Dan’s hat-trick is in a losing cause
Burridge lose remarkable game against Hants Academy
Dan Stancliffe claimed a hattrick for Burridge against the Hampshire Academy – but still finished on the losing side in an incredible Southern Premier League Premier/Division 1 East cup group tie. Stancliffe took 4-20 as the Academy – minus a handful of players who are in Australia’s Ageas Bowl ‘bubble’ – were shot out for just 65 at The Ridge. But that was still enough for victory as Burridge were skittled for 59 – all 20 wickets in the game falling for just 124 runs in 52.5 overs. Only one batsman managed double figures – Academy’s Dom Kelly, who was batting at No 7 – while extras (13) top scored for both teams. Stancliffe’s hat-trick was spread across two overs. With the last ball of his fourth over, he bowled Tom Prest (5). And with the first and second balls of his fifth, he repeated the feat to dismiss Fletcha Middleton (1) and George Metzger (0). With Sullivan White having accounted for Charlie Mumford in between those overs, four wickets had tumbled in the space of nine deliveries. Stancliffe struck again to dismiss Huw Wheeler with Mohammad Abbas (3-22) and Alec Damley-Jones (2-9) mopping up the lower order and tail. Kelly, 15, struck all his runs in boundaries before he was caught on the boundary by Stancliffe trying to hit Abbas for six. Making his first visit to the crease in 2020, Academy skipper James Tomlinson – the sole experienced face in his team – hit six off four balls, which in the final reckoning would be crucial. If Burridge thought victory was theirs for the taking after Stancliffe’s heroics, they soon had a rude awakening as they slumped to 10-3. Kelly dismissed Jack Paskins (1) and Chris Blake (0) with new ball partner Ben Huntley removing Joe Collings-Wells (2). Skipper Hilio De Abreu (8) was one of four batsmen dismissed by Finn Catherwood-Smith (4-11 off seven overs) as Burridge chalked up the lowest score in the Southern Premier League Cup this summer.
The Academy gifted their hosts seven wides, with only two Burridge players scoring more with the bat.
■ St Cross 2nds extended their 100 per cent record in the group to four games with victory over Alton.
They were boosted by the appearance of Felix Organ and Harry Came, who had appeared for Hampshire in their opening four Bob Willis Trophy ties.
Ex-Hampshire player Jason Laney was also included the side that caned Alton by eight wickets.
Michael Heffer- nan (29) and Mark Heffernan (28) top scored as Alton, put into bat, were bowled out for 109. That was never going to be enough against a side with St Cross’ top order, especially after Laney (21) and Steven Hirst (48) had put on 49 for the first wicket.
Came (20 not out) and Organ (18 not out) guided the hosts to a comfortable win – the latter sealing victory with a six.
Came has now played for both St Cross sides in the SPL cup in 2020.
Though that has not broken any competition rules, it does go against the ‘spirit’ of the tournament.
After all, when was the last time two current Hampshire first teamers – in terms of the first-class game – appeared for a recreational club’s 2nd XI?