F&HCC Match Report 02/08/2025
Depleted Fives Stun Wanstead
Necks strained, eyes cast upwards peering into the pale blue skies, people unwittingly rising from their benches. Not a soul in that arid, dusty part of suburbia diverted away from the angle and flight of a worn and battered faded red leather ball. Mouths agog. Trajectory established – landing somewhere on the fairway of the adjacent Wanstead Golf Course.
A split millisecond of collective disbelief then guttural outpourings of joy, those adorned in varieties of purple club kit racing out towards the middle, fielders slumping to the turf, clubmen with years at The Paddock hugging each other like teenagers. Nipo, arms aloft in triumph, sprinting like a young toddler towards the boundary and then engulfed by teammates. A sweat stained, exhausted Ed Fluck unmoved in the visiting players seating placing a deserved cold beer to his lips. Across the dressing rooms and clubhouses of Essex a collective disbelief as mobile phones and You Tube feeds tracked the progress of Fives staggering run chase.
It's all too easy to fall victim to revisionism and hyperbole. There are still those within our playing ranks who have won the Essex Premier League least we forget but regardless of that caveat the First XI victory at Wanstead, YES WANSTEAD!!!!!, must rank right up there as one of the greatest performances in our history.
Wanstead, that colossus of Essex cricket. Unbeaten all season – in every competition. National cup semi finalists and one win at Penzance away from a final at Lords. Into the national rounds of the T20. Fighting tooth and nail with Colchester for the title and packed with talent. Fives, with a patched up side, with the glaring absences of star batter Feroze Kushi and high-quality all-rounder Ben Waine. A side bereft of any form of seam bowling. Lambs to the slaughter.
A pensive Fives outfit had arrived as the pavilion clock struck ten that morning to witness the ground staff applying the last licks of paint to a worn and bone-dry dusty surface. Kaumal the first to give an approving nod as frankly one couldn’t have asked for better given our one-dimensional bowling cohort. As preliminary pleasantries were exchanged with confident looking Wanstead players inadvertent notice was given of the limitations of the Fives spin only bowling attack. Suddenly, the square was a hive of activity. The green top strip next to the prepared deck was being marked with a furious passion. Word had reached the Wanstead skipper and being one to take any advantage, Ellis-Grewal, had ordered a switch of wicket to deny us a favourable surface. It may have been coined eighty years ago but seriously boys ‘Loose lips sink ships’ still rings true sometimes!
A lost toss denied Brad the anticipated option of batting first to claim any double batting points available and out into the field we trooped. Expectation level registering as low to bordering on the hopeless.
Kaumal and Nipo with the new ball and troubling Wanstead’s prolific pair of Usman and Simmons. Both turning the ball despite the lush greenery of the surface. Usman drawn into the odd false shot but a half chance to mid on spurned from the bowling of Kaumal. Any thought of that adversely affecting the moral in the field immediately cast aside as Nipo produced a ‘jaffa’ turning one off middle, away from the right-handed Simmons, and the ball taking an edge into the gloves of the ever reliable Aryan Gupta.
The lid was being firmly maintained on the scoring as we approached the 20 over mark as both opening bowlers performed extremely well but the first signs of the batters becoming more accustomed to conditions led to the introduction of Viv Hassen. The slight change of angle and style reaped instant rewards as Hameed nicked off to a loose shot and two balls later, he was followed by Essex Second XI regular Ali Zeb, who looped a leading edge that was brilliantly taken by Viv diving forward. At this stage Fives were arguably on top with the home side 50-3 and perhaps the first indicator that we had a decent game on our hands.
As playing conditions appeared to become more docile, with less turn and bounce on offer, the dynamics of the innings changed as momentum firmly shifted to Wanstead. Usman and new batsman Odedra slowly looked to dominate, and it was something of a surprise when the aforementioned opener skied to Owen Humphrey at backward point off Nipo and departed for a fine 79.
New man in, Harith Wajid, looked to increase the run rate from the off and bat began to dominate ball without the volume of scoring ever being allowed to get completely out of control. Fives were digging in and in doing so were denying Wanstead the option of a very early declaration. Bilal Kamal took a fine outfield catch to remove Wajid, shortly after he had brought up his half century at just better than a run a ball with Kaumal registering a deserved wicket (206-5). Thereafter, home skipper Joe Ellis-Grewal and Yuvraj Odedra played with a confidence of a side looking at a total of around 300 believing it would be plenty enough to see off a side more used to League One action than an extended run chase against one of the best in the country.
