Brixworth CC

You can read a full report of Brixworth's memorable win over the World XI, by Ray Foster, here. Full scorecard details are below.

After more meetings than most people care to remember, the planning and preparation, came to fruition on Friday July 30th when the celebrated Lashings Xl came to Brixworth to play cricket and support the Little Miracles Fund and Brixworth CC.

The previous two days had seen the infrastructure of the event take shape as a marquee was erected and the clubhouse was converted into a barn and suppliers and caterers commenced their preparations whilst gazebos sprung up like mushrooms to accommodate the additional requirements of staging a cricket match against a world renowned cricket team - an event never before seen in Northamptonshire.

The celebrities and players started to arrive at about 11.00 am and the car park team began marshalling them into the field set aside for well over 100 vehicles. By 12.00 the corporate bar was in full operation as the invited guests started to enjoy the day, with old friends renewing acquaintance and catching a glimpse of world famous cricketers appearing in the distinctive Lashings strip.

The corporate lunch was due to start at 12.30pm but not before the Lashings team had been individually introduced by Jason Gillespie. Scott Charlton, the Voice of Lashings, opened the proceedings and after a few speeches kept the guests well informed of the treasures available to buy or bid for. Scott conducted the auction and the final bid was for a 3 day trip to an F1 grand prix of choice, with access to the pits and the motor homes of the racing teams. In Scott’s terms an unprecedented prize which raised the full reserve and a bit more besides? (Full details of the overall financial result will appear in a few weeks when the treasurer has done his sums)

At 3.20pm, slightly later than advertised, the guests were all satisfactorily wined and dined. The Brixworth staff on the gates had been kept busy with a continuous flow of cars, and people on foot, as villagers and supporters from the surrounding area, including many from other clubs in the county began to arrive, visit the public bar and burger stands, and pitch their folding chairs, creating a carnival atmosphere never before seen at a Brixworth Cricket Ground.

The coin was tossed and to no one’s surprise Lashings were going to bat first. The game had been decreed 30 overs per side. Ian Harvey and Lou Vincent opened the batting against the steady attack of Will Sneath and Ross McLean. The antipodean pair treated the club bowlers with respect and whilst scoring at about 7 an over were still watchful on a wicket on a wicket that was probably slower than they were used to in their first class days. Vincent was the first to fall with score at 16 to be replaced by James Marshall.

The commentary was being provided by the experienced professional Henry Olonga and an enthusiastic amateur from the local club and they suggested after the first 8 overs that the Lashings Xl would score at least 250.

Marshall ( 43) and Mohammad Asrafal kept the scoreboard moving, with a few sixes off the spinners but the Lashings rate did not increase much above 7 per over as falling wickets prevented any significant partnerships developing. Asraful scored 55 with 6 fours but Wasim Jaffa, Jason Gillespie, Chris Harris and Phil Defreitas came and went and at the end of the 30th over the Lashings score was only 200. Slightly below par as all the Brixworth Xl bowlers took a wicket and reduced the sixes and anticipated lost balls to an acceptable level.

Teatime and another opportunity to make some more money for the joint causes as more auction prizes were put under the hammer and Scott requested more bids in the silent auction which had been available all day and was soon to close.

The game restarted at 5.30pm but with the threat of rain as the sky was turning black and the locals forecast a gloomy conclusion. George Arblaster and Paul Blakemore opened for Brixworth against the international pairing of Mohammad Akram and Devon Malcolm. They showed scant respect for the illustrious pair and a flurry of boundaries produced 30 runs in three overs. Paul being particularly harsh on his team mate and club president Devon Malcolm. Although Paul mishit a slower ball from

Akram the hosts were 44-1 of 4 overs. George Arblaster also departed for 26 but this only allowed Fred Newborough and Clint Tomlinson to increase the run rate against the change bowling of Jason Gillespie and Saqlain Mushtaq .The threatened rain finally drove the players into the marquee with Brixworth were 100-2 after 11 overs.

A twenty minute break ensued before the rain abated sufficiently to allow play to continue and by now Lashings were utilising the spin of skipper Chris Harris in tandem with Saqlain. Tomlinson scored a fine 53 with 6 fours and 3 sixes, and Newborough 30 ( 3 fours and 1 six) The rate slowed down but the wet ball hampered the spinners and umpire Paul Joy, was oblivious to the impassioned appeals from an unimpressed Saqlain, although wickets were falling in the need to secure the win before rain finished the proceedings.

A vigorous knock by Alex Lacy with 6 fours in his 40 removed that possible disappointment as The Lashings Xl sportingly played on in steady rain and Brixworth won by 5 wickets to produce a fitting end to a truly wonderful day. 

Lashings World Xl

Ian Harvey c Alarbaster b Maclean 36

Lou Vincent c Tomlinson b Sneath 2

James Marshall st Hofbauer b Musgrave 43

Mohammad Ashraful lbw Lacy 55

Wasim Jaffar lbw Lacy 11

Phil Defreitas c Arblaster b Sibley 3

Harry Grantham-Wright c Hofbauer b Wolstenhome 5

Chris Harris c Newborough c Mclean 20

Saqlain Mushtaq not out 9

Jason Gillespie not out 8

Did not bat: Devon Malcolm, Richie Richardson, Mohammad Akram 

Extras: 8 (3lb, 5w)

Total for 8 wickets 200

Fall of Wickets 1-16 2-40 3-109 4-141 5-154 6-159 7-174 8-195

Bowling: Ross Maclean 5 1 27 2, Will Sneath 4 0 32 1, Mark Wolstenholme 5 0 44 1, Steve Musgrave 5 0 34 1, Colin Sibley 6 0 28 1, Alex Lacy 5 0 32 2

Brixworth Invitation XI

George Arblaster c Vincent b Akram 26

Paul Blakemore ct Ashraful b Akram 20

Clint Tomlinson Finedon c Marshall b Harris 53

Fred Newborough Brixworth c Akram b Harris 30

Greg Haufbauer st Vincent b Asraful 19

Alex Lacy not out 40

Mark Wolstenholme not out 8

Did not bat: Steve Musgrave, Ross Maclean, Will Sneath, Colin Sibley 

Extras (2b, 5lb, 1w) 8 

Total for 5 wickets 204

Fall of Wickets. 1-33 2- 66 3-116 4-138 5- 159

Bowling: Mohammad Akram 4 1 11 2, Devon Malcolm 2 0 34 0, Jason Gillespie 3 0 22 0, Chris Harris 6 0 44 2, Saqlain Mushtaq 5 0 40 0, Ian Harvey 3.4 0 34 0, Mohammad Ashraful 3 0 12 1

Umpires Keith Parsons, Paul Joy

Scorer Hannah Varley