3rd XI Match Report - (H) vs Old Basing 2nd XI - 09/05/26

Summary:
OGCC 3rd XI - 207/8 (45 Overs)
Old Basing 2nd XI - 201/9 (45 Overs)

OGCC 3rd XI win by 6 Runs

We are so back - match reports are making a return for 2026. Happy reading all.

The return of the league cricket season on May bank holiday weekend was met with rain that curtailed a closely fought game with Sherfield, meaning that the 3s looked to officially kick start their season with a home game vs Old Basing 2s. The new season sees a new division for the 3rd XI, entering the lofty heights of Division 4(C) for the first time, seeing us place only one division below our 2nd XI, so we'd likely be facing some of their recent opposition as we make the step up. Better opposition, more 1st XI's to face, 5 extra overs each side (now 45 overs for some reason), a 30-yard circle and fielding restrictions. Certainly some changes to get used to, but the aim was still the same - go out there as a team, back each other, and walk off the field with a smile on your face knowing you've given it your best.

As for the team, returning to the lineup was the skipper, who had missed the 'half-game' vs Sherfield due to his sisters wedding (where somehow it didn't rain), in addition to some familiar faces, H Schooling, J Hampson, R Lane, and S Merriman - a team sheet that would not have looked out of place in the 2021 2s side under Sean's stewardship.

On what was a sunny day at Long Sutton, we were up against an Old Basing 2s side with a few familiar faces of their own, from various Sunday & Midweek sides we'd previously faced. Their 3s pushed us close last season and we knew that this would be a tight affair. Maintaining a positive trend from last season, Safi won the toss and elected to bat first.

1st Innings

As 'Double-H' (unfortunately not Triple-H) H & Hammy were walking out to bat under glorious sunshine at Long Sutton, the oppo had been warming up, raring to go. Everyone was in position, the bowler at the top of his mark and an aggressive field set — then a pause, were the oppo building tension, making the batters wait? Alas no, the oppo skipper (WK) had forgotten the match ball, thus promptly ran back inside to fetch it. Old Basing were also only starting with 10 players as one of their players were delayed coming from work on the Saturday morning - maybe they were delaying to allow him to arrive? We finally got underway, but after 3 balls, there was another delay - the oppo skipper (yes the wicketkeeper), had left his keeping gloves in the changing room, so had fielded the first 3 balls of the innings with just his inners on. Mid over, the oppo skipper ran back into the changing rooms to retrieve said gloves. Even for village cricket standards, this was seriously village.

The start of the game was in fact even more remarkable - on just the second delivery of the game (whilst the WK didn't have his gloves), H left a ball outside the off stump - the ball jagged back and hit something and flew away to third man for 4. When Dave (who was umpiring), signalled 4 byes, H's teammates were confused - what had happened? The ball had in fact hit the outside of off stump, deflected well wide of the keeper and gone for 4, somehow not dislodging the bails in the process. The last time anyone had seen that was Ben Stokes leaving a ball to Cam Green in the 2021/22 Ashes - right arm seamer to a left hander - close enough. The clock ticked 14 minutes past the hour before the first over was complete - a truly bonkers start to our season.

Normal service resumed in the second over, as Hammy faced up for the first time this season, and promptly sent his 3rd ball over long on for a glorious 6. Trademark Hammy. His teammates were purring at the thought of seeing more of that for the rest of the afternoon. Unfortunately, the fun ended just as quickly, as with the first ball of the 4th over, Hammy (6) was adjudged to be out LBW (10/1 - 3.1 overs). From the other end, A Stronach was bowling beautifully, and was already extracting both variable bounce and sideways movement from the deck, making scoring incredibly difficult.

Lizo joined H out in the middle, as the Schooling duo looked to see off the useful opening bowlers. H wore a few on the gloves as the pitch continued to play its tricks, with both batters finding the odd single to rotate the strike. It took until the 8th over for the shackles to be broken, as H took the aerial route and launched opening bowler G Wadhawan over the top for a one bounce 4 - just two balls later, H went one better and connected clean to send the ball flying into the hedge, akin to Hammy's shot earlier, all the way for 6 - cue a 5 minute delay to search for the ball. Some good running between the pair continued to keep the scoreboard moving before Lizo got his first boundary with a lovely shot through the offside.

A Stronach however was still bowling an immaculate opening spell, and reeled off back to back maidens as runs were only really coming from one end - Old Basing's ground fielding in the ring was excellent through the early stages, letting very little through. A change of bowling started to build pressure from both ends, which finally told in the 14th over, as a square drive from Lizo (10) was expertly caught by the man at point (43/2 - 13.4 overs). Greg strode to the middle, promoted up the order having batted superbly during pre-season. The first of two drinks breaks were taken at 15 overs, with the score at 44/2, a challenging start for the hosts.

