Match Report - 12 April 2014
The 1st XI season begun in glorious sunshine albeit a bracing wind reminded all that jumpers are a most vital part of a cricketer's kit.
Hampshire Academy were our hosts on the Nursery Ground at the Ageas Bowl and the superb facilities at the world class ground were fully utilised by the squad whom for many it was a first trip out on to grass this year.
Nesan Jeyeratnam, the captain won the toss and elected to bowl and for the first 25 overs the side played admirably. George Scott impressed with the ball, Tanweer Sikander on debut demonstrated a stamp of class and Ben Frazer delivered his usual parsimonious offspin.
What was poor was the fielding. Four catches and one stumping were missed and the general lacklustre attitude in the second 25 overs allowed Lewis McManus to push Hants on to a big total of 285. His 144 not out was a superb innings although the sloppy fielding did benefit he.
In reply Jeyeratnam and Ed Ballard started smartly with the score rattling along at 5 an over. However, as the powerplay finished three wickets went down quickly and Sikander and Jamie Southgate first had to rebuild the innings before flourishing.
They batted neatly, Sikander mustering a run a ball 70 and Southgate his first century for the county. Their partnership broke the total and it was left to small cames by Scott and Joe Cooke to accompany Southgate to the end and a decent victory.
Next Sunday (April 20th) the county play Suffolk at Bishop's Stortford ( 11am start) in the final warm up game before the Unicorns Trophy commences the following Sunday.
Iain Fletcher
Team Manager
Full scorecard available via the following link:
Hampshire Academy v Hertfordshire CCC - 12-04-14