefburger + choc-ice “meal”.—a totally inadequate offering for varacious youths who did not get home until 9.00. It is irresponsible to plan + offer such light fare. When the coach + manager were told there was no food left at lunchtime they were baled out by the kindness of parents. However no drinks were available. To add insult to injury the dining room was locked after the break so there was no indoor retreat during the rain for adults. The groundsman/caterer was absent when the rains came so the boys were forced to put on + remove the covers. Then to discover two iPods + two mobile phones had been stolen from the visitors dressing room just about capped the day we all want to forget.