Scoring still proved to be tough, and with some accurate bowling, it was only the very rare bad ball that led to scoring opportunities. H found one of those, and hit his second 6 of the day, with an equally gorgeous straight drive that flew off the bat and into the nettles by the car park end, leading to (another) delay to look for the ball. A Stronach finally finished his wonderful opening spell, with figures of 9-4-7-0 - he had the ball on a string and utilised the conditions to his advantage, somehow without taking a wicket.

With the change bowlers now in full effect, scoring picked up a touch, as H carved a pair of boundaries either side of the wicket, before Greg got into the act with a fine tickle for 4 more. Just as it looked like we were building a good partnership, another wicket fell. H looked to repeat his glorious lofted straight drives in the 19th over, but didn't quite middle it - the oppo fielder, sprinting around from a wide long off, took a stunning catch diving to his left, much to the amazement of H (30) and his teammates (67/3 - 18.4 overs).

The skipper was in next, as another rebuild was due - Safi was quickly off the mark, before finding his first boundary with a trademark (panic) sweep, as (very floaty) spin entered the game for the first time. Greg followed that up with a wonderful, 'in-to-out' shot over extra cover that raced to the boundary. Unfortunately Greg (9) was dismissed the very next ball, also adjudged LBW, much to his dismay (79/4 - 21.2 overs). Dave and Safi had batted plenty together last season, and knew that batting the full 45 overs would be critical to giving the 3s any chance in this game.

The next few overs saw a few singles and a couple of 2s, as both Safi and Dave played and missed on multiple occasions as the bowlers continued to extract lateral & up and down movement - Safi played forward to one that jumped and flew past his helmet - a wry smile from CT at square leg showed that everyone knew the pitch was still very much in favour of the bowlers - runs on the board would be crucial.

Dave was finally presented with a bad ball which he duly dispatched over midwicket for 6. A trademark flick of his pads for 4 over square leg saw Dave find another boundary in the following over. Both batters struggled to find singles to add to the odd boundary, which kept the run rate in check. After Safi played out another maiden, Dave played a lovely cut shot down the hill for 4, before finding another boundary to take the 3s to 109/4 at the second drinks break (30 overs).

A big finish was required, with sights set on getting as close to 200 as possible, however the team knew that would be a tall ask. As the batters looked to kick on post drinks, the bowlers continued to keep it tight as 14 deliveries yielded only 3 runs before Dave (21) was bowled by a swinging yorker that crashed into middle stump (112/5 - 32.3 overs). Josh Poole joined the skipper in the middle and was off the mark immediately with a single. Safi finally found his second boundary, swatting a short ball to the midwicket fence.

At this stage, the 3s had to kick on and take some risks to get to any respectable score. Some really positive running from Josh put the skipper through his paces but helped up the run rate, as fatigue just started to show in the field from the oppo. Safi flicked his third boundary away to square leg, before more hard running caused some misfields as the total continued to grow. Josh then dispatched a full toss over long on for 6 as the 3s started to motor with 9 overs to go - Josh seemed to be immediately at ease when he came to the middle, and it started to show. Safi (26) finally fell playing all round a straight one (137/6 - 36.2 overs), before Laney got off the mark first ball with a cracking cut shot for 4.

More good running kept the scoreboard ticking as the oppo chopped and changed the bowlers - however there was no stopping Josh, who was a man on a mission and was seemingly batting on a different strip to everyone else. Rotating strike with ease and punishing anything too straight with his signature flick off his pads - he did this 3 balls in a row to find 3 consecutive boundaries in the 39th over, as some of the oppo started to slump in the field.

A couple of deliveries to Laney showed that demons remained in the deck - firstly one that jumped and hit him in the grill, before Laney (11) was bowled by one that barely — and it was barely — got off the floor (162/7 - 39.4 overs). Ash replaced Laney in the middle, and did his job by getting Josh back on strike quickly, who duly found another boundary, this time through the offside. Josh's timing was impeccable, not only with each individual shot but also within the context of the innings, and getting us up to an increasingly decent score, all things considered. Another pair of boundaries followed in the 42nd over, as Joshy was roared on by his teammates. Ash (6) was incredibly unselfish in his running, taking risks to get Josh back on strike on a regular basis - he was eventually run out coming back for two (189/8 - 43.1 overs), but did the perfect job for the team.

CT (6*) got off the mark first ball to get back on strike, to allow Josh to hit consecutive boundaries to reach his 50 - rapturous applause from his teammates greeted this milestone, with Josh barely acknowledging them, à la Ben Stokes, 'this job ain't done' mentality. Some more good running between the pair in the final couple of overs saw more misfields, allowing the 3s to close on 207/8 (45 overs), with a magnificent innings from Josh (59* off 40 balls, 8x 4s & 1x 6s) that lifted his team beyond 200 and gave us a fighting chance in this game. From being well behind in the game, the body language at the halfway point was telling - the 3s buoyed by an excellent last 10 overs, and the oppo questioning what had just happened.

