Our Cricketer Cup campaign ended at the first hurdle away from home, going down to Malvern, the side who beat us the 2008 final, in a rain-affected tie. For the second year running, we had the bad luck to be drawn against one of the favourites in the early stages. After a three-hour hike across the Midlands, Abeed Janmohamed, appointed captain after Eds Copleston was deported to the USA, lost the toss and for the first hour and a half we struggled, with Mark Hardinges’ county experience to the fore as his 60 steered Malvern to 102 for 3.
The innings was then turned on its head by 49-year-old Graham Webb who took 5 for 25 in his 10 overs, showing what a class act he remains. With Seren Waters (2 for 30) chipping in with his legspin, the value of quality spin was again underlined. Malvern struggled to 160, a very gettable score.
As the day went on the conditions grew more overcast, confirming what a good toss it was to win. To their credit, Malvern’s bowlers exploited increasing swing and Hardinges found a nagging line just back of a length.
We were almost immediately in trouble as we lost Matt Crump and Seren Waters, bowled off his thigh pad, to slide to 3 for 2. We were always struggling – Will Howard, who had kept excellently and pulled off three stumpings, was stupidly run-out for 12, Alan Cope made 9 and then Janmohamed again failed on the big occasion with 0.By this time it was clear the forecast rain was going to hit, and despite the tumbling wickets we remained in the hunt with Tom Crump (17*) steadying the innings. But at 5pm with us on 66 for 6 in the 27th over the umpires took the players off, and by 6.15pm it was clear we weren’t going to get back on by the 6.30 cut-off.
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