Zed's Diary
Follow our new A Team skipper through the trials and tribulations, heartache and pain, during his first season in charge

ACCRINGTON A (142 all out) v TAVERNERS (212-9): June 14th
What a splendid day to play cricket and at our beloved home ground (A.C.C). The match began with me losing the toss for the fourth consecutive time!

They batted and started off quite soundly losing only one wicket for 41 in the first 10 overs. By the halfway mark Taverners had reached 89-2 and the match started taking an all to familiar face. The only difference being at the beginning of the match I quietly fancied our chances of beating this outfit, even without the services of A Burrows (cold), T Pendergast (needed a day off to get his tash sorted out) and Abbas Akbar (family commitments).

By the time Taverners A had used their allotted 36 overs they had reached an impressive 212-9 (about 40 more than what I wanted). The innings was led, as so often is the case by one of their opening batsmen D Swift (who played a chancy but solid 75) and some late slogging by their wicket keeper (43 not out). The only consolation for me was that for the first time in the league an opposition opener hasn't scored a century! The bowling honours were led by I Hussain, 2-27 in 6 overs and the debutante Paul Young (3-27 in 4 overs).

Our reply began disastrously with Imran Hussain running his opening partner out for one (Paul Young). However one of our new players Ian Johnson took the score past 50 before giving his wicket away. In the brief time that Ian was at the crease he did take the attack to the bowlers for a fine 22. He is a welcome addition to our team which already has a problem with batting bowling and fielding (but other than that we are fine team!!!!). He bolsters our batting and gives our bowling much needed depth.

Imran Hussain, true to his legendary fitness levels needed watering every 4 overs or so in the stifling heat, in between he also managed to run me out calling a silly single for 6, I was not too happy especially since I fancied chasing the score of 212. At this stage I feared that an epic race and competition had began as to who was going to get us out first....Imran Hussain with his calling and running between the wickets or the Taverners bowling attack! Eventually Imran was 6th out for 32 taking the score 89-5. The team were eventually out for 142 and the only thing of note was the welcome return to form of Paul Burrows (21).

In conclusion it was our worst performance of the season,taking into account our opposition. This is a gutted and embarrassed captain signing out.

Don't miss the other installments
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8