Clackmannan County Cricket Club

By Graeme Anderson

After the mid week monsoons the cricketers of the counties first eleven were relieved to see that the weather had cleared up in time for Saturdays 1 o’clock start against Holly Cross II.
Losing the toss Clackmannan were asked to bat. The usual opening pair of Graeme Anderson and Geoff Logan headed out to bat and were surprised to find Holly Cross opening the bowling with two slow bowlers. The opening batsmen initially found this strategy difficult to cope with. The cloudy conditions meant that the ball was moving about in the air and the damp artificial surface occasionally sent the ball skidding through. This, added to the damp outfield, made runs hard to come by. Luckily for Clackmannan the extras column was moving along just as quickly as either batsman's total.
Concentration was the key for the batsmen, as they took the score to 40 after 10 overs, and brought up yet another 50 partnership. However with the score on 55 Anderson(16) edged one and was well caught by the keeper standing up. The rest of the Counties top order, however, couldn’t adapt to the conditions as Craig Black (8) and Gordon Oliver (6) both departed without getting into their stride, leaving the team teetering on 78 for 3.
Another partnership was needed to stabilise the innings and with Alan Oliver joining Logan that was exactly what developed. With some excellent running between the wickets, the right left partnership was able to manipulate the field and steal a few runs.
The occasional rain showers meant that the outfield didn’t get a chance to dry out. This was disappointing as both batsmen played some great shots, but which the fielders were able to pull back within the boundaries. On a dry day, on the normally rock hard, well manicured Arns outfield, the fielding side would have had no chance of stopping the ball.
After a partnership of 95, it was Logan who fell first. Having made a brilliant 69 he left his ground to attack the bowler and was stumped. This brought Keith Hefer to the crease with 173 on the board and 4 wickets down. He batted well with Oliver as the innings moved into the 41st over. Oliver continued until the 49th over when he departed in the same fashion as Logan, after making a crucial 52. This brought Tippu Sultan to the crease with only 2 overs left. Three balls later Hefer (27) was bowled, introducing Noor Jhangir to the proceedings. Some “entertaining” running between the wickets from this pair ensued, as they guided the innings to 236 for 6.
As the players were tucking into some sandwiches the heavens opened. After a brief break in the rain, a half hour delay was necessary to allow the artificial pitch to dry out (it was under water) but it wasn’t long until the monsoon weather returned and the match was abandoned with no further play at 6.30 pm.

Match Report
Clackmannan County 1st XI V Holy Cross 2nd XI
Click here to view scorecard
Date 2/8/2008	VenueThe Arns	Result Abandoned	Weather Rain
By Graeme Anderson After the mid week monsoons the cricketers of the counties first eleven were relieved to see that the weather had cleared up in time for Saturdays 1 o’clock start against Holly Cross II. Losing the toss Clackmannan were asked to bat. The usual opening pair of Graeme Anderson and Geoff Logan headed out to bat and were surprised to find Holly Cross opening the bowling with two slow bowlers. The opening batsmen initially found this strategy difficult to cope with. The cloudy conditions meant that the ball was moving about in the air and the damp artificial surface occasionally sent the ball skidding through. This, added to the damp outfield, made runs hard to come by. Luckily for Clackmannan the extras column was moving along just as quickly as either batsman's total. Concentration was the key for the batsmen, as they took the score to 40 after 10 overs, and brought up yet another 50 partnership. However with the score on 55 Anderson(16) edged one and was well caught by the keeper standing up. The rest of the Counties top order, however, couldn’t adapt to the conditions as Craig Black (8) and Gordon Oliver (6) both departed without getting into their stride, leaving the team teetering on 78 for 3. Another partnership was needed to stabilise the innings and with Alan Oliver joining Logan that was exactly what developed. With some excellent running between the wickets, the right left partnership was able to manipulate the field and steal a few runs. The occasional rain showers meant that the outfield didn’t get a chance to dry out. This was disappointing as both batsmen played some great shots, but which the fielders were able to pull back within the boundaries. On a dry day, on the normally rock hard, well manicured Arns outfield, the fielding side would have had no chance of stopping the ball. After a partnership of 95, it was Logan who fell first. Having made a brilliant 69 he left his ground to attack the bowler and was stumped. This brought Keith Hefer to the crease with 173 on the board and 4 wickets down. He batted well with Oliver as the innings moved into the 41st over. Oliver continued until the 49th over when he departed in the same fashion as Logan, after making a crucial 52. This brought Tippu Sultan to the crease with only 2 overs left. Three balls later Hefer (27) was bowled, introducing Noor Jhangir to the proceedings. Some “entertaining” running between the wickets from this pair ensued, as they guided the innings to 236 for 6. As the players were tucking into some sandwiches the heavens opened. After a brief break in the rain, a half hour delay was necessary to allow the artificial pitch to dry out (it was under water) but it wasn’t long until the monsoon weather returned and the match was abandoned with no further play at 6.30 pm.