24 points for the Stags as spin rules the day

The first longer game of the year. Red ball, white kit. Cricket in a more original form. Traditionally the better format for the Ashtead Stags. And so it proved again, as the hosts completed a comprehensive win of 61 runs against Sunbury in Round 9 of the 2021 Surrey Championship Premier Division.

After a substantial rain delay, which reduced the overs from 120 to 95, Ashtead won the toss, and elected to bat first. A difficult decision, perhaps, given the overhead conditions would be conducive to swing bowling and the pitch would be encouraging for the spinners. However, the wicket would only get harder to bat on as the day continued.

The opening partnership was combining for the first time in 2021, with Damian Shirazi walking out with Michael Sanderson to face the initial barrage. And it would be the visitors who struck first, Sanderson bowled for 1 by the Sunbury captain Kevin Smith.

Shirazi dropped anchor and began slowly grafting a match-winning innings, while his new partner Harri Aravinthan went hard at the bowlers. In the midst of their charge, Smith sadly damaged a hamstring while tyring to reach for a catch. All at Ashtead hope he recovers soon.

The lack of penetration from the fast bowlers saw spin enter the fray, and it would not be long before slow left arm bowler Vishal Manro struck gold. An edge from Harri didn’t quite carry to first slip (and good on the visiting fielder for admitting that), but on the very next ball, Harri punched the ball straight to cover. A well made 40 came to an end.

The expansive overseas star Manoj Sarathchandra would depart first ball, and with Ragu Aravinthan also registering a duck, the Stags were faltering at 62-4. The middle and lower order would need to contribute heavily to ensure a defendable target. And, while there were contributions from Marcus Caprano-Wint (12), Ben Sidwell (11) and Jake Martin (14), it was Shirazi’s 65 that dragged Ashtead to 162 all out. Defendable but still relatively modest, at least as far as our division usually goes.

Sunbury, as expected, came out of the blocks flying – with Sam Burgess continuing his usual style of reckless abandon as he plundered the early overs. Jake Martin struck immediately to remove the other opener, but it was obvious that spin would be the clincher.

The fifth over would be the last before the tea interval – and it would be bowled by leading wicket taker Tom Homes (another left arm threat). The over would go for 2 runs – but also take 2 huge wickets, including the dangerous Burgess for 22. 27-3 at tea and the game very much in the balance.

Ashtead turned the screw after the break, introducing Marcus Caprano-Wint to have left arm spin at both ends. And the pressure paid off, with two outstanding catches from Sanderson and Ragu Aravinthan to reduce the visitors to 40-5.

The fightback came from wicketkeeper Conor Fulton, who showed the way to bat on the surface and took the fight to the bowling attack. Before long, skipper Tom Deighton introduced his spin and this paid dividends as well, snaring an lbw. 70-6. Homes was soon back in the wickets as well, and together the pressure built as runs dried up and hope faded.

Another sharp catch, this time from Ben Sidwell, removed the dangerous Fulton for 39 and with the 9th wicket going a couple of overs later, Smith decided not to risk further injury and did not pick up the bat. A shake of hands and it was all over. 101 all out. 24 points for the Stags.

That victory moves Ashtead up to 5th in the league table at the halfway mark. The next match sees the Stags travel to Banstead with the red ball season now in full swing. The opening limited over game in 2021 was rained out, and the 2019 long format game ended in a draw as Ashtead failed to bowl the opponents out. Let’s see if the Stags can finish the job this time. Join us then.