Christ's College England Cricket Tour 2015: 18 April vs Haberdashers

Today we journeyed to North London. It was only 13-15 miles but it still took an hour. Habers is a rural location and it was nice to think we were again in the countryside, although we were still in London. The venue was based around an old homestead on an estate. The school was founded in 1690 and is selective in their intake, meaning they accept only the top academic students. Between 30-40 each year go onto Oxford or Cambridge Universities. The school and site is impressive.

The Development XI completed a large 114 run win. Batting first College found the wicket slow and low. Blake and Jones were both dismissed early and this brought J Bird (70) and Kerr (58) together and they put on a 120 run partnership. Bird has developed the English technique of gliding the ball into the off side, while Kerr was more happy to bludgeon to the leg side. Leggat (23), Tempero (31) and a late cameo from Macfarlane (18) pushed the score to an impressive 247 in 40 overs. The nature of the wicket meant that College had medium pacers bowling from one end and spinners from the other. All were successful - Aiken (3) and Jones (2) picked up the most wickets. A comprehensive victory was recorded as Habers were dismissed for 133.

Scorecards:
Blake 7
Jones 7
J Bird 70
Kerr 58
Leggat 23
Tempero 31
Simpson 12
Raymond 3
Macfarlane 18no
Thatcher 5no

Tempero 8-0-28-1
I Bird 6-0-22-1
Abbot 4-0-23-1
Aitken 5-0-13-3
Raymond 2-0-6-1
Thatcher 4-2-5-1
Macfarlane 3-0-16-0
Jones 3.3-0-17-2

The 1st XI also completed a comprehensive victory winning by 8 wickets. A debut was given to Weeks. College was forced to field first and as usual the batsmen were aggressive. The first over saw a 4 and 6 belted to the boundary. Habers were batting very well and it took until the 17th over until College gained their second wicket (86/2). From here College was able to gain some control as McKellar, Murray, Whyte and Freeman-Greene were all able to stifle the runs and following the 20 over drinks break were able to collect 4 more wickets in the next five overs. The final partnership put on 24 before the opposition were dismissed for 154 in 37 overs. Freeman-Greene (3/20) was the most successful, while McKellar and Whyte picked up two each.

Freeman-Greene and Weeks celebrate a wicket

... and team celebration

Fielding in front of the Manor House

In reply the College start was crucial and the openers did not disappoint. Williamson (36) and Heselwood (40no) put on 50 inside the 10th over, with Williamson particularly positive with a strike rate of 90. Chamberlain (49) joined Heselwood in another half century partnership and Chamberlain, continuing his recent good form, was unlucky to be dismissed in trying to bring up his 50. Thatcher (15no) played a little cameo and Heselwood deserves to be congratulated on batting the innings. The runs were scored in the 27th over.

Scorecard:
Thomson 8-2-41-1
Macfarlane 3-0-13-0
Chamberlain 3-0-16-1
McKellar 8-3-27-2
Murray 4-0-26-1
Whyte 4-2-5-2
Freeman-Greene 7-1-20-3

Catches: Thatcher 2, Whyte, Heselwood

Williamson 36
Heselwood 40no
Chamberlain 49
Thatcher 15no