Karori Wildcats 179/6, B.Hendry 46 (22)
Collegians No Ballers 74/8 – all out, W.Herbert 4-16 (2.5 overs) (HAT TRICK)
Pre game scouting indicated a potentially weak No Ballers team and when they only had 9 players show up signs weren’t looking to good for them. Despite the very green pitch the Wildcats were keen to bat, and luckily for Dan the Wildcats were asked to bat.
The No Ballers opening bowler was getting the ball to swing aggressively in the first spell however he was unable to tame the beast and let 5 wides go in the first over. Ben Allan after seeing through a couple of overs decided to go after him and immediately had his bails dislodged. Big V made his season debut at No.3 and played his natural style (18 off 12) before having his stumps knocked over. It wasn’t all easy going for the Wildcats as the pitch provided some variable bounce, the outfield was slow despite the recent dry conditions, and good fielder placements by the No Ballers (considering only 9 players). Keaton 35(35) and George 27(27) both had good knocks. George channeled former Wildcat Thomas Westaway and executed a perfect ramp for 4 runs earning applause from the sideline. With the fall of Keaton’s wicket Ben Hendry strode to the crease and was quickly dealing in 2s and 4s with a cameo of back to back 6s which upped the run rate. Ben was caught on the boundary (by a guy that had already dropped two easier opportunities) on 46 off 22 and at half time was looking like a top contender for the game MVP.
A target of 180 on this grass wicket was going to be a very hard task. Nando (0-7) and Keaton (0-11) did the opening honours and at the end of the 6th overs the No Ballers were 0/20 and the required run rate was sky rocketing. Big V provided the first breakthrough and collected 2 wickets in total off his 3 overs. Blair and Dan each picked up one wicket during their 3 overs.
With the wickets falling and a near impossible required run rate the game seemed to be heading towards a comprehensive and uneventful Wildcats win but Will had a different plan.
Entering his third over Will loosened up (again) with a no ball full toss that got dispatched for 4. Having got that one out of the way he set about his work with a couple of dots, 3rd ball the radar was tuned in and the stumps were rattled, 4th ball was a short of a length ball that rose on the new batter popping off the top of the bat to Croft at gully, the tradition hat trick ball field was set for the 5th ball (2 slips, gully, point, fly slip, leg slip, short square leg, silly mid off, silly mid on), the new batter seeing all this open space in front of him went for a dirty swing and Will knocked back his off stump completing the hat trick!!!
#itsawayoflife
Chahoooo!