Retro Yakking

Of all the matches played in this year’s ICC World Twenty20, none were quite as close as yesterday’s club cricket match which saw Hindley beat Wigan in the Wigan Cricket Development Group Twenty20 Cup.

Needing six to win from the final ball, Richard Neal was the hero for Hindley as he smashed a short ball over deep square leg to snatch victory in the most exciting finish conceivable.

With six overs remaining, Hindley looked to be closing in on victory, keeping up with the run rate at around six and a half an over and with seven wickets in hand. Some tight bowling and good work in the field by Wigan brought about a mini collapse, and by the nineteenth over Hindley were left with twenty to win from twelve balls. This was reduced to fifteen from the last over of the match.

Wigan managed to scramble a run out, but some swift running between the wickets meant Hindley required eight from two balls. A wide and a bye saw the game go down to the very last ball, where only a six could win the game for Hindley.

Richard Neal pulled the ball high in the air on the leg side, and a desperate lunge from the Wigan fielder on the square leg boundary was fruitless as Neal’s effort just had enough on it to go all the way.

The result means that if Hindley beat Orrell on Friday they will proceed to finals day at Leigh Cricket Club this Sunday, July 5. Should they do so, it will cap a successful week for the Roosters, whose 2nd XI won the Surridge Trophy on Sunday.

At Hindley St. Peter’s, 30th June 2009, Hindley Roosters (126-6) beat Wigan Wizards (125-6) by four wickets.

Video of the final ball (apologies for the shakiness)

• More photos and video stills from the match at the Illarterate Photostream at Flickr.

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