Kings CC V Melrose CC

15-Aug-04

Having lost the toss, Kings were invited to bat by the home team on a track that appeared to offer nothing for the bowlers.

Kings got off to a steady, cautious start, with Miller(60), Perry and Evans(41) getting the side to within reach of three figures. However a mini collapse saw Kings slump from 91 for 1 to 105 for 4 in the space of just 4 overs. With the run rate at just over 3 per over and time running out Mackenzie, who was on an 'Audi' and had a previous high score of just 2 decided that it was time to swing the bat. This he did with great gusto as he launched into the bowling scoring a well deserved 38 off only 37 balls, including 2 sixes and 5 fours. When Mackenzie eventually fell to Malik a further collapse ensued as 3 further wickets fell for the addition of just 3 runs.

Kings final score of 178 declared, at tea, was respectable but slightly less than than was thought necessary, bearing in mind the absence of Pipe.

In reply Melrose played cautiously and scored at a virtually identical run rate without, however, losing any wickets. If Kings thought that taking wickets was the answer then they could not have been more mistaken.

With the score on 92 Bygrave tempted Surridge to play at a wide full toss which the batsmen could only clip to Miller at Point. This brought Malik to the crease who systematically took the bowling apart, scoring 50 in just 18 scoring shots including 4 sixes and 2 lost balls. When he eventually fell to Bygrave the damage had been done. Melrose only requiring a further 25 from the last 7 overs managed to knock off the runs without any scares and with 3 overs to spare.

Overall Kings batted well, but perhaps too slowly, made several errors in the field and lacked penetration whilst bowling against good batsman. A reasonable overall performance with only Miller(60) and Mackenzie(38) providing any real highlights.