Warehouse v Ipswich

Webb Shield 2020/21

17 January 2021 at Marchant Park 10

Despite the heavy Saturday rain, and overcast conditions, play started on time at 9.30 for the second Webb Shield clash of the season. Warehouse had one win in the bag, so a win here would mean the first Webb Shield for Warehouse since 1997/98

Skipper Stevo Rees lost the toss and was invited to bat by Ipswich skipper Lee Watts. As is usually the case, the MP10 wicket was tricky. Tricky becomes impossible if you close your eyes when the bowler is running in which was the case for Brad Sengstock, henceforth known as “Blinky Bill”.

Hayden Marks dug in with Akshay Ashok for a short while, before Akshay got one that stopped on him and spooned a drive to short cover.

Smit Mehta joined Marks and the pair consolidated, seeing out the opening bowlers and the new ball. Marks, attempting to accelerate, fell in over 20, bringing Pat Moulton to the wicket. Moulton contributed 22 out of a 29 run 4th wicket partnership in just 27 balls, before being deceived by a Dylan McAteer wrong-un.

Charith Anthony joined Mehta for a more sedate partnership as they fought hard to see out McAteer. Anthony was out in the 24th over when he unfortunately drilled a pull shot straight to square leg.

With the score on 5/114, the next partnership was crucial. Rees and Mehta did not disappoint. Cautious early, the pair added 79 from 88 balls for the 6th wicket. Mehta was eventually run-out, attempting a single that wasn’t there, for a well-compiled 79 from 121 balls.

Rees was out a couple of overs later trying to hit out in the final overs. Disappointingly, wickets then tumbled and just 19 came from the last 5 overs to take the final score to 212, but, the runs were “on the board”. A good fielding and bowling effort was now needed.

Daniel Mitchell and Anthony opened tidily, restricting Ipswich to 20 from the first 7 overs before the first wicket fell to a Moulton slips catch off Mitchell.

Rees picked up the second wicket in the 13th over when Sengstock kept his eyes open long enough (😁) to take the catch behind the stumps.

Ipswich then consolidated well in the face of some searching bowling by Rees and Abhi Patel, the latter especially miserly conceding just 17 in a 7 over spell.

With Ipswich going along nicely at 2/85, wickets were needed and Mehta obliged, taking two in an over to reduce Ipswich to 4/85.

Just like the Warehouse innings, Ipswich needed a partnership. Dylan McAteer and Jacob Anderson provided that; adding 76 from 104 for the 5th wicket, taking Ipswich to within striking distance of the target. With the score on 161 from 42 overs, Rees re-introduced himself and claimed a first ball LBW to break the critical partnership.

A quick 20-run, 6th wicket partnership between Anderson and skipper Lee Watts was brought to an end when Abhi Patel cleaned up the skipper in the 46th over, leaving Ipswich 32 to get from 27 balls. Ipswich still appeared to be in the box seat with Anderson still at the wicket on 84.

However, there was no panic from Warehouse. Three dot balls finished Patel’s final over and Rees gave up just three singles in the next; Ipswich 6/184 with three overs to go.

The excellent death bowling was taking its toll and the three dot balls by Mitchell at the start of the 48th, turned the screws further. The pressure was too much for Anderson; a big swing propelled the ball into the waiting hands of Anthony at long on and it was 7/184; Anderson out for 86. Mitchell, bowling a 48th over wicket maiden, leaving Ipswich 29 to get from 12 balls.

A wicket to Rees in the 49th and a run out by Akshay in the last, brought the innings to a close on 192; Warehouse home by 20 runs.

One Webb Shield clash remains, but with 2 wins to Warehouse, the Webb Shield is WON. Congratulations!

Full Match Analysis