Crossy’s 3rd team, in 4th place, took on 9th place Guildford at St Albans Road on a far different track to the away game earlier in the season at Stoke Rec where Guildford’s 81 all out was (only just) overtaken by the Llamas 82-9.

Crossy won the toss and chose to field and opening bowler Callum Gurbutt began with his usual accuracy and started with 2 maidens. It was Callum that made the early breakthrough having Callum Mclean (5) lbw and followed that in the 7th over getting his 2nd wicket (8-3-10-2) having Dhanush Gowda (5) caught in the slip cordon by Ollie Harris to have Guildford 14-2 in the 7th over.

Keeper Fraser McGuinness was standing up to both Callum and fellow opening bowler Aadil Raza keeping the batsmen “at home” and this helped Aadil have Pushpinder Singh (15) lbw. 35-3 became 35-4 as Liam Hinchcliffe gave Robyn Bentley (in Amy Gordon’s Surrey Women’s team) no chance of making her ground as Nick Rotsey’s produced a direct hit from deep mid on. Aadil Raza than had to thank a diving catch by Harrison Lewis to dismiss opener Liam Hinchcliffe (11) as Guildford were 39-5 in the 14th over.

A change of bowling saw Steve Cross (5-1-22-0) and Obid Khan into the attack. Obid (18) has a bowling action that is mirrored on Jasprit Bumrah and Obid is certainly quick if a little wayward at times but when his speed and accuracy combine he is difficult to play and was rewarded when a Yorker removed Myles Haarhoff (5) to have Guildford at 47-6.

A brief stand from big hitting Nantes Oosthuizen and Mohan Raja took Guildford to 86 when newcomer Salamat Hussain (5-1-10-1) was introduced into the attack. Leg spinner Salamat has an action mirrored on Shahid Afridi and just like the ex Pakistan Captain Salamat was soon bamboozling the batsman and in his first over he bowled Nantes Oosthuizen (24) to have Guildford 86-7.

86-7 became 86-8 as Obid’s turn next (7-3-15-2) but this time with the help of a brilliant catch by Ollie Harris running towards the boundary and taking the catch coming over his shoulder to dismiss Mohan Raja (10) . Ollie again this time running out Isaac Morse (11) and Guildford were 97-9. Aadil Raza (9.4-1-37-3) finished off the Guildford innings having Ben Myatt (3) caught and bowled. Guildford were all out for 100 in the 35th over leaving the Llamas 65 overs to get 101.

Sam Bell and Fraser McGuinness opened the batting against left armer Ben Myatt (5-0-22-0) and Nantes Oosthuizen (5-4-16-0) and after 10 overs were a risk free 38-0. With the score on 43 Sam Bell (25) was bowled by Callum Mclean (6-1-29-1) and this brought Ant Ireland to join Fraser.

Callum seemed keen to keep Fraser from leaving his crease as he threw the ball back at the stumps. Fraser was also drawing comment for his frequency in checking his guard but kept his concentration and with Ant (34no) being in his usual efficient mode in dismissing anything wide offside to the boundary (7 fours); Fraser (36no) calmly took Reigate to the 101 target in just the 23rd over to claim the 20 points and maintain their 4th place.

Fraser’s keeping display should see him knocking on the door to keep wicket for the 2’s; and the 2’s is doubtless the next step for Batting/Leg Spinner Salamat Hussain.

If anyone sees Obid and Salamat around the Club please introduce yourselves to help them integrate into the Llamas.