Rushden and Higham 1st XI (Home)

Having discussed with the team at length the merits of batting first or bowling first, and deciding to go with the team decision, the skipper promptly lost the toss and we were asked to bowl first anyway on a sweltering day at Denton road.

Openers Jay Parmar and T Knibbs started well, but without reward as the Rushden openers made a steady start.

The introduction of Will Knibbs, who had this week given up the new ball (begrudgingly - he still had to field mid off so he could see it every ball) saw the fall of two quick wickets. Cam Blake kept things tight at the other end, removing one of the openers and bowling a very mature spell at perhaps the leagues leading talent, Chanaka Ruwansiri. Cam finished with 1-35 from his 10 overs.

Ruwanisiri remained at the crease however, and he batted well for his 100 off 90 balls before he was removed by Knibbs (W).

Jay and Karan Parmar picked up a wicket each but Rushden finished 260-6 from their 50 overs thanks also to 55 from number 5 Shiv Patel.

In reply, we never really got going, and thanks to some good bowling couple with large amounts of poor strokeplay, we found ourselves 36-7 after 1 ball of the 9th over of our reply.

When Will Knibbs joined Matt Mills at the crease, things were looking bleak. But they both batted with great temperament and showed a lot of pride as they built a 103 run partnership before Matt was dismissed for 60. His maiden premier league 50 in which he showed real determination as he dominated short pitched bowling from Rushden opener Gaul having been hit on the helmet early on.

After a brief partnership with Blake, Knibbs was next to fall for 55. An innings which included several trademark 'bunts' along with an all run 4 which he has probably still not recovered from. Also his maiden premier league 50.

Blake continued to take it to the Rushden bowlers before he was eventually last man out for 20.

Having been 36-7 we managed to get up to 176 all out and two batting bonus points which could be very important at the end of the year.

Next week we are away at Oundle, and Harry Dube will be leading out the side in skipper Knibbs' absence.