Whisker admits team were fortunate to escape with Great Baddow draw

It’s not often cricket captains are thankful to see the hevaens open, but Goresbrook’s Kurt Whisker felt that way after his side drew with Mid-Essex League Premier Division rivals Great Baddow.

Goresbrook batted first, but had been dismissed for 126, leaving Baddow with a very manageable task for victory.

But with the visitors just 24 runs short of their target, the rain came, much to the delight of Whisker.

“Nobody here is pretending we were anything other than lucky and we have to ensure that the batting display was a one-off,” he said.

“Maybe some of the lads have watched England turn over a new leaf to play ultra-aggressively and decided that’s the way forward, but whatever the reason, our execution was well short of the mark.

“At least half of the batsmen basically gave their wicket away. If that happens again it’s time to make a few changes.”

There was little sign of the carnage to follow when Goresbrook started their innings, with openers Whisker and Craig Irving able to punish loose bowling to move the team to 33 without loss.

But once the home skipper departed, the Baddow attack began to run riot as Goresbrook slumped to 76-7 thanks to a mixture of good bowling and daft shot selection.

Kane Messenger top scored with 33 and shared an important eighth wicket partnership with Israel Ochwo, whose patient 13 took up time that would prove critical later in the match.

After finishing off the tail, Baddow had 10 overs to bat before tea and Ochwo took a crucial early wicket.

But Baddow recovered and, despite Shane Barwick taking a further two wickets, looked well on course for victory.

Thankfully for Goresbrook, that was when the rain began to fall as they escaped from the match with seven points for their efforts.

Brook visit Hatfield Peverel on Saturday.