Young Radlett batsmen displays his class with new Radlett best

HCPL Division One

Oxford 316-5

Radlett 295-9

Match drawn

A BRILLIANT hundred from Kabir Toor put Radlett within touching distance of victory in a high-scoring game with Oxford.

In the end late wickets meant Radlett were holding out for a draw but it was a valiant run chase from Shane Burger’s side in an entertaining afternoon’s cricket at Cobden Hill.

The visitors had posted 316-5 from their 66 overs thanks to an unbeaten 150 from Nick Ferraby. Oxford had been reduced to 60-3 after some early controversy regarding a change of ball. Stefan Van Dyk had clubbed the ball to the boundary on a couple of occasions when the home side requested a change of ball because the original had lost its shape. After a long delay in which Oxford voiced their displeasure at a ball change, playe eventually restarted with a different ball and Radlett made it work.

Burger forced Van Dyk to top edge the ball to Robbie Crocker for 22 and in the next over Matt Corran got one to nick back in and knock back Jason Harrison’s off stump.

Stuart Laudat had added 23 to the scoreboard when he was dismissed by Heath Paynter to leave Oxford 60-3.

Ferraby and Perkin ensured there was to be no collapse from the visitors though and in the sweltering heat the pair made the ball do all the work. The pair hit boundaries aplenty as they put on a mammoth 175 for the fourth wicket. Wicket-keeper Perkin’s stay in the middle was eventually ended by Robbie Crocker, caught and bowled, for a 129-ball 73.

Ferraby continued unperturbed however chalking up a 153-ball 150 not out which included 17 4s and four 6s.

Fakir Dungaria dismissed John Barrett (20) to get Oxford five down but Crosby and Ferraby ensured the visitors posted over 300.

With just 54 overs in which to chase down Oxford’s score Radlett needed to get off to a flying start.

Shil Patel’s early dismissal for 11 wasn’t in the script but it did allow Toor, fresh from hitting 93 for Middlesex II against Hampshire in midweek, the chance to get in early and show what he can do.

The 20-year-old got Radlett back on course with James Lewis putting on 84 for the second wicket before Lewis succumbed to Sri Lankan spinner Shamilal Mendis, stumped by Perkin for 39.

Radlett’s skipper and talisman Burger scored briskly in his time in the middle helping himself to six 4s on his way to 36 but he was undone by a slower ball from Ferraby which dislodged the bails.

This bought wicket-keeper Tom Jenkins to the crease who got off the mark with a six.

Jenkins and Toor really climbed into the Oxford bowling attack as Radlett sensed victory was possible.

Toor bought up his century with a single clipped off his hips, just rewards for a highly entertaining and classy knock from the youngster.

Having put 83 on for the fourth wicket it was a shame to see Jenkins’ and Toor’s double act ended in calamitous circumstances. A mix up in communications saw the pair stranded in the middle of the wicket and Stuart Laudat completed the run out to end Jenkins’ contribution on 40.

Gwilym Jones was only able to add 1 before he became Ferraby’s second victim top edging the ball to Van Dyk at point but Toor and Graham Dill got Radlett back on track.

Toor could have been caught on 120 but thankfully for him the ball dropped short of Ferraby at mid-wicket. With Radlett requiring just 34 for victory they lost the vital wicket of Toor. The batsman tried to add another six to his collection but only succeded to find Stuart Hole who managed to hold onto the catch despite the best efforts of his teammate who ran into the fielder.

It ended a fantastic innings of 133 from Toor his highest score for the club, which took just 139 balls and included 12 4s and four 6s.

Following Toor’s dismissal Radlett began to crumble. Dill (15) was stumped by Perkin off Ferraby and Dungaria (9) was caught by Ian Evans on the square leg boundary to give Ferraby a five-wicket haul to add to his heroics with the bat.

A suicidal run out of Paynter (1) left Oxford with their tails up but Robbie Crocker and Matt Corran stood firm.

Oxford packed the slips for the final over but Corran dealt with Hole’s over well and survived a last ball lbw shout to ensure a draw.