Captain Smedley is Green’s star turn (From Malvern Gazette)

Captain Smedley is Green’s star turn

6:21pm Thursday 9th August 2007 in Cricket

BARNARDS GREEN v OLDSWINFORD

BARNARDS Green hosted fellow WCL Division Two promotion contenders Oldswinford at North End Lane on one of the hottest days of the year.

Missing key bowlers Hoogstraten and Ford, captain Smedley decided to bowl first on another beautiful Roy Mayo wicket and backed his batting depth to chase whatever total was set.

This plan looked to be in trouble as Williams leaked early boundaries to Hayward and Blunt and the Green struggled to control the early run rate. Sam Spencer bowled economically with the new ball going for just 13 from his five overs but despite picking up the first wicket, he struggled to show the venom he has displayed on occasions and was replaced by Clack. He also struggled to control the swinging ball and quickly gave way to the ever reliable Smedley.

His introduction brought the valuable wicket of Hayward for 51, adjudged lbw playing an ungainly sweep shot.

At this point the flow of runs was stemmed somewhat by Smedley and his spin twin Drinkwater, bowling for the first time this season. Together they combined to take nine wickets finishing with 5-65 and 4-56 respectively. Only the impressive Blunt with a superb 94 managed to score above 14 runs and thanks to excellent fielding particularly from Harris, who took a superb catch and Clack, who picked up two catches, the Green managed to restrict the visitors to 211 on a day where 250 was probably par.

After the interval the chase began with roles reversed as far as batting styles go with the normally serene Rich Williams playing aggressor with a number of powerfully struck drives and pulls and his partner Golder unusually quiet.

The home side then suffered a double set back as first Golder and then Drinkwater were dismissed by Sukup, the former for 13 and latter for a duck. This brought the aggressive Tim Clarke to the crease; he combined with Williams to force the pace and was particularly harsh on Fladgely, who was bludgeoned for 33 from his four overs.

When he was dismissed for 33 it was left to youngster Phil Harris to play a mature innings in support of Williams. The Green's graceful opener perished stumped off Brewer for a brilliant 86 and skipper Smedley joined Harris at the crease with 60 needed to win.

The Green veteran was fortuitous early in his innings with a set of four overthrows getting him up and running and a lucky boundary through the vacant slip region shortly after this.

From there on in however he was brutal and clinical as he raced to 44no and took his team to victory and 20 league points with overs to spare at 213-4. Oldswinfor collected five points.

Harris finished with a patient 33no with the pick of the bowlers Sukup with 2-57 from his 14 overs.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Barnards Green again play at home this time facing second placed Lye in a possible title decider.