Washington Cricket Club - 40th Anniversary Year

Russell Pendry Reporting

Washington CC achieved a winning draw on Saturday at Arkley, posting a very competitive 180, mainly due to 75 from Sandeep Kuckreja. They then seemed to have got themselves into a wiinning position in the last 5 overs due to 3 wickets a piece from Peter Guthrie and Russell Pendry, but then ultimately the Wash were frustrated by the last Arkley pair who held out for the draw.

On a overcast day in North London not far from the Barnet FC ground Washington took on Arkley in this declaration game of cricket. Making his debut as Washington skipper for the day Sandeep Kuckreja walked out to the middle of the pitch and lost his first toss and the Wash were put into bat by Arkley.

Opening the innings for the Wash was Aff Naseem (22) and Alex Murray (14) who put on a steady first wicket partnership of 41, before the rain came and the players walked off for 30 mins. When the game resumed Murray was out first ball and was then quickly followed by Ash Cruickshank (4) and Brian White (3). The wet conditions having an affect on how the wicket was now playing. Shawn Hill (19) was next in. Aff Naseem was then well caught for 22, picking out the tallest fielder on the pitch and Washington found themselves 4 down for 60 odd runs.

But with Shawn Hill and Sandeep Kuckreja at the crease all was not lost and a lot rested on the shoulders of the Sunday skipper and the Saturday skipper for the day. Hill was looking in good form and quickly raced to 19 with some well timed shots for 4 and wasn't looking to keen to run to many singles, before being caught, the partnership putting on 38 runs and bringing the score up to a more respectable 110 for 5 wickets. Peter Guthrie (17) came to the crease and put on a 54 run partnership with Sandeep Kuckreja (75*), the later of whom played a more controlled innings in hes early stages, probably brought on by the extra responsibility of being captain for the day and the fact that Washington still needed quite a few more runs before thinking about a declaration. However it wasn't long before Kuckreja hit out with several lofty 6's in he's total of 75 not out. He was ably supported by Peter Guthrie who was caught for 17 and Peter Kloss (1*) soon came in before Kuckreja declared and with 180 runs on the board must have felt this was enough runs to defend with the bowling options open to him.

Washington opened the bowling after tea, with Kloss (1-19) and Guthrie (3-22) who both bowled tightly in their opening spells in what was certainly warmer sunnier conditions. Kloss and Gutherie where then replaced by Hill (0-12) and Kuckreja (2-12) who kept up the tight bowling and restricted Arkley from getting on top with the bat, as wickets fell regularly. With the introduction of Pendry (3-30) and Nicholas (0-7) Arkley were left to bat out for the draw with the Washington total of 180 looking now out of reach and Washington finding themselves in the position that a win was well on the cards. Both Kuckreja and Gutherie were introduced at the opposite end to Pendry and further wickets fell with Arkley managing to score no more than two runs an over for the last 10 overs of the game. With three overs left and 1 wicket required the last Arkley batsman did enough to block out the ball with every Washington fielder around the bat.

The result was a reversal of the same game last season when it was left to the last two Washington batsmen to block out the last 3 to 4 overs to earn a draw, when well short of the runs required to win the game. The draw still takes Washingtons unbeaten run against Arkley to 6 wins and 2 draws with Arkleys last win over the Washington going back to May 2004. Although this may be classed as a winning draw for the Wash if such a thing exists it also goes to show that a declaration game of cricket can be exciting if not frustrating and both teams retired for drinks to the Prince of Wales in Barnet Village.

Man of the match: Sandeep Kuckreja, for his 75 not out, 2 wickets, 2 catches and a good captains performance on his debut.

Packing the Kit: Peter Kloss for managing to take a bite out of a wasp, while tucking into hes cheese and pickle sandwich and getting stung in the event and a swollen bottom lip to show for it.