Cricket Web Black v Cricket Web Blue
at Pickford Reserve
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
Black still can't win at one-day cricket - though they did come stunningly close today, throwing away victory against Smith and Demeza in the death overs. With 21 to win, 54 balls to get it, and five wickets in hand, Blue needed a miracle to get anything out of it - which duly appeared.
Blue batted first, and kept up a hefty rate led by Andrew Cloete's charges - he slammed eleven fours in a run-a-ball 85, the innings of the day. However, Wilson took wickets at a remarkable rate, Fuller's batting form of yesterday had suddenly vanished, and Blue succumbed in 44.3 overs - for a total of 231.
Black started cautiously, losing Stedman for 1 in the second over, but Blackman and Gray built a stand of 64 which looked to have sent Black towards victory. Halsey removed Blackman with the help of Cloete's nimble fingers, but with Wilson and Gray in at the 41-over mark, victory looked secure.
However, Fuller broke the stand with an outswinger that was smashed to Camps at mid off, before Smith was introduced in the 46th over, Black now requiring 13 off 30 to win. A beautiful inswinger trapped Gray lbw, and a brace of Warwick and Hoy in his next over sent the alarm bells ringing. Six needed off twelve, with Pickup on strike to Demeza.
In the battle of the rabbits, Demeza beat the bat the first time, but a soft edge beat a diving Crampton and ran slowly away to fine leg for three. Three needed to win; Thompson struck the next one confidently, and Pickup drove straight to mid on for a risky single, and levelled the scores. The next ball, an awayswinger, was left alone, before Thompson attempted the straight drive to win the game.
It went too straight. A magnificent return catch was held by Demeza, ending the match for an unbelievable tie, which sent Blue back on top of the table.
Cricket Web Blue 231 all out (44.2 overs, Cloete 85; Wilson 4/48, Pickup 3/45, Hoy 2/38)
Cricket Web Black 231 all out (49 overs, Blackman 64, Gray 56; Smith 4/35, Fuller 2/36, Demeza 2/45)
Tied
Points: Blue 2.5, Black 2.5
Man of the Match: M. S. Smith
Table: Blue 18.5pts (P6 W3 L2 T1, +0.41), Green 17pts (P5 W3 L2, +0.92); Red 16pts (P5 W4 L1, +0.03), Colts 10pts (P5 W2 L3, -0.36), Black 3.5pts (P5 T1 L4, -1.06)
Tomorrow's fixtures: Colts v Red @ Fardin Qayyumi CC, Green v Pakistanis @ CWBCC Stadium