Match Report 21/06/2025
Feroze Brilliance Flips Match on Its Head
It was a sombre and deflated Fives First XI tucking into their lunch on Saturday after the opening 36 overs of their clash with Hutton CC. The batting that had helped them hit a winning 355-7 the previous week, and in doing so making some minor national headlines for being the biggest ECB Prem chase of the week across the country, appeared a distant and all too fleeting memory. One doesn’t wish to criticise too hard or too often but 130-8 on a good wicket at Fives just wasn’t what anyone expected in great batting conditions. Heads were shaken and cheeks puffed out but what made it even more perplexing was there was hardly a reckless shot amongst the dismissals. Lads had tried to bat properly but we were coming second and by a long way.
The one slither of a silver lining was Feroze Khushi was still at the crease, 58 not out, but even he wondered whether anything was possible from this position. With partner Nipo appearing not to be in a mood to block for Feroze the end looked nigh.
Our innings had started badly and grew worse. Both openers nicked off with 6 on the board before a fine fight back led by Viv Hassen backed up by Feroze Khushi. Viv was in sparkling form, driving majestically to the boundary on repeated occasions, shots that had even as gifted a talent as FK purring in admiration. Alas, with the total on 81 Viv had to depart for a fine innings of 48 as he unluckily played on to an Abi Sakande delivery.
Total chaos then proceeded to strike our innings as the revolving door of batsmen arrived and departed back to the pavilion in swift order as seven of our top nine batters failed to reach double figures.
Like many a good number 10 Nipo probably has a higher opinion of his batting ability than most. He’d already told Feroze not to worry as he’d see him to his hundred when he joined him at the wicket although the former Essex star looked far from convinced as Nipo frequently flashed away at thin air outside off stump.
Anyway, fuelled by their chicken pasta, out trooped our batsmen and a Hutton side who’d bowled well and fielded fantastically. One almost sensed their confidence of an easy 20 points on the road and frankly who could blame them. Nevertheless, the early post grub signs were decent. Nipo, true to his word, got stuck in with stout defence. Khushi had read the situation and played properly, taking anything on offer, and trusting Nipo to continue to hold his end up.
The temporary scoreboard ticked up to 170. Lovely another couple of batting points obtained but still way off a total to test the visitors surely. But on it went – and on – and on. Confidence blossomed and Nipo began smashing all comers out the ground if they dared to pitch it in his arc. Feroze was piling the runs up in his low risk but brilliant way. Hutton’s minor annoyance was becoming a worry that turned into an absolute nightmare.
The sense of deflation and concern amongst those of a Hutton persuasion was palpable. Feroze reached his second hundred in succession and Nipo blasted another boundary to achieve his maiden half century for the club. It couldn’t last but when Nipo departed for a wonderful 52 we had 241 and something to bowl at. Last man Kaumal wondered out and he too looked like a man possessed of the spirit of Geoff Boycott blocking and leaving like a fine upstanding Yorkshireman whilst Feroze changed it up to sixth gear. The pair added a final crucial 37 runs before FK holed out with 2 overs left of the maximum for a sensational 141 as Fives posted the most unlikely 278 all out.
Disaster averted. A score to defend. In isolation, arguably less than par, but in the circumstances the momentum swing was so enormous that Hutton looked abjectly demoralised.
Straight out there and into the second innings then and Hutton’s overseas, Tom Murray from Perth, WA, appeared in to be continuing where he left off (an unbeaten 150 at Billericay) the previous week. Hard hitting with a great eye, he instantly made rapid inroads into the total required as along with the more cautious Alex Tredgett they saw their side to 60-0 off 10 before the tea interval.
Amazing what a tuna sandwich and a mini chocolate cake can do as Kaumal achieved the massive wicket of the Aussie (out for 65 from 51 balls) with Ed Fluck taking a juggling boundary catch. The game then flipped on it’s head once again in the space of five balls. Viv Hassen is an interesting bowler. His fast action and delivery speed do lend themselves to the occasional long hop and he’s probably not going to win any bowling economy awards but when he gets it right, he’s capable of being almost unplayable.
The ball Viv produced, to the very talented Cam Tredgett, was stunning. The Hutton keeper batsman in full forward defensive but the ball turned and spat passed the outside edge and clipped the top of off stump. An absolute jaffa. Former Essex under 18-star, Matt Doran, in next and Viv produced lighting twice with a whirling ball at pace that beat the former Belhus man all ends up the ball yorking him and crashing into the stumps. Fives elated and for the first time on top and looking favourites.
