Ben Fulton's maiden hundred sinks Merton

The genesis of this game occurred a year earlier, when LNZ competed in the Middlesex 6-a-side competition. Such events are often as much about marketing our great club, as they are about performance. Incidentally we won the competition in a bowl-off, curiously the first of 2 bowl off victories that season. Given the star attraction that day was Kane Williamson, a number of kiwi-endowed sides had turned up. As ever, LNZ drew plenty of attention, resulting in invitations to play at various grounds. Merton CC proved the most appealing bid.

A quick search of the club website revealed some amazing nuggets of history. These included the fact that Sir Jack Hobbs was once a member and Surrey had played a Minor Counties match there. But, just as importantly, its lure was based on its close proximity to central London — a factor that would become increasingly important later in the day.

Leith was entrusted with match management and like all good leaders, immediately set about delegating responsibilities. His pre-match communications included the promise of the “last fun day before the ferocity of the N v S” the following week. Given it was a Saturday fixture, there was also the “opportunity for a few beers after”. It was no wonder, therefore, that this particular XI appeared to possess such a strong proven off-field capability.

Merton’s PR machine was in full swing, generating some fine publicity in advance and the promise of a BYO braai and ‘everything must go’ as the bar was winding down for the season.

And so to the game…

40 overs a side, with Leith calling correctly and opting to bat first. The LNZ XI possessed a couple of recognised batsmen, your standard bat-and-bit and bowl-some all-rounders that any self-respecting New Zealand side would have, and five of the more regular tailenders in the club.

Frosty opened with Shaun in a solid yet circumspect start. Both fell for 12 in the seventh over, setting an early high-water mark for the afternoon’s gear-bag-packing duties.

25-2.

This brought Johnny Brewis to the crease, potentially in his last game for the club before departing back to NZ, alongside Fults. A change of bowling brought about some fruitful clobbering, with Johnny clearing the boundary on a couple of occasions, before being well caught for 39 at a strike rate of 140. His innings formed part of a 60-run partnership.

John Shae then strode to the crease and provided dogged support as Fults got into his groove.

Another 40-run partnership followed before John too departed for 12. Tempo was required for the final 15.

Fults duly obliged, peppering the covers and looking well in his stride. On the sidelines, Chairman Cheyne was excitedly updating all and sundry as Fults’ aggregate progressed in his challenge for the annual batting award.

It had been well documented that Fults, who averages about 70 for the club, had yet to score a hundred, although he had managed one against us before we prised him away from HAC.

His duck was finally broken with a boundary thru backward point. Clearly he has fallen upon a successful formulae, potentially due to commitments in the night leading to the game, with further commitments prior to the start of the game. The latter almost leading to his latest of arrival.

He eventually succumbed for a tremendous 114 from 93 balls, including 14 fours and two sixes.

At the other end, Shayan produced an impressive 40 from as many balls, his innings featuring many a well-middled delivery. The pair added 110 in the final 12 overs.

Extras also had a productive afternoon, contributing 26, including 15 wides, as LNZ finished on 258 from their 40 overs.

With a bowling juggernaut at hand, including three bowlers in pursuit of trophy glory — as repeatedly reminded to us by Cheyne — Leith empowered Vancer with first use of the ball.

Charles’ standing in his 80 th game of the season, disappointing down from 120 in 2025, was soon in action, raising his index finger in the first over, trapping their opener LBW. Vancer then accounted for the next two wickets, castling both batsmen in consecutive deliveries. The first of the two resulting in over enthusiasm akin to David Warner’s grade cricket ton.

Shekher got through a clutch of tidy overs before handing over to Shaun “Silkie” Wilkie at 30-3.

Silkie was able to extract some sharp bounce, bowling a heavy ball. He thoroughly deserved his first wicket with back-to-back bouncers, possibly the best deliveries of the day. The first resulted in a dropped catch, resulting in a full double teapot.

Possibly through annoyance, this prompted an even angrier bouncer, which this time was obligingly caught by the captain at mid-on.

49-4.

Silkie then castled his next two with yorkers, and he too found himself on a hat-trick.

87-6.

Merton now required another 170, and things were beginning to look rather more like a meet and greet than a successful run chase.

Following a noticeable lack of diving in the outfield a grizzled elderly telling-off ensued. Later in the over, a run-out was created from a raised level of said commitment — apparently demonstrating that motivational speeches do occasionally work no matter now village.

Leith had came off his long run for a few overs before channelling his inner Garfield Sobers and turning his arm over with a couple of overs of spin. Possibly conserving himself for the vigors of next week…

Mike McClean took up the challenge with a notable spell that included a snipper taking him out in mid delivery. This unceremoniously had Mike being dumped on the pitch, ball still in hand.

For those who have had the pleasure of playing with Mike this season, it’s not the first time such a ninja attach has been undertaken. He was able to brush off the assault and hoover up the tail in a metronomic spell of inswing.

Merton were eventually all out for 133, leaving LNZ victorious by 125 runs.

Fults picked up the MoM pinot, before the post-match beverages 2 for 1 began in earnest. Alas Merton’s promise of a braai provided even less resilience than their batting order, leaving Mike hauling enough meat back home to feed a small country.

Kiwi’s love a bargain and the 2 for 1 were stacked up. In what’s quickly becoming a reoccurring theme, our solid drinking efforts and general patronage of their clubrooms brought the closing of their clubhouse in as many weeks as once again we’re the final patrons to be ushered out.

For some of the more committed rogues amongst our number (of which there was a solid representation), they cracked on where chat turned to the forthcoming Nth vs. Sth (holders), rubbish tactics and team selection. Time was officially called at 4am.

A successful day on the field, a fine inaugural fixture, and, most importantly, another successful LNZ demonstration that our off-field capability aligns with our on-field performance.

Photos

Ben Fulton made his maiden ton for LNZ

Action shot v Merton, streamed live

John Shea was awarded his 25 match pin

Vance Thompson practised his Ibiza moves v Merton CC