Having lost the toss once again OBN took the negative option of putting Banbury into bat, and play for a draw.
After a slow start, the opening pair found sweepers on the off side boundry in just the 4th over. A Sabin was first out with the score on 10in the 5th over. Steve Beck(24) & Lloyd Sabin(32) put on 49 for the 2nd wicket in 16 overs, but the pair were out within 9 balls of each other. Sabin was out first, playing a poor lofted slog but missed and got bowled and Beck was trapped right in front.
Wickets tumbled at regular intervals, and the scoring rate continued at just 2.5 per over. The only other two notable partnerships were between Ed Smith – Richard Brooks (42) and Ed Smith – Olly Murrey (38). Ed Smith was top scorer in the innings with 39 at a run a ball.
This enabled Banbury to post a very modedst total of 185, with 40 coming off the last 4 overs.
ONB got off to a decent start, with runs coming mainly behind square. They lost there 2nd wicket of J Liddy in the 16th over with the score on 48. It was at this point that the away team settled for the draw, needing only 137 from the remaining 34 overs.
It was possibly the most boring and slow game of cricket ever witnessed at White Post Road! Only the vociferous kiwi’s in the crowd provided any entertainment.
The game finished with many players frustrated that a decent game had been ruined by the opositions negative approach.
Banbury 9
OBN 9