Debutants shine as LNZ chase down Earlswood Strollers

London New Zealand made it a winning Sunday at Bromley Common, chasing down Earlswood Strollers' 166 with 23 balls to spare in what was a thoroughly encouraging team performance, made all the more notable by three debutants making their mark and a fielding display of uncommon reliability for the club.

Earlswood, having won the toss and elected to bat, were motoring steadily through the middle overs. An early wicket in the start of their innings gave LNZ a foothold, but Schwilk (32) steadied things with a composed contribution before falling just past the halfway mark. It was Thomas who proved the heartbeat of the Earlswood innings, a formidable knock of 79 from 71 balls, including nine fours and three sixes, carrying them from 71 for 2 all the way to 160 before finally departing. Watson chipped in with 14 and Gandhi contributed 5 in the middle order as the tail was tidied up. Earlswood finished on 166 all out in 33.3 overs.

The LNZ bowling had a disrupted start when Wilkie left the field after just two overs with a side strain, a significant blow given the depleted resources it created. Debut man Bartholomew (2-23 from 6.3 overs) bowled tidily and with real promise on his first appearance, while fellow debutant Muggeridge (1-16 from 4 overs) showed admirable economy. The pick of the attack, though, was Maroof (3-21 from 4 overs), who threw himself into the contest with real energy, his looping variations deceiving three Earlswood batters in quick succession during the closing stages. Kumar (2-34 from 7 overs) also claimed two scalps.

With Wilkie unable to continue in the field, Leith Cowie, who had come along to watch and umpire, found himself pressed into service for 36 overs, performing admirably at cover point. The fielding as a whole was outstanding, with zero dropped catches, a rarity of the highest order for LNZ.

The chase began with debutant Pryde (46) reprieved early by a dropped chance before going on to construct a well-judged innings of nine fours and a six, giving LNZ the platform they needed at the start of their reply. Khanbhai fell cheaply before Robertson attempted to take the attack on from ball one, only to be dismissed immediately, leaving Neal(50 not out) to face what would have been a hat-trick ball. He survived, though not without some discomfort, scratching around for some time before eventually reaching his half-century and retiring. Bassett (20) played some lovely drives through the covers, and debutant Muggeridge (19 not out) ensured the finishing line was crossed with comfort.

Watson (3-40 from 8 overs) and Leach (2-22 from 8 overs) were the pick of the Earlswood attack, but never truly threatened to derail a chase LNZ controlled throughout.

Pryde was deservedly named Player of the Match by the opposition captain, a fine tribute to an impressive all-round debut which included three catches in the covers to go with his half-century contribution.