Dec 09 - President’s XI Defeat Lords & Commons XI – Cricket Match Report
It was a rare sight with cricket being played in December in Gibraltar. However, despite the cool and blustery easterly wind whipping through the stadium, the pre-Christmas match between the Gibraltar Cricket President’s XI and our visiting guests, the House of Lords and Commons XI took place on Saturday.
With the visitors missing a couple of key players, delayed by Air Traffic Control issues in the UK, the President’s XI captain asked the guests to bat first in the 40 over a side contest.
Leading the attack for the President’s XI was Andy Lee of William Hill and he probed away in the opening overs causing opening batsman Crispin Blunt a few problems. Meanwhile, at the other end, a slightly shaky start from Gibraltar Cricket’s Ross Brooks gave Alex Jackman the opportunity to move quickly in to double figures.
Whilst opener Crispin continued to blunt the attack without causing scorer Eddie Wilson to use too much lead from his pencil, Jackman was the first wicket to fall following a smart piece of glovework from Colyer as he over balanced from a Brooks delivery. Lee (2-17) was soon to join him in the wickets column as he removed Blunt followed quickly by Nigel Adams.
Mark Bacarese’s introduction to the attack also saw the wicket of Graham Jones shortly before Mark Lancaster was run out in an incident that may well have provided some interest to the third umpire if they had had access to the footage being recorded by the GBC cameras present in the stand. The Lords & Commons XI’s innings was not looking too healthy on 53-6.
While Ed Jones remained at the crease and whilst the ball followed Brooks around the outfield the Lords & Commons XI always had a chance and Jones batted well to move in to the 40 with a few well-timed shots to the boundary in partnership with Graham Stuart (26).
Bacarese’s return to the attack removed Ed Jones one run short of his 50 and at the other end Lizzie Ferrary who was in the midst of a fine six over spell was eventually rewarded for her nagging accuracy by cleaning up Zach Lancaster to finish with figures of 1-26.
Their were also wickets for 14 year old James Fitzgerald and Stuart Cornelio as the Lords and Commons XI’s innings finished on 174-9 off their 40 overs before the sides retired for a lengthy and enjoyable tea break.
Ian Farrell and Vickram Khatwani opened the innings for the President’s XI and it was Khatwani who played the dominant role hitting four boundaries in the opening 5 overs to move to 18 before a mix up and a smart piece of fielding lead to him being run out for 18.
Richard Colyer joined Farrell at the crease and both batsmen kept the scoring moving as they put on a half century stand together before Richard Graham picked up the wicket of opener Farrell for 37 with a return catch.
Colyer followed shortly after following another good piece of fielding saw him run out for 23 which bought together the Academy Head Coach Mark Bacarese and Academy players James Fitzgerald.
Ed Jones meanwhile was bowling a fiery spell and Fitzgerald showed great courage in keeping him out and giving his senior partner and coach the strike. It wasn’t long though till Jones broke through Fitzgerald’s defences but Bacarese continued to look at ease at the crease.
There were cameos from Lee (10) and Cornelio (9) before President Christian Rocca (who had spent much of the match quite rightly berating the fielding performance of his senior employee) came to the crease to help see his side home.
It was Mark Bacarese who looked to finish the game though and, shortly after hoisting the ball over the top of the stadium roof for a maximum, he went big again to take the President’s XI to victory in a 4 wicket win.
Both sides and guests were treated to an evening reception at City Hall as guests of the Mayor and the Minister for Sport. There were kind words and strong support from Mark Lancaster MP, captain of the visiting side and words of support and encouragement for the future of cricket in Gibraltar from the hosts of the reception.
Gibraltar Cricket are delighted to have been able to welcome our guests from the House of Lords and Commons and we look forward to renewing on field rivalries and the off field friendships that were forged during their short visit to the Rock over the coming years.
