Having been thrashed by an innings by Putney Cricket Club in their initial first-class encounter this season, the Crusaders were looking to rectify that result in their return match at Putney Cricket Ground. The pitch was enticing for the fast bowlers, and the speed trio of Eddie Ayres, Carlos Hibbert and Allan Blott were licking their lips to get an opportunity to bowl. They were not disappointed as the home side put the Crusaders into bat first.

Putney’s first innings was dismal as they were carted out for 88 thanks to some excellent fast bowling by Ayres(3/24), some precise swing bowling from Graham Ferdinand(2/7), and some inspirational spinning by Chris Hayward(3/8). Audie was the only one to offer any resistance with 23*

Crusaders took to bat and masterfully put all expectations of another large defeat to rest as a record fourth wicket partnership of 462 between John Simpson(180) and Steve Lothrop paved the way to an immaculate total. Firstly it was Prince’s 54 and Jeremy’s 62 that began the domination after O’Shea fell for 19. But Simpson and Lothrop batted for the better part of a day as they took the bowling to all parts of the ground. Lothrop made a whopping and career best 368 before being adjudged in front against Geldenhuizen, but by then the damage was done and the lower order just hung around long enough to get the Crusaders to 796 all out.

Putney fought hard for the draw, thanks mostly to Smuts’ fighting 62, but with the wicket offered the seamers immense assistance, the home team could not manage more than 196. Hibbert capped a good match with 3/46, Ayres took 3/57 and Hayward contributed with 3/20 in 10.1 overs. Crusaders won by an innings and 512 runs and there was no doubt as to who the man-of-the-match was.

The team was: O’Shea(c), Prince, Jeremy, Simpson, Lothrop, Ferdinand, Ahad(wk), Hayward, Blott, Hibbert, Ayres. 12th: Kenny.

In a one-day league match this week, the Crusaders hosted top of the log The Jewelers on a dusty wicket, perfect for the spinners. Captain Matt O’Shea won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first, hoping to make first use of the conditions.

Eddie Ayres ousted opener Upton in the first over for a duck and much excitement was created from that wicket. However, the enthusiasm died somewhat as Lentin(66) and Stearman(112) put on 178 for the second wicket before Chris Hayward trapped Lentin in front at the start of his second spell. Just 5 runs later, both Stearman and Chikosi(11*) ended up at the same end after poor calling by Chikosi, and Stearman was run out, causing a batting collapse. The next 8 wickets fell for just 24 runs as Eddie Ayres(4/51) and Tim Fox4/24) took control of the innings in their final spells, limiting The Jewelers to 203 all out.

Having never beaten The Jewelers, this was a perfect opportunity to correct that record, although O’Shea warned of complacency during the break, reminding his team that these were all very experienced bowlers who were not sitting at the top of the table for nothing.

O’Shea took the lead in the chase and hit the ball to all parts of the park as he shared in the opening stand of 151 with Michael Prince. Prince was bowled by Naipaul for 52, but the damage had already been done and the rest was just a formality. O’Shea reached his century off 103 balls with a beautiful six off Robinson, hit right over his head, and finally ended the innings on 122*. Graeme Jeremy contributed well with 24* off 19 balls in the 2nd wicket stand of 55, giving the Crusaders a massive victory by 9 wickets.

Manager Neville Smeda had much to say after the game about the pre-match preparations, “We had such a big selection issue, mostly regarding our batting order. We knew that experience would be a big factor against such a top-rated team that we were divided between keeping our tried and tested, or bringing in experience. In that regard we were juggling the names of Prince and Kenny to open, with the former showing the experience and Kenny being the man in form. Then we were unsure of Simpson or Stearman in the middle order, with Simpson having played very little one-day cricket this season. I’ll be the first to admit that I pulled captain Matt aside right after the toss and told him that I think I may have messed up on leaving John Simpson out as experience is key in matches like this. The rest is history”.

O’Shea added, “What a way to end the week, three enthralling victories. I just don’t have words to describe the excitement in the camp right now”.

The team was: Prince, O’Shea(c), Jeremy, Lothrop, Stearman, Ferdinand, Ahad(wk), Hayward, Harding, Fox, Ayres. 12th: Simpson.

The Crusaders completed their T20 league matches this week with another 100% week of victories, ensuring their 2nd place finish just 4 points behind the winners.

The first obstacle was to overcome a weakened Lahore Badshahs123 team. The task was minimal as the match was wrapped up within 20 overs. Lahore won the toss and elected to bat first on a green top, and their batsmen were outdone by the quicks with Ayres picking up 2/5, Hibbert 2/14 and Blott 2/10. Hayward chipped in at the end with 3/17, giving him the player of the match award. Prince(30*) and O’Shea(32*) knocked the runs off in the 6th over of their innings, leaving them victory by 10 wickets.

