MILLER TAKES ALL TEN
Every so often a game throws up an 'I was there' moment, an incident or event sufficiently memorable to linger long.
For those spectators fortunate to witness the events at Carnforth CC on Saturday Chris Miller provided it.
The Cumberland county off-spinner took all ten wickets to fall in Carnforth's innings, recording amazing figures of 10 for 51 from 14.4 overs.
Chris Miller took all ten wickets for Netherfield |
Carnforth were dismissed for 99, well short of Netherfield's 185 for 9 posted earlier in the afternoon.
And the fifteen points gained from the victory took Netherfield to the top of the table for the first time this season- not a bad time to reach the summit with two games remaining in one of the most open title races in recent years.
Re-invigorated by the arrival of sub-pro Wayne Madsen, who played for Carnforth in the first two games of the season, the home side were far from pushovers.
Madsen showed why he is so highly regarded at Unsworth CC in the Central Lancashire League with a superb all-round display but was for once overshadowed by his opposing professional and an amateur.
First the professional the South Australian batsman Callum Ferguson who has been a joy to watch, even in a rain-interrupted season.Ferguson began the game on 1,204 runs for the season, closing in on Terry Hunte's league record of 1,351. His truly outstanding innings of 103 not out took him even closer.
On a wet wicket Ferguson's chanceless century was a delight- and perfectly timed. He reached 50 in the 24th over out of 87 and his sixth league ton of the season in the final over.
Callum Ferguson hit a superb 103 not out for Netherfield |
Hit off 117 balls, including two sixes and 12 fours Ferguson's innings will be one to savour when reflecting on the season whilst sampling a malt in front of an open fire in the dark winter evenings to follow.
Ferguson received good support from skipper Chris Parry the pair adding 77 for the third wicket in 25 overs after the early loss of both openers.
And Tommy Prime leant invaluable support in a sixth wicket stand of 45 just when Ferguson looked as though he may be running out of partners. Miller, who fell stumped off John Denwood, did hit a mighty six off Madsen.
Carnforth bowled and fielded tigerishly, their testing and innovative field settings a feature. Madsen toiled away with his off-spin from the pavilion end to take 3 for 77 while the old master John Denwood wheeled away to record 3 for 35 from the far end.
But for their professional Netherfield might have struggled to reach three figures- thanks to him they set an imposing total.There were two games of cricket going on- one while Ferguson was batting, one when his partners were on strike.
Darren Moore and Robert Parker gave Carnforth a solid start and the visitors lost Scott Clement from their bowling attack when he pulled up with a groin injury.
Enter Miller, bowling from the pavilion end. In his first over, the tenth of the innings, he induced a rash sweep from Parker, Clement pouched the catch and Netherfield were on the way.
Madsen came in to demonstrate why he has enjoyed two run-soaked seasons in the CLL, though his over-use of the reverse sweep was a concern. But Miller, now with the leg spin of Marc Hadwin at the other end, looked a man inspired.
Moore was next to go, snaffled by a caught and bowled and Tom Barnfield, caught by Prime at square leg followed.When Lewis Bradley and young Jason Cornthwaite were both bowled by Miller Carnforth were in disarray at 45 for 5.
Miller was obtaining prodigious turn but the only anomaly was why Hadwin, bowling impressively, was not getting wickets. It was just one of those days for him, one he accepted phlegmatically.
Carnforth skipper Adam Hornby perished lbw to Miller and when Richard Forsythe was caught close-in by Clement off Miller the home side were 59 for 7.
Richard Forsythe falls caught Clement bowled Miller |
Miller's county colleague Adam Cowperthwaite at last provided Madsen with a stout partner and the pair batted sensibly, Madsen never afraid to punish the bad ball. The South African reached a fighting half century, made out of 94, with a six over mid-wicket off Miller in the 32nd over.
Then the key breakthrough came, Madsen brilliantly caught by Craig Walmsley at square leg for a superb 57, Carnforth 98 for 8 in the 36th over. His 57 came off 82 balls with two sixes and six fours.
Miller quickly removed Gareth Denwood's off bail and the tension rose to see if he could capture all ten.
Last man John Denwood survived a testing over from Hadwin to leave Miller with the chance to enter immortality.
Sure enough the young man did not disappoint, Cowperthwaite's fighting innings ended by a superb catch at mid-wicket by Ferguson with the fourth ball of the 38th over.
Miller was mobbed by his team-mates and results elsewhere meant Netherfield went top.
And four score or perhaps slightly more spectators could say 'I was there.'
