Report Day 1 Ashes
A 30-run victory for England marked an exciting start to this inaugural Ashes series. Following a rousing rendition of the National Anthems, Australia won the toss and sent England in to bat.
Totally Blind
Batsman Tim Guttridge started the innings with a stunning 8. But by the end of
the first over England were 12/2 with England's Captain Adam Benjamin and Vice
Captain Heindrich Swanepoel both out without score. Peter Robinson, Australia's
hostile opening bowler, caused all the England Batsmen trouble and went on to
complete bowling figures of 3/46 off 8 overs.
Tim Guttridge and Totally Blind Team mate Nathan Foy regenerated the England Innings adding 106 to the score in 13 overs. A sharp piece of fielding by Brett Wilson saw Guttridge run out for 48 soon after the first drinks break, Foy soon followed for 64. Wickets began to fall steadily but the Innings was held together by The Man of the Match, Mark Pickup, with a fine innings of 71 off 70 balls. Pickup's unbroken partnership with Matt Dean (37) saw England through to a challenging total of 299, which included penalties of 12 runs as the Australians failed to complete the required overs in the allocated time.
In reply Australia's opening batsmen commenced their innings with a partnership of 105. Brett Wilson (39) the former New Zealand Captain was the fist man to be dismissed by a stunning catch from Totally Blind Keryn Seal. By the time Wilson was dismissed the Australians were looking to increase their run rate as the England field were dominating the batting. Terry Eagers soon followed Wilson back to the pavilion but that bought in the dangerous Matthew Horsey. Horsey and Haydardedeoglu put on a partnership of 89, which consisted of an impressive display of aggressive batting. Haydardedeoglu and Horsey struck 11 boundaries before Haydardedeoglu was dismissed Lbw by Bryn Reynolds for 96. Reynolds went on to claim match figures of 3/51 from his 8 overs and was ably supported by Adam Benjamin (2/45) and Heindrich Swanepoel (1/42).
Following Haydardedeoglu's departure England kept up the pressure with debutante keeper Luke Sugg stumping Horsey, and Swanepoel's direct hit from the boundary line running out Peter Robinson. Australia were unable to keep up with the required run rate and eventually collapsed to 269/9 from their allotted 38 overs.
This competitive game was an excellent start
to the Ashes series, the eventual winner of which will be presented with an urn
containing the ashes of one of the stumps from the days play.
The remaining matches in the series will be played at Lord's Monday 23rd of August, 25th of August at the Rose Bowl, 26th of August at Horsham before the final match to be held at Bradfield College on Saturday 28th of August.