06.04.11 Update courtesy of Daniel Baker
BCL Update (results attached)
I feel that the job of writing match reports should be taken off my hands and given to an independent journalist to ensure the integrity of the reports and that they remain unbiased. With this in mind I have recruited a Chief Match Journalist to take on this role. I’d like to welcome James Oboran III to the BCL team. James has worked for a number of fictional broadsheet newspapers and has 5 make believe years in the industry. So for the first time, James it’s over to you…
The Batting Renaissance Continues
Few, myself included, would have predicted that the start of a season which hailed an increase in the size of stumps used in the BCL would also hail the arrival of a batting renaissance with scores regularly surpassing the heights of last season. The predicted fall in batting averages has not happened and instead players are rallying with some of the most consistent scores we have seen to date. So far this season the match totals are over 100 runs higher on average than last year ( an average of 292.98 per match compared to 189.80 for the 2010 season). Last season after the first 4 matches a total of 608 runs had been scored, this year the players have clocked up 1170 runs for the same number of games.
The Carbis Bay test demonstrates this trend perfectly. We did have a bizarre start with a series of ducks and low scores and then an unauthorised non-player fielding in the deep before taking his turn at the crease (Random Kid 1 in the records) but after this the batting began. Baker edged out a convincing lead of 77 runs and gave his bowlers something to work with. The Steadman’s reply – a colossal 156 to give him a lead. The second highest scoring innings since BCL records began. The match went down to the wire with Baker falling two runs short, playing on to a probing delivery from a determined Steadman. So it was Steadman who came through to win a tight match that lived up to the hype and was played to a high standard, taking a 6 point lead in the Championship.
With Steadman’s impressive 156 scored in a single innings, it seems like a good time to run through the top ten biggest single innings scores we’ve seen in the history of the BCL:
1. 165 – Dan Baker, Marazion, 30th August 2009
2. 156 Adam Strowger, Carbis Bay, 27th March 2011
3. 153 – Dan Baker, Carbis Bay, 14th March 2010
4. 138 – Dan Baker, Marazion, 30th August 2009
5. 135 – Tom Matthews, Marazion, 30th August 2009
6. 119 – Adam Strowger, Carbis Bay, 14th March 2010
7. 114 - Adam Strowger, Sennen, February 2009
8. 111 – Dan Baker, Carbis Bay, 11th October 2009
9. 110* – Adam Strowger, Marazion, 8th November 2009
10. 104 – Adam Strowger, Marazion, 17th April 2009
* not out
In the 18-18 Steadman made history scoring 50 in 18 balls, the first time this has been achieved in the game. He slaughtered his opponent, scoring freely around the ground. Steadman needed 4 from the last delivery to reach the milestone and although Baker retrieved the ball with a diving stop, it had already crossed the boundary, ensuring that an epic 50 run target was set. In reply Baker was dismissed first ball, attempting a slog through mid-off in desperation at the imposing task ahead. The bar has now been raised in the 18-18 format and all players must raise their game accordingly if they are to challenge for the title.
James Oboran III
Chief Match Journalist, BCL
No comments:
Post a Comment