Merton CC (Boars) paid their annual visit to Newdigate on the 10th May 2026 to be hosted by Newdigate CC’s Sunday XI.
Cloudy sky, generous grass on the pitch, a prediction of a passing shower, previous days history on the same pitch prompted Newdigate captain to invite Merton to bat first after winning the toss on a 40 overs match.
Paul Parmenter (15 off 45) started with caution with Richard Milleineaux (26 off 25) who kept the runs coming. Sujanan Romalo Joseph (19) and Richard Ackerman (51 not out) kept a steady run-rate of @3+. Merton innings was 82/2 at the drinks break on the 20th over.
With wickets in hand deep into the innings, Merton were able to push on late, turning what looked like a par score into something more challenging on a slow surface. Newdigate’s bowlers kept things tight for long periods but to make proceedings difficult for them, the passing shower turned into a drizzle that lasted for 4 hours. The ball turned into a bar of soap, catches were spilled, boundaries were let as fingers turned numb. And then came Srivatsa Govindarajan at the crease who muscled the ball everywhere in the park, delivered a quick-fired 58 of 38 balls (7 boundaries and 3 sixes). Merton put together a composed and controlled 179 for 3 from their full 40 overs. Their top order anchored the innings with discipline, refusing to give chances and steadily accumulating.
Newdigate’s bowling star was Ian Kehl who returned 15/1 off his 7 overs, ably aided by Mohammad Ali 27/1 off 7 and Steve Edwards 37/1 off 7 overs. The others bowled economically.

Newdigate’s chase followed the same script as Merton, unbelievably similar, so similar that Newdigate also managed to score 83/2 off the first 20 overs. David Callcut (26 off 39) tried to keep up with the momentum while Jagadeesh Subbiah (58 of 89 balls) anchored. As regular wickets prevented any sustained momentum, Redwan Ahmed (27 off 26 balls) and Mohammad Ali (19 off 23) tried to fill in the deficit created by a huge number of dot balls bowled by Merton. The innings never fully stalled, but it never truly caught fire either.
Merton opening bowlers bowled accurately. John Smither’s figure of 34/2 off a non-stop 8 over long spell gave the visitors a great start. David Floyd 18 off 6 overs complemented him nicely. When the bowling trio of Joe Gunewardena (28/2 off 8), Sujanan Romal Joseph (6/2 off 2 overs) and Srivatsa Govindarajan (29/1 off 8 overs) were introduced, Newdigate had a required run-rate over 7; and the bowlers had a wicket-fest with wicket to wicket bowling – you miss, I hit.
Merton’s bowlers tightened the screws expertly in the final third of the innings, forcing Newdigate to take risks that led to further dismissals. Despite reaching 166 for 8, the hosts ran out of overs — and ultimately fell 13 runs short. Newdigate will also rue on the fact that the side let 83 dot balls, more than 13 overs of dot balls most of which came at the early part of the innings – an improvement area for the future matches.