Odedra played beautifully and opened his sizeable shoulders to clear the club house several times as he reached an excellent and chanceless century off the first ball of the sixtieth over. Ellis-Grewal immediately declaring and strode off leaving 5 balls un-bowled that would not have impacted on the 4 extra overs to be carried over to the Fives innings. Minor head scratching between umpires and scorers about the ‘missed’ five deliveries and the potential to have added another ten to fifteen runs, but it wouldn’t matter – would it?
I suspect it’s fair to say Brad is a relaxed type of captain. His message to his side facing 291 to win in 60 overs was simply ‘just go and bat and we’ll see where we are later’. Frankly, it was the perfect approach. The skipper had removed all pressure. Not placed any expectation or demands.
Yeats and Gupta reunited as the opening bats and out into the middle and finding themselves surrounded by close catching fielders and slips. Far from being intimidated by the match situation and opposition we produced a confident start. Anything loose was punished to the boundary and the scoreboard raced along. Thirty was on the board in no time when Ben chased a wide one and could only edge from the toe of the bat with the home skipper grabbing a leaping one-handed catch. The young opener dragged himself off the ground, with 21 to his name, knowing he’d left a heap of runs out there, but a statement had been made. This wasn’t going to be a defensive rearguard to claim a draw. This was Brad-Ball and we were in all and see where we ended up.
Taking up the baton of attack to the opposition was Aryan as Viv in at 3 played himself in. Arguably his best innings of the season, Aryan put away to register boundaries when balls allowed and rotated strike beautifully looking very proactive. Alas, he too was to perish all to quickly, second man out for 33 with the total on 82. Fives were batting beautifully but like a Breast of Chicken with Tarragon Creamed Mayonnaise on Malt Bread during afternoon tea at The Ritz its gorgeous, but you just need more of it.
A wise sage on the boundary reflected that we’d know when Ellis-Grewal was getting concerned as he’d start to post fielders to the boundary. As Viv and new batter, Ed Fluck, took the total past 100, fielders were despatched to the outer reaches. The dawning realisation that Fives were way ahead of the required run rate and in with a sniff if they could bat their overs.
Spin was introduced at both ends but Viv and Ed batted with maturity and control. On the cusp of another half century Viv was trapped leg before to the home skipper for 49. A desperately needed wicket for Wanstead with Fives in a remarkable position of 144-3, almost halfway to the target and the required rate hovering at just 4 an over. The experience and ability of the home side began to suffocate the scoring as Ed was allowed to take 1 and the full might of the home efforts were thrown at young Kabir. Their tactics were rewarded when Kabs tried to break the shackles and was pocketed in the outfield.
The skipper, who had gone into the fixture with a damaged knee, bravely joined the fluent Ed at the crease. Quick singles were not an option but to be fair they rarely are with Brad at the wicket. Against the might of the Wanstead attack Ed was flourishing and batting beautifully. Scoring all around the ground and punishing anything loose whilst Cop held station and took (a slow) single when available. It was classy batting from the pair and Fives again began to believe the impossible was on.
As the recent Oval Test Match proved, it’s the final 70 odd that are always the hardest as the target nears. 223-4 suddenly became 244-8. Brad’s wicket, an edge that caught the keepers glove and ballooned aerially only for Odedra to take an incredible catch, had seen him trudge back for 20 and wickets then tumbled.
As Nipo joined Ed all hope of victory was gone. Please lads, we deserve the maximum batting points on offer at 250 for our valiant efforts. Just get us 6 more. Thankfully, Nipo had read an alternative script. Uninhibited by the tension he was a whirl of attacking intent. Balls flew past the edge only for him to find the middle of his broad bat next up and carve over extra cover for glorious runs. 250 came and went and the churn of runs was rushing Fives towards 290 and Ed towards a deserved maiden century for the club.
The cricketing Gods were not done. With Wanstead visibly panicking in the field Ed sought to add a maximum over the shorter mid-wicket boundary. It was calculated risk but it hadn’t found the middle and lobbed agonisingly into the hands of Usman on the boundary. Wanstead ecstatic. Ed crestfallen, out for 94. A wonderful knock but surely now not enough to secure the win.
