For the first time in the Club’s History Banbury CC have completed the ‘Indoor Cricket Double’ of Banbury and Oxfordshire titles as they were crowned Banbury Champions on Tuesday. In fact, it was a real ‘Clean Sweep’ as Banbury’s A side came in as runners up in the Banbury Competition.
Runners up in the Previous two seasons, Banbury were helped this year by the return of ‘Big Gun’ Craig Haupt to the indoor court. The powerful lefty shuns usual indoor tactics of tip and run and looking to the corners, instead he plays to his strengths, and peppers the back wall. With an average of over 100 in the competition you wouldn’t argue with the big lad either! Craig’s controlled medium pace was also of great benefit to the side.
The sides other big weapon was the young pace duo of Liam Manley and Ed Smith. Quite frankly the pair of them are as mad as a box of frogs, and watching them warm up together is a bit like watching play time at the Zoo. However they bowled with incredible maturity and no little skill to ensure we always chased manageable totals.
Young Batsman Lloyd Sabin equipped himself beautifully at 3 also. A big future, both indoors and out, beckons if he continues to show the same level-headed resolve.
The other two regulars were indoor veterans Ian Hawtin and Jimmy Phillips. Hawtin provided the foil for Craig at the top of the order and was as dependable as ever behind the stumps. Phillips appeared only to get a game because he was captain at times but did bowl the odd over when it look like Banbury wouldn’t have enough to chase and scored a vital 24 not out in what turned out to be the title decider vs Banbury A.
Cameos also from:
Luke Ryan: Two games, caught well
John Best: One game, excellent 24 not out to win match but strength of squad kept him out
Andrew Sabin: Had tennis elbow, couldn’t bat.