Cookhill aim to bounce back from first setback - The Redditch Standard

Cookhill aim to bounce back from first setback

Redditch Editorial 7th Aug, 2020   0

COOKHILL were beaten for the first time in three Worcestershire League Plate Group B matches as they slipped to a 35-run defeat at Alvechurch & Hopwood 2nds on Saturday.

Cookhill now face a key game this Saturday at home to leaders Himbleton 2nds who have won all three games so far.

In a turn up for the books, Cookhill won the toss and asked their hosts to bat to see how the team from Division Eight would perform against Division Ten’s Cookhill.

Leigh (3-26) struck first by trapping Gilmour in front for 1 despite the batsman’s suggestions he got some bat on it.




Hirst then removed Evans cheaply, unable to make his ground after being turned back by Lavender for a risky single.

J Rollins looked aggressive in scoring two powerful boundaries before being cleaned bowled by Leigh thanks to a peach of a ball.


Bashir (8 overs for 14) kept it tight by bowling six maidens in his first spell but the double left-handed pair of Lavender and Rollins started to build a partnership with Ishtiaq (8-44-2) and Phillips (5-17) now in the attack.

Lavender fell first to Ishtiaq for 13 thanks to another beauty of a ball but M Rollins kept the attack up by punishing anything slightly loose on his way to 26 before again succumbing to another Ishtiaq special.

Rachman took on the attacking mantle along with Cookhill old-boy and local journeyman cricketer Kite.

It was the former who passed the 50 mark with a well made 57 before being spectacularly caught one-handed by the nonchalant Perry off the bowling of Hirst (7-43-2).

Kite was unfortunate to not reach the same milestone as Rachman – falling three short of a well deserved 50 by being caught by Ishtiaq of Leigh.

Pearsall (2-13-2) was introduced into the attack and took the last two wickets of the innings to leave Alvechurch all out in the 38th over for 204.

This was a realistic chase but one which reflected the Cookhill performance which was not quite up to the expected standard with the ball.

Tea was taken alfresco in the car park before Phillips and new partner Mills went in to start the Cookhill reply.

Mills was the first to fall for 14 caught behind by Rachman as he started to look up the scoring rate.

Griffiths, who had pulled up lame, was replaced in the number 3 spot by Ishtiaq who slowly moved through the gears, punishing any loose balls in putting on more than 40 for the second wicket stand.

However, it was Kite who would make the breakthrough, having Ishtiaq adjudged LBW for a well-made 31.

Hirst was next in with the required run rate nearing ten runs an over so a careful balancing act would have to be taken between runs and risk.

However, one risk too many was taken and it was the unfortunate 16-year-old Phillips who paid the price in being run out for 30.

Horton continued to try and maintain the difficult run rate but Hirst was next to go for 31 – not quite getting the ball over the infield.

Alvechurch showed their depth and the reason why they are two divisions higher as their bowling continued to be tight, offering little off the bat or in extras.

Cookhill batsmen continued to maintain the run rate but it proved to be a task too much in the end as they fell short on 169-8 off their 40 overs.

On another day and with a slightly better performance in the field, the result could have been different.

Cookhill managed to pick up six points in their first defeat of the season and showed the gap between Division 10 and 8 is not too great.

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