Last man to the crease was Kaumal. Artful, clever bowler, lovely guy, terrible bat!!!. Twenty-two need still. Every ball was now an event. Kaumal defending for his life. Nipo swinging for his. The runs kept coming regardless of the switches in bowling. Short stuff was targeted at our Sri Lankan pro and repelled. Leg byes were cheered like a goal. Every run was taken as Nipo trusted his partner to survive and survive he did.
The tension was palpable as the target to win dropped into single figures. Pressure ramped up again with a crazy single and a shy at the stumps that would have found Kaumal halfway down the wicket had it hit.
A flurry of singles and we were one hit away needing six to win. Odedra steaming in over the wicket to the left-handed Nipo. A length ball on leg stump and Nipo’s bat swung across the line whipping the ball high into the air. Silence for a second and then chaos and pandemonium. Who knows where it landed (like Elvis the ball had left the building). Fives players streamed onto the pitch. Supporters and club officials joined the celebrating throng of the boundary edge. Fives as one in joy and yes, disbelief. This patched up side, denied their talismanic star batsman and bowler, with a crocked skipper and a 16 year old stand in had achieved the impossible – a one wicket victory at Wanstead.
Credit to Wanstead. Their first defeat in any format, in any competition this season. To a man they headed for the sanctuary of the dressing rooms, ashen faced but gracious – well all bar one – those who know Premier Division cricket won’t need me to say who – maybe it was the thought of those 5 wasted balls earlier in the day. For Fives it was a stunning performance. All the top order had played with class and a balanced attacking intent missing during the early period of the season as we acclimatised to this level. Ed’s best performance in a Fives shirt with a great innings in the most challenging of circumstances. But the final headlines must be with Nipo. Dropped last week and played Second XI that must have hurt. Immediately, back into the fold he opened the bowling and produced 21 overs of his left arm spin before hitting 36 at number ten. A remarkable innings with some fabulous aggressive hitting culminating in the huge winning maximum over mid-wicket. Just enough time to be carried shoulder high by his teammates before uploading the details to his Instagram account. No one could begrudge him that.
For Fives it leaves us in fifth place in the table and seemingly miles away from trouble. A positive result next week against bottom side Hadleigh and the club can plan for Premier Division cricket again in 2026. One of the best days many of us have had in cricket. Every one of the 11 should be supremely proud – the club salutes you and your efforts.
At The Paddock sadly less positive news from the Second XI in their crucial promotion fixture against Frenford. Despite a fine 77 from James McKay we never recovered from the loss of early wickets. Sahib Sungeen provided support with 34 but our 236 all out looked under par.
Frenford made comfortable work of the run chase having put on a century opening stand. Muhammed Qasim took 3-37 but we ended well beaten with plenty of overs to spare. A lot to do now to challenge for a place in the top two. Five wins required.
The Third XI were forced to hang on for a draw against Old Souths. Visiting Blake Sutheran hammered an unbeaten 116 as Souths hit an imposing 253-6 declared. Fives batted out in defensive fashion concluding on 178-7 with top scores of 40 from Aamir Ali and 36 from TJ Singh.
It wasn’t the Fourth XI’s day either in defeat at West Essex. No doubt on a challenging surface seven of the side failed to register double figures ensuring that despite the efforts of Gary Norris (41), Nikhil Patel (35*), Nick Canacott (27) and Gary Edwards (24) we could only register 165 all out.
A fighting effort with the ball made for an exciting game as wickets tumbled. West Essex opening bat Islam was the difference as he carried his bat to the tune of 62 not out as others fell around him as the home side scrapped home by two wickets. Zahid Gul (3-41) and Gary Edwards (2-26) led the bowling effort supported by all he other bowlers who either took a wicket or maintained excellent economy.
This round of fixtures leaves the First XI on the edge of safety. Probably one more win would be plenty enough. The Two’s have dropped to fourth and sit 13 points adrift of a promotion place. The 3rd XI have dropped to ninth and in danger of relegation as have the Fourth XI who also sit second bottom.
Have a fabulous week. I’m off to watch the stream again just to see Nipo’s winning shot. Andy
You can relive that magical moment by clicking the link below.
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