July 4, Cricketer Cup second round v Marlborough Blues, at Marlborough

Marlborough Blues 321–7 (E Kilbee 118, G Adair 69, J Bill 52); Sherborne Pilgrims 243-9 (C S G Cooke  89). Lost by 78 runs

I looked up the definition of experience in the dictionary before compiling this report. “(Knowledge, skill, based on) personal observation or action or contact; event that affects one (trying, pleasant, curious, experience.”) The Pilgrims witnessed all of these emotions during this game. My own knowledge is that experience at cricket is something that is only gained by playing and watching, usually against better players. Rafael Nadal was quoted as saying that from a very young age he watched the great players of the day and hoped one day he would emulate their achievements at Wimbledon.  It has certainly worked for him.

Ed Kilbee was arguably the difference between the two teams on this day.  His studies at Cape Town University playing regularly in a team with Western Province players and regular practice sessions suggested that he had reached a mature level as a cricketer somewhat quicker than others with less opportunities. It also confirmed my view that the potential for the Pilgrims to reach this level is obvious. But as I have said before and will say again it is only achievable by playing regular cricket at the highest possible level. Maturity also (like good wine I am told) comes with age. This is a young Pilgrims side and it would be a great shame to abandon the progress and the experience gained over the past two to three years.

Kilbee struggled early on and quickly assessed the threat posed by Nurton and Dampney with the new ball. He hoped (perhaps like Hutton in the last game) to “cash in” on the bowling once the shine had gone and he was seeing the ball early. He also anticipated there would be some loose deliveries served up by the change bowlers. His assessment was totally justified.

Nurton bowled without luck. His first eight overs cost 18 runs and removing a slip for his final two overs resulted in three edged boundaries through that area. Dampney suffered a similar fate. Fifteen runs from six overs and a wicket and 55 runs in total from his allotted ten overs. Ed Kelly picked up three wickets but conceded 65 runs from eight overs. Andy Searson’s two wickets cost him 70 runs from eight overs.

The solid base built by Kilbee was used to good advantage by Adair (69), Pike (52) and Marcon (33). The total of 321 was daunting but on a small ground with a lightning fast outfield and a true surface, most sides would expect to score in excess of five runs an over even with sensible batting.

Unfortunately early wickets were lost. Atkins went first ball and Esson soon followed for 8. Jenkins played fluently before departing for 26. It was left to Cooke to provide respectability to the score. He played sensibly and ran well between wickets. He looked a high-class performer and was harshly judged leg-before using the reverse sweep to a ball that all except the umpire were convinced he had hit with the bat. He deserved a century. His wicketkeeping in this game had also been exceptional.  Surely there are worse cricketers playing 2nd XI and Minor Counties cricket than this young man. Well there are because I have seen some of them! There used to be an old cricketing maxim – which has never been discredited even if it is ignored nowadays – that, in picking a cricket team, you should always pick the wicketkeeper first.

There were small contributions lower down the order and a total of 243 was respectable. Important lessons to learn therefore are: a) not to bowl so many long hops and full tosses, b) to concentrate in the field in spite of long pauses resulting from lost balls – we did lapse on too many occasions in this game which resulted in three extra runs most times, c) building an innings and not to panic if the run rate falls below the required rate, d) digest the lessons from this season and make a determined effort to become a better player next year.

Finally a tribute and vote of thanks to Sheila Harding who of course has scored more runs than anybody else this year. I know she enjoys attending these games and we so much enjoy having her.  And on a personal note I would like to thank you all for providing me with much fun and a great deal of entertainment. I am confident there will be more of the latter in a week’s time!

Mike Nurton