MATCH 3 v KINGSWOOD SCHOOL KANDY

Today's match was played at The Pallakalle International Stadium which is currently under construction in preparation for the ICC Trophy next year. We were the first English side to play on the ground and follow the likes of Sri Lanka U19s, Australia U19s and Pakistan A. The selection for today's and the next game at Hikkaduwa was designed to enable the Selection Committee to see everyone in preparation for out Tour Test Match at Galle on Sunday 11 April.

Extras 49!!

Josh Habergham won the toss and put our opponents in, the 9:30am start enabled our fielders to do their bit before it got too hot. James Wainman and Jonny Hardman opened the bowling and unfortunately both were a little wayward, especially Jonny who strugled to find any consistent line or length. Normal service was resumedwith the introduction of Alex Woodward who immediately applied the brakes and in a seven over spell took 2 fo 12. Mike Wren-Kirkham bowled steadily and made a valuable contribution restricting our oponents to 27 for 1 off his bowling. Rajvir Dutt's leg spin once again gained him two wickets but it was the introduction of James Parsloe  2 for 4 and James Wainman's return bowling fast leg cutters which closed out the Kingswood innings at 142 for 9 off 35 overs. The highlight of this was a fine stumping by Jack Harrison standing up to James Wainman.

Jonny Hardman finds the pitch!

Woody puts the brakes on!

Harrison watches the ball into the gloves!

As you can see the scorebox is not quite ready, but Kate and Alice have everything under control

(including our boys!).

With an early start we turned around immediately and Chris Harrison and Christian Rice enjoyed a 10 over Le Mans start taking us to 76 for 0 at lunch. Kingswood responed after the break with a spin attack and Chris went for 46, quickly followed by Josh Habergham for 8 who snicked one to the keeper. Chris Austin making his debut unfortunately could not handle the spin and fell after three deliveries leaving us on 105 for 3 and looking a little shaky as the rain clouds gathered and heavens threatened. Cometh the hour and cometh James Wainman to slog his way to 28 and GSAL to victory by 7 wickets reaching our target in the 24th over.

"I will get my 1stXI cap, memo to self, concentrate."

All in all a reasonable performance with one or two players haveing to reassess their technique and Andrew Ward remembering to pack his kit! Guess who got the muppet award!