Earlier this week, the school’s 1st XI took on staff and parents in the director of cricket’s 1st XI for an exciting end-of-year cricket match.
Scenes of tension and wild excitement saw the director of cricket’s team claim a tie with the 1st XI with a boundary from the last ball of the match. Batting first, the school were struggling captain Sinan Mahmud holed out on the boundary to Mr Gwynne, director of cricket, off Simon Barker’s (Ivan’s father) bowling to make them three down for only 53. However, they were rescued by a confident partnership of 89 between George Wilson (63), who was dismissed by a stunning catch from director of rugby Mr Gaynor and Ernest Pretzlik (39) and seemed confident that a total of 148 would be enough in their 20 overs.
The director of cricket's 1st XI
The director of cricket’s XI got away to a brisk start thanks to Mr Fernando, financial controller (22 off 19 balls) and this was built upon by ex-1st XI wicket-keeper OE David Kemp and Miss Johl from the PE Department with a 68 run partnership. However, David’s dismissal led to a dramatic collapse with middle order star Mr Leadbetter (Maths teacher) being bowled for nought and Mr Gwynne being run out without facing a ball. Six wickets had fallen for just five runs, with Sacha Banks bowling a double wicket maiden and the situation seemed hopeless when resident Australian DT teacher Mr James strode out to join Miss Johl at the fall of the 8th wicket with just three overs remaining. The turning point came in the 19th over, however, as Will Ellis was dispatched to all parts to the tune of 26 runs. Opening bowler George Wilson returned to try to stop the seven runs needed off the last over being scored and despite completing her 50, Miss Johl had to leave the last ball to Mr James. He smote the ball high towards long on and was but a metre away from the six that would have won the game outright, but the boundary led to the game ending as an exciting tie.
The Emanuel School 1st XI 2018-19