Jesus College High Table

Sat  9 July                         Jesus College High Table                    Won by 1 wkt

They 226/6 in 38 overs      (Wilson 58*, Caines 49, Rutter 27, Extras 44, Ledger 2/33, Shailendra 2/39)

We    227/9 in 39 overs      (S.Thomas 72, Azam 52, Lamb 27*, Gore 24, Wilson 4/76, Rattan 2/13)

Two wise men set off in search of Jesus – and came back with a gift for their team-mates.  The combined ages of Charlton Lamb and Michael Blumberg come to 141, but when it mattered, creaking joints and a stately trot between stumps were no stop to a last-ball thrilling win at Cambridge.  So was written in the local Chronicle to record a most exciting game.

It all began innocently enough.  San lost the toss and the Cambridge side took first strike.  After bowling one over Bharat disappeared to change his boots and was replaced by Ali Raja who, unfortunately, completely lost his radar and conceded 19 wides in his four over spell (a dubious club record!).  Meanwhile, Akhi was bowling with zip as did the returning Bharat, but the college pitch was a belter and runs continued to roll off the bats of Caines and Wilson.   Our debutant leg-spinner from India with the wonderful name of Siddhant Jhunjhunwala couldn’t find his English length and went for a lot for his one wicket.  San turned to the experienced Chris Ledger who brought a semblance of control to the proceedings, at one stage taking 2 wickets in an over.  The hosts eventually declared in time for the most glorious tea.

At first it looked all too easy for Kensington as openers Steve Thomas and Usman Azam smashed the ball all over the ground ratcheting up 119 for the first wicket in only 18 overs.  But a fateful run out ended Steve’s bid for a glorious hundred and he had to settle for his 72 in just 56 balls.  Wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter and when 72 year-old Charlton joined San at 162/5 with 11 overs to go the game was finely poised.  It was then that the Jesus skipper decided to use the ‘Hun-in-the-sun’ strategy and tossed his off-breaks straight into the sun now sinking behind the bowler’s arm.  Charlie would have none of this and pulled away complaining bitterly of unfair practice.  Calm was restored but panic ensued as we lost 3 quick wickets in the pursuit.  38 required in 5 overs with 2 wickets left.  Akhi and Charlie now batted sensibly and at the start of the last over 10 were needed – and the heroics began.

Akhi took a single off the first ball but then wanted to run on the next, was sent back by Charlie and was hopelessly run out.  Last man Blumberg strides to the non-striker’s end.  Charlie hits a four, then the two old men scamper (if that’s the word) two 2s.  Last ball and scores level, Charlie facing.  Bowler runs in and Michael has only one intent – to get to the other end – and charges down the wicket like a wounded rhino as the bowler bowls.  Charlie only manages to push the ball towards the bowler, then realising that Michael is almost upon him, gathers his wits and sets off for an impossible run.  The bowler tries to pick up the ball, fumbles and finally throws to Charlie’s end, and misses as the puffing batsman makes his ground to the cheers from the pavilion.  The two Oldies running for a famous victory was a sight to behold;  a thrilling senior moment that won them the Entertainers Cup.