Banbury - County Game 4

Monday 6 August we set off in the coach to Banbury.

The players and WAGs gathered in front of the hotel as the coach was packed with cricket bags.

The day's match was at the Banbury Twenty Cricket Club where Australia was to play the Chairman's Eleven.

In 1932 twenty men had founded the cricket Club hence the name Banbury Twenty.

For this game the scorers watched the game from the scorers' shed.

The players checked the pitch before the game.

One of the players took the opportunity to dry his washing.

The Australian team for this game posed for a pre-match photograph.

Australian captain, Ian Petherick, lost the toss and the Chairman’s Eleven chose to bat on a flat wicket and quick ground. Although the Australian bowlers bowled tightly it was difficult yo break the opening partnership. Eventually, Robin Court broke through and Alan Reid took a wicket, and an Ian Petherick throw to Wavell McPherson effected a run out. The Chairman's Eleven made 3 for 222 off its allocated 45 overs.

Australia's innings ended at the end of the 42nd over when they were all out for 221, one run short of the Chairman's Eleven total. John Stackpoole (43) and Wavell McPherson (26) opened the batting while Ian Petherick (41) and Alan Reid (24) continued the good work in the top order. A middle-order collapse was followed by a bright 43 from Tim Spear.

We had special visitors at the game when James, Melissa, Zoe and Eliza came to watch Robin play cricket.

The girls entertained the spectators and players from both teams at the game.

Ron and Eliza doing high fives.

When they tired of watching cricket the girls entertained themselves with their colouring and sticker books.

Although the Australian team narrowly lost the match it was a good, tight game - good preparation for the first ODI  against England which was the next match.