Chris Miller returns to the pavilion after his match winning feat |
Michael Latham's Featured Match
Match 2
Morecambe v Blackpool
Weerakoon stars with bat and ball
Blackpool CC coach Mick Moore has kindly provided a match report of his side's exciting game at Morecambe last Saturday
Thanks to a top professional performance from pro Saj Weerakoon, Blackpool put a halt to their recent run of poor results as they very nearly put a premature end to Morecambe's title hopes.
Following, for him, a very patient innings of 52, Sajee turned in one of his best bowling performances of the season with 4 for 18 off a marathon 25 overs, leaving Morecambe, courtesy of an uncharacteristically reserved 25 not out by Phil Dennison off 93 deliveries, holding on by their finger nails for a losing draw.
When the Seasiders rocked up to Woodhill Lane, prospects of any cricket looked rather gloomy, as our good old English weather appeared to have left the ground unfit for purpose.
But hard work by the Morecambe groundstaff and members and moving the game to a previously used track instead of the one that had been prepared, meant that the match actually got underway on time.
What a difference between the approaches of amateur players at our level and those who play at a level above us! Long live League Cricket!
So when Captin Fantastic won the toss, he made the positive decision to bat first looking to try and take maximum points from the game. Danno's dressing room team talk centred around his batsman taking on more responsibility and building partnerships to produce a decent total.
However, as first Alex Smith (stumped for 1) followed quickly by Adrian Darlington, who appeared somewhat sluggish following his few days off work to attend the County fixture at Stanley Park (LBW 0), Blackpool were left on a familiar looking 11 for 2.
It seemed as if their skipper's demands had passed way over their heads, until pro Weerakoon joined young Luis Reece at the crease. Luis is looking a more mature player with the bat these days and his good form continued today as he partnered the team's popular pro in a third wicket stand worth 63.
Unfortunately drinks worked its magic for Morecambe and he was caught and bowled by the ebullient Tommy Clough straight following the interval, for a well crafted 35.
Sajee was joined by his trusty team mate, Paul Danson, who looked determined to build on the solid base provided by the previous pair, but as he attempted to raise the level of scoring, perhaps a little prematurely, he was well caught in the deep by Woodhead off the bowling of Clough leaving his side at 114 for 4.
Jon Gates took 5 wickets for Morecambe |
Not badly placed. The words "dominoes" and "pack of cards" spring to mind as once more Blackpool's middle and lower order did a very good impression of a group of lemmings heading cliffwards! In a dismal display of batting, they fell away sharply to 134 all out in the 50th over and that meagre total was only achieved because last pair, Richard Gleeson and Mr Cool comfortably put on 19.
Plenty of food for thought in that area, Blackpool. Jono Gates took 5 for 43 for Morecambe
Saj Weerakoon impressed with bat and ball |
So at tea, Blackpool's fighting warrior captain, Danno, yet again had the unenviable task of stirring up his troops to defend their first innings total and show some pride and spirit in the field. This time, it seemed to work.
Morecambe made a promising start before Sajee's breakthrough with the score on 28, removing opener Goyal, gave the visitors a ray of hope. Two great catches in successive deliveries then put Blackpool squarely in the driving seat.
Firstly, Luis Reece removed the dangerous Woodhead with a simply magnificent catch at gully off the bowling of the revitalised Andy Hogarth. I must say that had Luis not held on to that catch, his dental bill would have been staggering! The following ball "Bash" Moore snapped up a characteristic catch diving forwards at backward point off the bowling of housemate Sajee to get rid of Morecambe's captain Mark Lomas for 2 (34 for 3).
It appeared from here on Morecambe lost any interest in going for the win and settled very early on for a losing draw. Top class bowling from young "Moobs" Hogarth (13-6-21-3) and a magnificent effort by Sajee (25-9-18-4) gave Danno's boys real hope of a 15 pointer, but dour "backs to the wall" resistance from Dennison, despite further excellent fielding from the visitors, prevented Blackpool from taking any more than 6 points from the game with Morecambe settling for 4 points on 87 for 8.
Saj Weerakoon bowled a marathon spell for Blackpool |
Obviously, the re-appearance of Richard Gleeson's Gran had a bearing on Blackpool's performance today as she made a welcome return and I am delighted to hear that she is available for our last 2 games of the season, Barrow and Chorley, both at home -first name on the team sheet, Gran!
Welcome also to Shermilla Weerakoon, who has brought some much needed sunshine to the proceedings as she is now over from Sri Lanka to stay with Sajee for the rest of the season.
A better effort, fellers, especially in the field, but still lots to do in the batting department. We retain second place in the League as only 6 points separate the top 4 teams.
Application and dedication with lots of fighting spirit are the bywords for the next 2 weeks. Top 4 means Lancs Cup action next season. Let's go for it!
