Written by Matt Adams
This past Sunday saw the Badgers descend on King George’s Playing Fields, venue of a memorable piece of Badger-lore last year (https://www.batterseabadgers.co.uk/articles/millfieldsbychriswhite). The day’s oppo, Worcester Park CC, had caused much trepidation in the lead-up to the game by listing the fixture under their Sunday 1st XI. Fortunately, that was eventually corrected to Sunday Social XI, and thus Skipper Gerrard released his Badgers to enjoy a late night watching England beat Norway in the World Cup.
The weather gods had seemingly confused Morden with the subcontinent; the pitch was dry, the outfield baked yellow, and the mercury above 30. Batters were relishing the opportunity to score big runs, and bowlers were looking forward to putting their feet up in the shade. Alas, the toss was lost and we were sent in to field.
Chairman Sam opened the bowling from the Pavilion (tree) End fresh off a 5-week cricketing hiatus, with 2026 recruit James Griffiths opening from the Drylands End. It was James who struck first, skittling the Worcester Park opener for a golden duck. From there the oppo failed to really settle into the crease, with runs hard to come by and the pitch offering plenty of bounce. Eight overs later, James struck again thanks to a smart catch by keeper Godfrey off a mean bouncer that nicked the gloves. Partridge then took over from the Pavilion End to take a wicket second ball – caught by Tom Rex at point-ish to leave the oppo 50-4 at the first Hydration Break.
Worcester Park found their rhythm after the break, with Batter 4 digging in against industrious bowling from Johnston, H. Gibbs and Partridge. Batter 6 fell to a good catch at square leg by MJ off Partridge, but Batter 7 came out guns blazing – hitting 9 fours off his opening 20 balls before the field spread and some control returned.
Heading towards the second Hydration Break with two set batters, Gerrard turned to his Vice Captain – this author – to see what the pitch would do with some off spin.
“How do you want the field?”
“I just want to go eat my scotch egg” came the reply. “But if you want to go in catching that would be nice too”. And lo, the fifth (legal) ball was wafted straight to Gerrard for a good take at short cover. Big partnership broken, the teams headed in for drinks at 140-6 off 30 overs.
After drinks, Johnston and Adams continued with renewed vigour, looking to finish off the innings quickly so Alex could get to the shops for some replacement teas. Adams replied willingly by taking another wicket, this time LBW given after a second chorus of appeals led by the Skipper.
The run rate steadied through the remaining 10 overs, with Batter 4 picking his way towards 50 having scored 49 in his two previous games. Bowlers Johnston (Trunford in the scorebook?!) and Hash continued to pile on pressure with tidy bowling from the Pavilion End, eventually combining well to take down Batter 9, before Chairman Allwood resumed to arrest any hopes of a Worcester Park tail wag.
Godfrey then wrapped up the innings with two stumpings off Madams before being given some homework to brush up on law 27.3 of the game. Presumably Batter 10 will have given the same homework to the square leg umpire! And so the Badgers headed into the interval with a target of 199.
Opening the batting were chalk and cheese in cricketing form: Hanafi and Rex. Hash started proceedings with his usual gusto, hitting the first ball of the innings for 4 before racking up 22 runs off his first 10 balls. Field well and truly spread now, the Badger openers continued to put on a partnership of 35 before Hash was caught for 33. Worcester Park’s hopes of a stymying of the run rate were denied by new batter MJ, who crashed 27 off 21 before also getting out caught leaving the Badgers on 81-2 off 11 overs.
The fielders’ heads well and truly down now, in came Captain Gerrard, knowing he needed 20 runs to hit the 1000 Badger run milestone. Dealing exclusively in fours and singles, the 20 runs were got, though celebrations from under the tree went unacknowledged in the middle. Both Toms continued to pile on runs, scoring at just under 8 an over as the Badgers approached 150 before Gerrard picked out the deep square fielder for 31.
Rex, now on 38, was also within touching distance of the 1000 run milestone, with just 9 more runs needed as he was joined at the crease by Godfrey. Jacques, keen to get home in time for Love Island, hit a swashbuckling 17 off 13 to nudge the score up to 164 before also being caught – can you see the pattern yet
In came Griffiths, hot off his 3-16 with the ball, ready to help Rexy get over the line. Solid strike rotation followed, and a string of 1s and 2s saw the 1000 run milestone and the 50 for Rex come up within a couple of balls. Griffiths then dutifully top edged a sweep to also get out caught, bringing in Johnston with the Badgers needing 14 to win. The runs fell without issue – the oppo now more interested in having a lay down – and Rexy carried his bat back to the big tree we had made our Pavilion. Two wins on the bounce now for Captain Tom!
Next, we head to the Isle of Man for mid-season tour and a much anticipated BBQ at casa Gerrard.