More wickets in spades as Ashtead take 20 again

Another batting attack demolished. Another win secured. This was the story as Ashtead claimed a confident and assured 8 wicket victory over Normandy, in Round 5 of the 2021 Surrey Championship Premier Division.

Normandy won the toss and elected to bat first, on a wicket that looked promising for batting. Perhaps a good choice – except for the rain the previous night, which was always going to make a wicket a little spicy to begin with. Conditions later in the game would be beautiful for batting, however.

A good toss to lose then, and Ashtead immediately made the visitors pay for it as Ben Sidwell struck in his first over. A pattern was quickly set – a short partnership would be followed by a longer, more constructive one. Sidwell, and Ashtead’s Sussex star Sean Hunt, were unable to make further inroads and the Normandy innings stabilised.

It would be Wayne White, usually opening the bowling but today coming on at first change, to make the next breakthroughs, finding edges that were snapped up easily by overseas sensation Manoj Sarathchandra. 52-3, and the visitors in a spot of bother.

Another longer partnership would follow, and with the seamers struggling to make further inroads, acting skipper Tom Deighton introduced spin with Sam Homes coming up the hill – and it wouldn’t take long for him to dislodge the bails. White, by then bowling his 9th over of his allowed 10, removed the dangerous Chris Jones for 15. 88-5 and a real rear-guard action required.

Spin would dominate the latter stages of the Normandy innings as the spinning Toms, Homes and Deighton, would twirl away – restricting the scoring and eventually creating chances. Homes would be the first to strike, with a smart LBW, and Deighton followed suit soon after. 123-7 with 10 overs to go.

The last three wickets came in a clutch, with a double strike from Homes to inflict maximum pain nd Deighton claiming the last scalp to finish them off. 153 was always going to be light, but runs on the board count for a lot and early wickets could change the game.

Normandy would need to strike hard and fast to have any chance of victory and they succeeded in taking… 1 wicket. That would be Surrey junior Ragu Aravinthan, gone for 12, but regular opener Wayne White and in-form man Harri Aravinthan (although wicketless with the ball) would steadily accumulate.

A 30 partnership became 50. 50 became 70 and all too soon for the visitors, the little hope they had was snuffed out by careful and confident batting. Harri would be the first to bring up his 50, off 72 balls, and the 100 partnership would soon follow. White then reached his milestone, 50 off 101 balls (this may sound slow, but he performed a vital role in anchoring a steady and secure innings), and all seemed set fair for the two to see the Stags home.

As per usual, however, a late wicket would momentarily raise the tension (Aravinthan this time, caught behind for 60) but this gave Manoj the chance to come to the wicket and do what he does best – hit the ball a long way! A flat six in the next over and Ashtead were victorious, with 8 wickets and 99 balls to spare.

This excellent result keeps Ashtead in third place in the table (and with wins for those above them, the gaps have not changed either), with over a win in hand over fourth and second in their sights. Next week sees the Stags travel to Reigate Priory for the next 50 over fixture. Priory lie 6th in the table, with just 2 wins to their name thus far – although recent form in limited overs cricket tends to favour the hosts. Should be another top-class fixture. Join us then.