EMMBROOK & Bearwood 2nd XI captain Brian Swindley says that he wants his side to challenge for the title this season in the Chilterns Cricket League Division 2.
“I know that our strongest team is very strong and I would be disappointed if we could not make a play for the title. My teams will always be playing with this in mind,” said Swindley.
“It’s difficult to predict how the season will go as we do not know the strength of the opposing teams in the division, and results can be driven by player availability.
Brian has been playing for Emmbrook and Bearwood since 2002 and is currently in his second stint as captain of the 2nd XI.
Despite a disappointing result last weekend against Phoenix Old Boys where they were defeated by 45 runs, Swindley was quick to take the positives from a superb bowling and fielding display which saw Emmbrook & Bearwood bowl their opponents all out for 111.
“I told the team that it was one of the best fielding performances that I had been involved with,” continued Swindley.
“The bowlers bowled accurately and asked questions of the batsmen, the fielders took all of their catches, everyone committed to fielding every ball and there was a tremendous positive atmosphere of support and encouragement for each other.”
Paul Hunsdon was ruthless in the Emmbrook and Bearwood bowling attack as he took 7-52 in a brilliant first innings for the hosts.
“Paul is a fantastic bowler who the young players can learn from. He bowls wicket taking balls based on the best practice of trying to hit the top of off stump. It fills me with pride and pleasure whenever one of the team performs well and gets the results that they deserve.
However, it was an underwhelming batting performance which cost Emmbrook the match as they were dismissed for 66 all out.
Joe Pollard (batting)
“Maybe tea came at the wrong time for us,” said Swindley.
“At tea we were progressing nicely and the batsmen were looking set. I’ll discuss concentration with the team, but we need to acknowledge that the ball was swinging a long way and credit must be given to the opposition bowler who kept landing it in dangerous areas.
Emmbrook and Bearwood travel away to Hurley CC as they look to get their season back on track.
“As normal I will work with our first team skipper Alex Cobb to ensure that the 1st XI is as strong as possible, and then we’ll check the balance of our teams to see whether any switches will benefit us both.
“As always I will be encouraging the bowlers to attack the stumps and will set fields to support getting the opposition out as quickly and cheaply as possible.
“Hopefully I will also be fit to bowl and bat properly and that will add some experience at key moments.”