2nd Innings

Some wonderful teas (thank you Sean and Lily!) were devoured, as the 3s readied for the second innings. It was Sean himself that took the new ball, a slight change in plans with Josh (understandably) needing a breather following his heroic effort with the bat. Seany started nicely, finding a good amount of shape down the slope, and finding some of that up and down movement from the deck. CT shared the new ball, as the team knew we had to keep it tight early doors and take the game deep, to then enable scoreboard pressure to take effect. With plenty still on offer for the bowlers, both Sean and CT bowled some jaffas early doors, with CT quickly getting his reward, bowling one of the openers with one that kept a touch low (13/1 - 3.4 overs).

It was clear that the other opening bat was more than handy, as whilst patient, played a few glorious on drives and flicks over midwicket that raced to the boundary. Some good ground fielding in the ring from Hammy, H, Safi & Ash kept the scoreboard in check, but that opener had settled in and was starting to look comfortable. Sean finished up a solid opening spell of 5 overs, with Joshy coming on to replace him - clearly a touch stiff from his batting, Josh fired down a few wides to start his spell, before finishing his first over with two absolutely seeds that took off from the deck and narrowly missed the outside edge. CT had a 6th over of his own and was also unlucky to not add to his wicket tally, beating the outside edge of the no.3 a couple of times too.

With Josh into his rhythm, Ash came on from the horse-field end, and was immediately on the money, forcing the batter to play at every ball with that nagging line and length. At drinks (15 overs), Old Basing were 61/1 and in a good position in the run chase, with the 3s needing wickets quickly. Ash was agonisingly close to breaking the partnership straight after drinks, with a ball that jagged back through the gate and somehow missed everything. Narrowly missing the batter's pad, leg stump and Greg's gloves, the ball flew away for 4 byes, as the 'double-teapot' made its first appearance of the season in the field.

Josh and Ash continued to bowl superbly in tandem, as it became clear that we could build pressure by trying to keep the no.3 on strike who was struggling to get the scoreboard moving, whilst the opener Selwyn was looking incredibly assured. A rare loose delivery from Josh was hooked away into the horse-field by the opener, but it was followed up by another pair of seeds that could have easily found the edge. Josh was due to only bowl 4/5 overs but his spell was so good, it continued to earn additional overs. Josh's 7 overs had gone for only 27, but without reward - on another day, he'd have had 3 or 4 wickets.

By the time Laney came on, the batting partnership had risen beyond 100, and the opener Selwyn to 50, as the 3s were desperate for a breakthrough, as it looked as if the game was slipping away from us. The batters sensed the moment and started to rotate the strike more, as the pitch had settled down for the first time in the game, putting the 3s skipper under pressure, as Safi, with support from H & Lizo, continued to tinker with the field. A rare expensive over from Ash in the 28th over saw the score tick to 121/1, with the oppo requiring just 87 from the final 17 overs to win the game.

Oh how quickly a game can change. After a superb bit of ground fielding (admittedly I can't remember who by) turned a certain 2 into just a single, Laney trapped opener Selwyn plumb in front for a brilliant 76, as the 3s finally got the prized breakthrough (126/2 - 28.4 overs). The no.4 bat had come down from the oppo's 1st XI, and had been muttering to himself during the end of their fielding innings - we knew this would be an equally important wicket. Thankfully for us, Ash was on the money straight away, and bowled the no.4 after a wild slog to cow corner (127/3 - 29.3 overs), as Ash brought to an end his superb spell with figures of 9-1-35-1.

Two quick wickets became three, as Laney got his second, as the no.5 bat spooned the ball into the offside, and Hammy moved swiftly around to his right to take a comfortable catch (128/4 - 30.5 overs). The 3s were up and about, with plenty of noise and encouragement for the bowlers - we were absolutely back in this game. Sean came back on replacing Ash, and again was immediately on the money, keeping that pressure on - Dave made a couple of super stops at short cover too. We were up and about.

Sometimes the cricket gods are for you, sometimes they are against you. Laney was incredibly unlucky with his dismissal earlier in the day, but got some luck in return to take our 5th wicket. A powerful drive to short cover was stopped by Dave's size 13 right boot, deflecting the ball into Laney's hands in his follow through. Laney, without hesitation, side flicked the ball into the stumps to run out the no.3 who had started to run, breaking his stubborn resistance (132/5 - 32.4 overs). Dave assist for the Laney run out, a brilliant bit of cricket that helped bring two new batters to the crease. When things like that happen, you just think it might be your day.

