Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

Dominic Butcher reporting

Paul Irons And George Hope's superhuman role could be under threat as Peter Kloss scored an unbeaten 80 to take the Wash to an easy 8 wicket victory on Saturday. Playing against a mixed aged 4th team British Airways side, Kloss played a perfect innings, choosing his shots well and hitting some excellent off side boundaries from a pacey young bowling attack. This was Kloss's highest ever score for the Washington, or any other team for that matter. His innings was something of a surprise as Kloss is a bowler, only promoted up the batting order due to a shoulder injury which prevented him bowling. He was expected to see out the first few overs with the new ball, not to go on to play a match-winning innings. However he seized his opportunity with both hands and achieved a personal best in the process.

Kloss was ably supported by Chris Davis, who contributed solid support and a healthy 66 runs, giving a strong reminder of his batting ability. Unfortunately Davies was run out with just 1 run required to win giving a disappointed David Gluckman (0*) the dubious opportunity to witness Kloss perfectly execute another text book drive for the winning run.

The Wash, after being set 173 runs to win, started badly when Tony Harris unluckily miss-hit a ball to mid-off for 15 . Paul Irons, the usual match winner, relishing the possibility that he would have to take up his normal role, began to show discomfort as Kloss hit 4 after 4. Kloss reached his first ever half century and raised his bat to his team-mates with a broad smile.

Peter Kloss, also the Washington skipper, won the toss and decided to field, giving the chance for opening bowlers, Dominic Butcher and Richard Jones to take advantage of the grey skies. It did not take long for a breakthrough when Butcher delivered an in-swinging beauty to dismiss the opponents wicket keeper. Butcher ended with figures of (1-30). Richard Jones who was unlucky in his first spell was rewarded with some excellent bowling to end with 3-28 from 10 overs, remarkably his best figures ever for the Washington. All bowlers performed well with spinner Eric Stoughton taking 2-16, and debutant James Naylor getting his first wicket for 39 runs. Other bowlers included Paul Irons (1-35) and Chris Davis (1-20) who both added to the wickets tally, allowing the Wash to bowl BA all out in this declaration game and set up the opportunity for the win.

Damian Cavenagh took an excellent catch in the covers but lost a finger nail in the process. He had to leave the field for a while and his bravery was applauded, both in holding on to the original catch and in returning to field.

Kloss's performance with the bat shows he is more than capable to score big runs on a more regular basis, and with a possible a weakened Washington side next year Kloss could have a big role in Washington's future batting line up. After the game he was cheered and congratulated by all his team mates for his performance, and the team were rewarded with two huge jugs of beer specially ordered by Kloss at the bar (although there was momentary confusion over exactly what Kloss had asked for... - you had to be there!).

Commenting on the match Kloss said “I think I'm more surprised than anyone. I was beginning to think that I'd never make a 50, and I'm really glad to have finally achieved that milestone. Hopefully I'll be back bowling next week and assume my usual position in the last three in the batting order. I'd also just like to mention Jonesey who turned in his best ever bowling figures for the Wash today. He bowled really well in that second spell and thoroughly deserves it”.

Man of the Match: Peter Kloss

Packing the kit: no notable candidates this time

Washington: Tony Harris (+), Peter Kloss (c), Chris Davis, David Gluckman, Damian Cavenagh, Nigel Bakhai, Paul Irons, Richard Jones, James Naylor, Dominic Butcher, Eric Stoughton