What a week it has been for cricket.
Bairstow secured his place in Test history on Tuesday, Buttler cemented his ODI legacy on Friday and then on Saturday it was Banner's turn to (nearly) write himself into KLCC folklore with a near match-winning performance on his 2nd XI debut.
There was a retro feel to events on the field on Saturday. CJ returned as 1st XI captain, Rich Davis was at the helm for the 2nd XI, both teams lost and the 3rd XI were forced to concede with only 27 players available for the weekend.
But nonetheless, there were performances of note and it is comforting to know that this is just "one of those weeks" as opposed to the usual situation as it has been in the not-too-distant past.
The 1st XI travelled to Flitwick for their Division 2B encounter. Having been invited to bat first, the visitors had the worst of the damp conditions and struggled to a total of 98 all out in 26.1 overs. CJ, who opened the batting, was last man out for 42, in an innings where only 3 other players scored runs. Brazier (18), Milton (15) and Dutta (4) were the players to score runs, while 6 players came away with ducks. Danny Warwick, on 1st XI debut as wicket-keeper, can rightly feel robbed of an opportunity as he claimed 5th highest scorer with a resounding knock of 0 not out.
In reply, Mark Brazier (1-30) struck in the first over to raise hopes of an unlikely win, but it would soon prove to be a false dawn as the home side sauntered to victory in 16.3 for the loss of 3 wickets. Duane Smith (1-14) and CJ (1-26) were the other wicket takers.
Thanks to how bonkers the modern world is, if you have access to a Play Cricket account or the Play Cricket app - and if you are a glutton for punishment - you can watch video clips of all the wickets to fall - it is safe to say, that despite watching it 4 times, I still don't quite understand how Elliott Hutchings was stumped trying to hook a short ball from a seamer with the wicket-keeper stood up to the stumps.
The 2nd XI were involved in a much closer encounter - and in many ways walked away frustrated - as they fell to an 8-run defeat on The Common at the hands of Harpenden 4th XI. Having won the toss and chosen to bowl, for much of the innings it was a calm and controlled performance from Kings who overcame the occasional wobble to put pressure on the batters and restrict their run scoring. A stunning 2nd spell from debutant Banner, ripped out the middle order and left the visitors teetering on the brink of collapse. He finished with 3-29 from his 8 overs. Nick Lincoln also contributed 3-38 in a tight spell, despite bowling the last 7 overs from one end. By the end of 40 overs, Harpenden had posted a total of 170-8, a few more than hoped but a very gettable target.
In reply, it was a slow and steady start as some tight bowling proved difficult to get away. In the run up to drinks, Sifan Naeem (28) and Tom Templeton (18) were combining well for the 3rd wicket to bring the required run rate back under control. However, the steady loss of wickets and deteriorating weather meant that the game seemed lost on 93-7 with just 12 overs remaining. However, Warwick Smith had other ideas adding 25 with Rich Davis (15) and then 39 with Banner (19) to bring the target down to 14 off 2 overs. However, it would prove just out of reach without wickets in hand, the innings ending on 162 from the penultimate ball of the allocation. Smith left unbeaten on 36 - a fantastic effort to bring the team home in what had seemed like a lost cause.
The match summaries are attached and full scorecards can be found on our website and Play Cricket.
A slightly strange weekend lies ahead with fixtures affected by the Kings Langley Carnival on Saturday. We will confirm arrangements for the weekend later in the week - and I will hopefully be back in a week's time bringing news of some much needed wins!
Have a good week,
Rich