If Viv had opened the door, then our overseas star Kaumal was happy to charge straight through it. He removed the Dravid like Alex Tredgett by turning one off the stumps and taking an edge to Aryan behind the stumps before comprehensively bowling young Hussain. Hutton’s mindset was rapidly changing from chasing to win to trying to hang on to avoid a damaging defeat. Skipper Gandhi looked like he was intent on sticking around but eventually was tempted to sprint a sharp single to Bilal who metaphorized in Gary Pratt (think Ricky Ponting fuming!) and brilliantly picked up and threw down the wickets with barely one and bit stumps to aim at.
The charge for the bat first win continued as Kaumal bowled 20 overs unchanged from the Lane End taking his second five wicket haul for the club (20 overs 10 maidens 5-45 – enough said!!).
When the umpires pointed to their watch to commence the final hour Hutton were 9 down with only the Debenham brothers between them and defeat. Ten overs later and the first signs of panic were setting in as the siblings batted without alarm and looked increasingly confident.
Some characters just can’t be denied though. Huz Umer voluntarily stepped up to go in at short leg minus any equipment or frankly any idea how to field in that position. Comedy value was high but the need to win greater. Thankfully the two elements converged. Bilal finding bat then pad of the younger Debenham – the ball looped up kindly and there he was in the perfect place – Huz gleefully taking the winning grab with Hutton bundled (actually spun) out for 170. All ten wickets to our spin attack of Kaumal, Viv, Bilal, Brad and Nipo whilst solitary seamer Ben Waine bowled very well without deserved reward in the wicket column.
Twenty-five big ones for Fives and don’t ask me how but we’ve now played 7 – won 3 – lost 3 and had one rained off. We’ve won all the home games (Fortress Paddock anyone?), won two games we looked hopelessly on the way to defeat in, lost a game we were cruising to victory in, nearly made a pigs ear of a comfortable chase and had two hammerings at Brentwood and Colchester. Basically, if you want unpredictable great cricketing excitement follow the First XI.
Fives sit 5th in the table. It’s been a really good start. We have our weaknesses, and consistency is an issue but already 7 of our batters have made at least a half century this season so the ability is there. What is unquestionable is that most weeks someone steps up and we have a resilient bunch. There is a challenging fortnight ahead with fixtures against Chelmsford and Brentwood coupled with availability issues not helped by two suspensions of key players arising from the Hornchurch game. Anything (even a decent bonus points haul) will be helpful but with this group who knows? Anything is possible.
The Second XI built on their excellent start to the season with another win – this time at Wickford. Bowling first Asim Shamsudin (2-26) and Mustafa Kamal (1-19) got us off to a flyer in the field but Wickford produced a fine batting effort mid innings to reach 250-8 in their 50 overs. Ayann Jasni with a couple of wickets from his 13 overs.
Fives recovered from the early loss of Rohan to produce a masterful run chase. Rob McKay the mainstay with 90 but superb support from Mustafa Kamal with an undefeated 68 and 60 from James McKay. The total was chased down in just 38.4 overs for a comprehensive win. Fives are top of the table 7 points clear of Frenford.
The Third XI aren’t having the season they hoped. Batting first at Harold Wood they would have been delighted to post an impressive 295 all out. A marvellously outstanding 136 from Sandeep Pisharody dominated our innings. Sadly, we were unable to defend that total with Wood chasing it down for the loss of just 5 wickets. Our opening bowler took 4-85 but I’m afraid Play Cricket doesn’t have his name recorded (someone best take a look at that!!!) but one that got away by the looks of that game.
The Fourth XI also fell short against Oakfield Parks. Put into bat Wood made a competitive 241 all out. Umesh Jinka (50), Chamara Monoj Jayawardana (49), Sidharth Barua (47) and Ayaan Usman (36) all in the runs. Fives bowling was led by Zahid Gul (2-38), Rob Allum (2-39) and Ben Britton (3-31).
Probably should have talked this through in more detail with the 4’s on Saturday as they ended up losing by 6 runs despite only being 2 wickets down. Gary Edwards struck a fantastic 120 not out before having to retire. Despite 55 from Rob Allum and a quick fire 28 of 19 balls for M Rashid Hussain we fell agonisingly short of the winning total.
In recent weeks I’ve had some lovely feedback regarding these reports – thank you! I’m afraid family weddings unfortunately drag me away for the next two Saturdays (who gets married in the cricket season on a Saturday???) and consequently it’ll be abridged reporting until normal service resumes. Honestly, it’s nice that people are reading the reports and for people to be enjoying the content is a massive bonus.
See you in a couple of weeks. COYF!!!