The end of season fixtures for Milden CC have provided good moments, but ultimately challenging outcomes against some strong opposition. Finishing our home fixtures with a match vs Stowmarket on 11th August, Milden were on top reducing the opposition to 15-3 through good early seam bowling. However a fourth wicket partnership of 142 laid the platform for the visitors to post a challenging target of 222 from 40 overs. Against good bowling from the buoyant opposition Milden were not ever in the chase, losing wickets regularly and falling well short of the target.
A trip to the outer edges of Suffolk at Mildenhall’s East Anglia Premier League ground was the challenge the following week. A depleted Milden side batted first and fought to post a target to bowl at. Stand-in captain Alex Lomax scored a brilliant innings of 64 taking on and scoring freely against the home side’s quick bowler, David Willis supporting Lomax well in a partnership of 70. Milden posted 111 which was chased by the home side comfortably, but spirit had been shown by Milden in adversity which was noticed and appreciated by the hosts.
No league cricket for Milden the following week on the Bank Holiday weekend, but something a little different: an orange ball, whites not compulsory, matches of 5 overs per side! Taking part in a 6 per side tournament at West Bergholt, Milden caused a shock in a group match beating one of the favourites, which set up a decisive final fixture. Batting first meant Milden didn’t have the advantage of chasing and our opponent reached the required score with a few balls to spare; it was disappointing to lose but a good day out was had by all at our excellent hosts.
To September and the conclusion of our league season. First, a trip to Ipswich CC to play Copdock & OI, a team full of promising young players, several of whom will likely play high level cricket before too long. Fielding first, again Milden took 3 early wickets with Aqeel Sayed bowling excellently … But again a large fourth wicket partnership, this time of 188 runs, propelled the hosts to 246-6 in their 40 overs. Milden looked to bat positively against some excellent quick bowling and at 98-1 with captain Cunningham (44 runs) and Sayed (35 runs) going well the game was balanced, Milden behind the rate needed but with wickets in hand. Unfortunately that partnership was soon broken and pressure told chasing the game; with few contributions from the middle and lower order Milden fell short of the target. Our hosts provided warm hospitality post-match though, a credit to local cricket.
On 8th September it was a relatively short trip to Long Melford to conclude our league season. As was becoming the norm, fielding first Milden took 3 early wickets (Sayed 3-39) leaving Melford struggling at 23-3. However Melford’s number 4 Hoadley had arrived at the crease and made full use of familiar home conditions to dominate his team’s innings, smearing boundaries at will around the ground. Hoadley finished 211 not out, a standard of batting rarely seen at this level, dominating the total of 301-6 where the next highest batter’s score was 21.
Not disheartened on what they knew was a high-scoring ground where Milden themselves had scored 320 just last year, Milden flew out of the traps in reply. Simmons and Sayed brought up the 50 in just 6 overs and put Milden well above the required run rate until the partnership was ended with 111 runs on the board in just the 13th over. Sayed continued to attack, but when he was dismissed for an excellent 66 runs Milden struggled to keep pushing on. Melford’s change bowlers had taken control, and unfortunately a collapse ensued as the reality of chasing the huge target told, Melford winning by a large margin of 153 runs. At the time of writing, it looks likely Milden will finish 2024 in 7th place in the league. AS
A trip to the outer edges of Suffolk at Mildenhall’s East Anglia Premier League ground was the challenge the following week. A depleted Milden side batted first and fought to post a target to bowl at. Stand-in captain Alex Lomax scored a brilliant innings of 64 taking on and scoring freely against the home side’s quick bowler, David Willis supporting Lomax well in a partnership of 70. Milden posted 111 which was chased by the home side comfortably, but spirit had been shown by Milden in adversity which was noticed and appreciated by the hosts.
No league cricket for Milden the following week on the Bank Holiday weekend, but something a little different: an orange ball, whites not compulsory, matches of 5 overs per side! Taking part in a 6 per side tournament at West Bergholt, Milden caused a shock in a group match beating one of the favourites, which set up a decisive final fixture. Batting first meant Milden didn’t have the advantage of chasing and our opponent reached the required score with a few balls to spare; it was disappointing to lose but a good day out was had by all at our excellent hosts.
To September and the conclusion of our league season. First, a trip to Ipswich CC to play Copdock & OI, a team full of promising young players, several of whom will likely play high level cricket before too long. Fielding first, again Milden took 3 early wickets with Aqeel Sayed bowling excellently … But again a large fourth wicket partnership, this time of 188 runs, propelled the hosts to 246-6 in their 40 overs. Milden looked to bat positively against some excellent quick bowling and at 98-1 with captain Cunningham (44 runs) and Sayed (35 runs) going well the game was balanced, Milden behind the rate needed but with wickets in hand. Unfortunately that partnership was soon broken and pressure told chasing the game; with few contributions from the middle and lower order Milden fell short of the target. Our hosts provided warm hospitality post-match though, a credit to local cricket.
On 8th September it was a relatively short trip to Long Melford to conclude our league season. As was becoming the norm, fielding first Milden took 3 early wickets (Sayed 3-39) leaving Melford struggling at 23-3. However Melford’s number 4 Hoadley had arrived at the crease and made full use of familiar home conditions to dominate his team’s innings, smearing boundaries at will around the ground. Hoadley finished 211 not out, a standard of batting rarely seen at this level, dominating the total of 301-6 where the next highest batter’s score was 21.
Not disheartened on what they knew was a high-scoring ground where Milden themselves had scored 320 just last year, Milden flew out of the traps in reply. Simmons and Sayed brought up the 50 in just 6 overs and put Milden well above the required run rate until the partnership was ended with 111 runs on the board in just the 13th over. Sayed continued to attack, but when he was dismissed for an excellent 66 runs Milden struggled to keep pushing on. Melford’s change bowlers had taken control, and unfortunately a collapse ensued as the reality of chasing the huge target told, Melford winning by a large margin of 153 runs. At the time of writing, it looks likely Milden will finish 2024 in 7th place in the league. AS
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