CARTER CUP & NACO CUP COMPETITIONS 2015 – Sunday 9 August 2015
A glorious sunny day saw Norwich beat Swardeston in the Final of the 2015 Carter Cup at a well-attended Manor Park, Horsford.
Norwich won the toss and decided to bat and after the opening few overs Ashley Watson’s decision seemed to the correct one.
For Norwich Pointer and Ollie Higenbotham put on 118 for the 1st wicket before Pointer fell off the bowling of Thelwell for 46. Higenbotham and Mishra continued to take the fight to Swardeston before Mishra was caught by Tufts off the bowling of Wajihuddin for 63. At lunch, Norwich were 173 for 1 off 38 overs and they continued in good form before losing two wickets on 239, Higenbotham finally being bowled Wajihuddin for 94, falling 6 runs short of what would have been a richly deserved century.
Some big hitting in the final few overs by Borrett (26) and Hutchinson (27) finally saw Norwich through to a formidable 335 for 7 wickets off there allocated 60 Overs.
Swardeston made an inauspicious start losing opener Freddie Ruffells with only eight on the board, but the best was to come and the spectators present saw a marvellous innings of 125 from Swardeston skipper Mohammad Wajihuddin which would have graced the international arena. His shot selection was terrific and along with spirited knocks from Alec Levinson (35) and Ben Shearing (30); was this going to be the twist in the tail for this Carter’s Cup showpiece.
Sadly not as Wajuihuddin in going for another big hit off Pointer was brilliantly caught on the long off boundary by Jamie Mirner. At this point the game look dead and buried but Ben Hogg (17) and Cooper (13) took the fight again to Norwich only for their innings to finish on 290 all out with just over three overs left.
A brilliant day’s cricket with fine performances by both finalists doing the Carter Cup in its 47th year full justice.
There were several possible choices for man of the match including Higenbotham for his solid 94 runs in the Norwich innings, Mirners brilliant catch, Pointers 3 for 57 but in summing up the days play, ECB representative Nick Cousins justifiably awarded the title to the brilliant Mohammed Wajihuddin for his outstanding innings of 125, backed up by bowling figures of 4 for 73 and an excellent catch of Thelwells bowling.
The day produced a terrific 625 runs the highest ever aggregate in a Carter final and players and representatives from both sides can be justly proud of their on field efforts. The 2015 Carter Cup can be remembered for all the good things in cricket and will be eagerly anticipated once the 2016 season gets underway.
We now move on to next week’s competition the Carter NACO Cup which will be played between Horsford and Stow at Great Witchingham – 12 noon start.
Highlights from the Carter Cup:
Man of the Match: Mohammad Wajihuddin (Swardeston) – 125 and 4 for 73.
Ollie Higenbotham (Norwich) 94
S Mishra (Norwich) 63
S Pointer (Norwich) 46 & 3 for 57
A Levinson (Swardeston) 35
Norwich 1st wicket 118
Norwich 2nd wicket 114
Swardeston 6th wicket 96
Match Aggregate 625 runs
Umpires: Ian Lovick & Mike Spenceley