We found our 6th wicket in the following over - Seany had it on a string and found the edge of the no.7 bat, however the ball agonisingly popped out of Greg's gloves. Whilst frustrated with the drop, the team quickly rallied around bowler and keeper, and just 3 balls later, the duo combined to get their man. A good length delivery popped up and hit the top edge, and Greg calmly ran around to take the catch - any youngsters reading, that is how you respond. We're all human, we all make mistakes - the quicker you can park the previous ball and focus on the next, the more ready you'll be to take that next opportunity, and that's exactly what Greg did - a much deserved wicket for Sean too might I add. The 3s had flipped the game on its head by taking 5 wickets in 6 overs, leaving the oppo 137/6 from 34 overs, requiring just under 6.5 runs per over to win the game, but with only 4 wickets in hand. A couple of tight overs followed from Laney and Sean, who could be forgiven for thinking we were back in 2021.

The 37th over saw the oppo start to take more risks, as the run rate continued to climb - these risks started to pay off with the odd ball falling short of the fielders in the deep or bouncing just wide of them to head to the boundary. Sean finished his excellent spell (9-2-34-1) and was replaced by CT from the horse field end. Laney continued to bowl well, however the no.8 batter was targeting cow corner, and despite multiple boundary riders on the legside, he still managed to find the gaps and the fence, as the game see-sawed back and forth with every ball. H asked the batter to find another shot from his textbook after hitting the same shot 5 times in a row - fair play to the bat, he delivered with a perfect lap-sweep behind square for 4 and then a drive through extra cover for another boundary.

At 169/6 with 5 overs to go, Old Basing required 39 off the final 5 overs, as the game was right in the balance. A superb final over from Laney, backed up by some more excellent ground fielding from all round saw the end of his spell (9-0-40-2), and only 4 more runs conceded as the pendulum swung back in our favour. That swing continued as CT bowled a low full toss that the no.8 bat thought he'd flicked away over square leg for 4 - he however did not account for Laney leaping like a salmon and plucking an absolute ripper out of the air, timing his jump to perfection (173/7 - 41.1 overs). The 3s roared in delight, but knew there was still some work to be done.

Josh returned to bowl his final two overs from the Tennis Court end, and picked up his deserved wicket with his first ball, taking the glove of the no.6 bat, and Greg safely pouched behind the sticks (177/8 - 42.1 overs). The game was not done however, as 'Gus' (A Stronach, the oppo's opening bowler), strode out and pumped two of his first three balls for 4 over mid off and extra cover, batting with more poise than most of his teammates. The second boundary looked to be going straight to Laney at long on, on the half-volley, but somehow lifted off the outfield and flew way over his head. Nothing Laney could do, and with both boundaries vociferously cheered on by his teammates, you wondered what might happen in this game next.

With 22 needed off the final two overs, you'd think that the 3s were still in pole position - however the small straight boundaries at Long Sutton will make any skipper/bowler nervous when defending a score. CT stepped up and bowled a magnificent 44th over, going for just 3 runs and taking the 9th wicket, finding the edge of the oppo skipper, finishing his spell with figures of 9-1-36-3, and leaving Old Basing 189/9.

1 over, 19 required, A Stronach on strike, and Joshy with the ball in hand. Dot. Six. Four. Two magnificent strikes down the ground from Stronach, with the ball flying over and wide of long off saw increasingly nervous faces in the field and a louder and louder Old Basing support. 9 required off 3 balls. Dot. Then a firm strike down to long on, to Laney who was in the thick of the action with the ball and in the field from the 25th over onwards - with flashbacks to a few mins prior when the ball somehow jumped over Laney at long on, GBR (Great Barrier Reece) got his body behind the ball and not only saved the boundary, but also prevented two, leaving the no.11 on strike for the final delivery with 8 required. Just a single off the final ball and the 3s had done it.

Wrap Up:

A sensational 'come from behind' victory that showed this team has some serious resilience, with bat, ball and in the field. We stayed calm in crucial moments, and capitalised when opportunities presented themselves - our patience and persistence was rewarded in the 2nd innings, even after an excellent second wicket partnership from the oppo. A match turning spell of 5 wickets in 6 overs for just 10 runs swung the game back in our favour and we held on in a thriller.

POTM: Josh Poole - 59* off 40 balls (8x 4s & 1x 6s), and bowling figures of 9-0-48-1 - a simply magnificent effort from Joshy, starring with an incredible knock that got us to a competitive total and followed it up with an equally impressive spell with the ball (that deserved more than 1 wicket!).

It is incredibly satisfying to come out on top in a close game but Saturday proves that we will have to fight for every point this year. It's a step up in competition, but if we demonstrate that togetherness, attitude and application across our season, we give ourselves every chance of being very competitive in this league. To quote Lizo, 'the last 10 overs are exactly what league cricket is all about'.

Great start to the season - this week we travel to Alton 3s, who will prove to be a stern test having been in Division 3 (with our 2s) in 2025. Bring it on.