Cricket East

Chairman of Bedfordshire County Cricket Club Ian Smith looks back at the 2018 season:

“Unfortunately, Bedfordshire CCC only had one T20 win from the 2018 season. But there were positives with young cricketers moving up from the Development XI to play Minor County Cricket: Ajay Singh Momi, Jack Fuller, Al Mahmud Hasan, Mohammad Ahmadzai, Harry McBrearty, Fayaz Homyoon, Harry Thurstance, Liam Everitt, Gus Miller and Nathan Healey.

“The season had no friendly fixtures due to April’s monsoon, so it was straight into the 50-over knock out with a trip to Horsford CC to take on Norfolk. We batted first – at one stage we were 26 for 5, Andy Reynoldson 72, George Darlow 31 and Tom Brett 22 got us to 165 all out. But this wasn’t good enough as Norfolk raced to a 10-wicket win.

“We moved on to the new Twenty 20 competition that saw groups of 5 counties, with every county playing twice on the same day. In the past we have done well in this type of cricket. This wasn’t going to be the case in 2018.

“We lost twice to Hertfordshire, Suffolk and Norfolk and last, we visited March to take on Cambridgeshire. The hosts needed two wins to top the Group and go to Finals Day. Cambs won the first game, the second game saw Beds bat first; Ajay Singh Momi hit 54 and George Thurstance being undefeated on 41. This proved too much for Cambs with Alex Evans claiming three wickets. Beds only win saw Norfolk qualify instead of Cambridgeshire.

“The Championship saw us gain draws against Northumberland and Hertfordshire, but four defeats against Buckinghamshire, Suffolk, Cumberland and Norfolk.

“The defeats in Buckinghamshire and Suffolk saw us try and bat out the last day to try and gain a draw. Both times we came close to achieving our objective.

“The County was led by Andy Reynoldson who scored 606 runs in the championship. The highlight was a wonderful 159 against Bucks that nearly got us a draw.

“Drew Brierley 152* nearly got us a draw with Suffolk. The next game he was required by Northants 2s. Second Elevens taking players became a major problem.

“Matt Taylor kept wicket well and claimed his first ton vs. Northumberland. In truth the game against Northumberland at Bedford School was our best chance of getting a win against young visitors. George Darlow claimed 17 wickets with his slow left arm, Al Hasan got 15 wickets opening the bowling with great heart.

“Andy Reynoldson will captain us again in 2019 and we will be strengthened by the return of James Kettleborough from Derbyshire 2nd XI.”