GB STPC discussion thread

GB Vs NSW​

GB played a strong NSW 2nd XI ahead of their encounter with the formidable batting side of Victoria in the STPC, Luffman was quoted the night before saying, "Though this match is down as a friendly there'll be no mercy shown by either team, especially ourselves as we aim to impress and work our way into the PC"

This was certainly the case as the match got underway with NSW at the crease. The top four were blown away by Vipers pace-man Blunder, who was certainly in need of a big performance after failing to impress in previous GB matches. Farnsworth joined in the fun removing Roberts whilst Blunder claimed his 5fer with the wicket of Read. NSW were in a dismal state at 80-6 and things were not looking up when the score reached 109-9.

Amazingly Spinks and Wilkinson put the batsman to shame as they put on a 57 run stand with Wilkinson being stranded on 26* and Spinks top scoring with 29. Blunder shone with superb figures of 7 for 58.

With 166 runs in the bag the NSW bowlers would have to put on a show. Unfortunately for them it wasn't to be, McGrath scored a superb ton at the top of the order whilst Goodfellow (63), Luffman (84) and Hornby (55) all got nice fifties in support. At 330-4 GB should have been looking at a massive lead but Wilkinson tore the remaining batsman apart and kept GB to 370.

In the second innings Whicker and Farnsworth did the damage taking 9 wickets between them, Whicker with 5. However the NSW batting attack did markedly better with Delonge getting run out on 42 and a big 130 run stand between Fung and Read giving them some respectability as GB had to bat again. Even if the required total was 30.

Knowing all was lost the NSW boys shared the bowling around with everyone getting a chance, however the game was already gone with GB recording a brilliant 10 wicket victory.

After the match Luffman had this to say

"Well that was really brilliant, I'm extremely proud for the boys especially McGrath who recorded his first GB ton and Blunder for his best ever figures. It's been a great few days and now we can really look to push on and destroy the New Zealanders."

With everything that'd happened in mind the team for the Vic game was announced straight after the game had concluded.

GB Vs NZ, Line-up​

1. JE McGrath
2. JP Goodfellow
3. JRE Luffman
4. BL Hornby
5. ND Short
6. SLO Graham
7. C Laing (5)
8. S Smith (4)
9. AP Farnsworth (3)
10. JT Whicker (1)
11. BOY Blunder (2)​

A Laing makes room for Graham who passed his fitness test after a bad case of genital warts.

C Laing also joins the side to give more support in attempt to take down the strong NZ batting attack.