Belgrade XI

21st Apr 2013 - Foxes Oval Belgrade
Won by 96 runs - NRR = 2.74

After the disappointments of Saturday, CIPA returned to the Foxes Oval on Sunday eager to even their Serbian record against a Belgrade Select XI. Captain Mark Jolly continued his 100% record of losing the toss, and CIPA were sent in to bat.

Rob Patterson and Stuart Lumsden approached the early overs in watchful style, keen to avoid another top order collapse. Having seen off the opening bowlers, Stuart begin to accelerate against the first change with a burst of boundaries before eventually holing out to mid-on. Rob Jackson’s innings at #3 was rather brief, but great comedy value for the spectators, as a flurry of indecision, followed by a vital slip, saw him run out without facing a ball. But RPatts continued to watchfully compile an innings at the other end and, when drinks were taken after 15 overs, the platform was set at 57-2. Seemingly distracted by the break, RPatts’ vigil was ended in the first over back, skying to mid-off, and CIPA were in danger of throwing away a good start. We should not have worried – Andy Spurr joined Simon Thomas at the crease, and the two of them set about dismantling the Serbian attack. Simon displayed a combination of wristy elegance and ferocious power as he unleashed an array of glorious strokes all around the wicket, with Spurr matching him almost shot for shot. Neither offered a serious chance, despite occasional misbehaviour from the ‘lively’ new surface, as they both marched towards well-deserved half centuries. Once CIPA’s score had moved from promising to imposing, Simon retired for an outstanding 63 not out.

If the Belgrade XI thought they were able to relax after Simon’s departure, they were about to be in for a hefty shock as James Shearman wandered out to the wicket and took guard. His first ball was soon flying back over the bowler’s head for a very big six. After a massive windmill-and-miss at his second delivery, balls three and four disappeared in the same direction as the first. By the time his innings of wanton brutality (35 in 12 balls) was ended a few overs later, the game was up. There remained time for Spurr to complete his own 50, and cameos of very different styles from captain Jolly (nurdling) and Chris Milton (clobbering), as CIPA finished on an intimidating 259-5.

Belgrade’s task in chasing down that target lurched from very difficult to nigh-on impossible after Andy Grant and Tony Williams picked up the wicket of an opener apiece in tight opening spells. Belgrade number 4 – an Aussie making his local debut – launched an impressive counter-attack with a quality innings of 88, but with little run support from the other end, and a combination of Mark Jolly, Rob Patterson, Stuart Lumsden and Dave Prothero keeping a lid on the scoring, the required rate begin to sky rocket. A few pieces of comedy fielding from CIPA kept the crowd entertained but the eventual departure of our Aussie foe (to a great catch from Simon at cow corner) heralded a flurry of late wickets, including two for Chris Milton, two more for a returning Tony, and a couple of fine run outs from diminutive keeper Andy Spurr.

Belgrade were eventually bowled out for 163 in the final over, and CIPA had completed a resounding 96-run victory to give them a split of the matches in Belgrade, and some momentum for the start of the season proper in May.

Batting

Player	Runs scored	How Out	4s	6s	SR
Rob Patterson	23	Caught	1	0	40
Stuart Lumsden	16	Caught	3	0	84
Rob Jackson		Run Out	0	0	-
Simon Thomas	63*		7	3	119
Andy Spurr	50*		6	1	132
James Shearman	35	Bowled	4	2	292
Mark Jolly	9*		0	0	100
Chris Milton	17	Bowled	1	1	213
Andy Grant					-
Dave Prothero					-
Tony Williams					-
Extras	46				-

CIPA - 259 for 5 off 35
Scorebook

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