The final T20 match of the season was against Noon Raiders and captain O’Shea was more than happy to elect to bat on a belter of a wicket. Openers Geoff Kenny and O’Shea batted through the entire innings before Kenny was caught on the mid-wicket boundary for 109 off the last ball of the innings, assisting O’Shea(130*) in getting to 239/1 after 20 overs. Noon Raiders stood very little chance of reaching the target and were bowled out in the 11th over for 55. Tim Fox led the charge with 3/22 and was well-supported by Graham Ferdinand(3/3). Chris Kotzo, in a rare apperance for the Crusaders 1st XI, bowled beautifully to take 2/2 in 7 balls, once again showing that there is no substitute for experience. O’Shea took the player of the match award and took great delight at finishing 2nd in a competition that his side has traditionally struggled in.

“I’m thrilled. We have not played well in T20 cricket, but this season we made a concerted effort to improve on our skills, and it has paid off. To finish second in a group of 12 teams, its something special and the entire team has gelled well together this season”.

After a heavy defeat the week before against Xerox XI in a first-class league match, the return match showed greater excitement at the T&N Smeda Stadium in front of a daily average of nearly 10,000 spectators.

Crusaders captain Matt O’Shea won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket he was hoping to utilize his spinners on to full effect on the final day. The innings began nicely with an opening stand of 67 between O’Shea and Michael Prince, before the latter was adjudged LBW for 28. Graeme Jeremy followed 2 balls later, and a replay of the previous week’s batting collapse seemed imminent. That was not to be as John Simpson(43) steadied the ship in a 3rd wicket partnership of 92. After a silly run out of William Downing(14), Graham Ferdinand took complete control of the situation as he played a cautious knock of 85* with 11 fours and a six. He did not receive much support from the lower order, but a reasonable total of 359 was posted shortly before the close of day 1. O’Shea commanded in the batting department again with a brilliant 136, while Spilsbury bowled with utmost accuracy to claim 5/28 from 22 overs.

The Crusaders bowlers could not have asked for a better start to day 2 as they had Xerox XI reeling on 18/5 thanks to a whirlwind opening spell from Carlos Hibbert and Eddie Ayres. With the bowling change came a break in the wicket-taking as Mabaso(91*) and Rudd(53) added 120 for the 6th wicket to take their team towards the follow-on target. The target was not reached as Hibbert’s second spell cleaned up the tail as he finished with a career-best 4/35, aided by Ayres’ 3/61 to leave Xerox XI all out for 195.

The second innings for the visitors was a tougher one for the Crusaders bowlers as big partnerships were put together between Spilsbury(115), Anterpen(92) and Corby(83). Hibbert looked fatigued as he took to a second straight day of bowling and his figures of 0/95 in 20 reflected the stamina issue. Ayres was once again the star as he picked up a disciplined 5/85, backed up by Ferdinand’s 3/83. Amazingly only 4 wickets were taken between the two quality spinners in both innings’ on a wicket suited for the spin.

Needing 265 to win in 69 overs, the Crusaders began the chase well on the final day with O’Shea(102) and Prince(32) showing again their command at the top of the order. The turning point of the match came when John Simpson was bogged down by Spilsbury, causing him to go into a shell and decrease his batting intensity. Simpson’s 18 off 66 balls caused a panic in the latter part of the order as Ferdinand(35*) and Rohana Ahad(35*) were required to take greater risks. Disappointingly, the Crusaders fell 17 runs short as they ended the match on 248/5.

The match was drawn and Spilsbury took the player of the match award after his century and tight bowling really made the difference in the result.

O’Shea said after the match, “Prior to this match we were hoping to get away with a draw, which is what we achieved. But to get so close to a win, literally within an over or two, against such a quality side that has always beaten us, it causes an uneasy feeling in the stomach. I hope we play them next season and look forward to another excellent battle”.

Fast bowler Eddie Ayres also commented on the intensity of the match, “This is probably the most intense first-class match I’ve ever played in as we came so agonizingly close to beating our arch-nemesis. I’m glad it got as close as it did, although of course I would have preferred the win”.

The team was: O’Shea(c), Prince, Jeremy, Simpson, Downing, Ferdinand, Ahad(wk), Hayward, Harding, Hibbert, Ayres. 12th: Moller.

Next week the Crusaders return to BT20 action before their return match away against the Walkers, a team they beat very convincingly at the beginning of the season.