Cricket East

Bedfordshire over-50s have reached the ECB National o50s County Championship Final for the first time, following a 6 wicket win at the weekend over Wales.

The group stages (with 5 groups of 8 counties) commenced in the middle of May, with Bedfordshire winning Group 2 ahead of Cambridgeshire with 6 wins from 7 matches played. In the last 3 years, Beds have won 18 group matches from 21 as the team continues to progress in a tough group. As group winners, Beds were seeded as number 4 in the last 16 knockout draw which guaranteed home draws up until the semi-finals.

In the last-16, Beds were pitted against Middlesex, the 2022 runners-up and including several o50s international players. An aborted attempt after just 4 overs at a rainy Leighton Buzzard, saw a second game at Wardown Park which was a great advert for veterans cricket. With Middlesex placed well at 121-1, it took a great effort to bowl them out for just 192. The run chase saw contributions from many to get Beds home by 3 wickets with 2 overs to spare.

The quarter final was kindly hosted at Sharnbrook, at short notice, with Cheshire the opposition. They had demolished number 5 seeds Hampshire the previous week so a tough game was anticipated. Again the bowlers came up trumps as Cheshire were dismissed for just 159. At 82-0 in good time, a nervy run chase ensued and Beds fell over the line by just 2 wickets in the last over.

That led to a long road trip to take on the number 1 seeds, an unbeaten Wales, at a rather soggy Llanelli CC. Wales play international o50s cricket under their own flag and beat Australia at the recent World Cup in March!

Having won the toss, the Beds spinners bowled superbly to roll the hosts over for just 73. On a pitch not conducive to any form of strokeplay, it was a turgid yet disciplined battle to complete a 6 wicket victory.

So onto the final... having beaten a country in the semi-final, it is the largest county in the final! Cambridgeshire & Yorkshire finished tied on 174 runs each in their semi-final, however Yorkshire advance courtesy of losing fewer wickets. Sunday 10th September, Wormsley Cricket Ground (HP14 3YE), 11am start. All Bedfordshire supporters very welcome.