It was the captaincy debut for Aiden Jones in an adult cricket match and he managed the match and the team brilliantly. Here is his report of the match.

Newdigate 2nd XI travelled to Mickleham, playing at the picturesque Box Hill School ground. On what appeared to be a good, dry wicket, Mickleham won the toss and chose to field first.

Dan Jones (38) and Rob Goldsmith (6) opened the batting for Newdigate. The wicket displayed some life throughout the match, with uneven bounce that tested both the batters and the wicketkeeper. Mickleham’s bowlers, Kevin (22-3) and Michel (9-1), exploited these conditions, making early breakthroughs and putting Newdigate’s top order under pressure. Despite this, Jones and Shahaiar Sami managed to steady the innings with some solid shots, adding crucial runs.

Following Jones’ departure, the middle order, including Abdur Rob (26), contributed positively, helping Newdigate reach a total of 133, a respectable score on a challenging wicket. Jacob Mumford also showed great determination in the lower order, further boosting the score.

In response, Newdigate’s Toby Ball (20-0) and Aiden Jones (21-2) opened the bowling. Toby Ball used pace and bounce to seek an early breakthrough, while Aiden Jones’s control made it difficult for batters to score freely. Despite efforts from Ollie (55) and Michel (38) to counter the early pressure, Newdigate’s debutants, Abdur Rob (19-1) and Abdul Sufan (15-2), delivered strong performances, taking crucial wickets. Dan Jones also secured a well-earned wicket after a spell where the batters struggled to score off him in the latter stages of the game.

Despite Newdigate’s efforts, Mickleham gradually gained momentum and chased down the target, finishing at 134-6.

The game was played in great spirit between the two teams. While the result didn’t favour Newdigate, there were notable performances from all involved. With these insights, Newdigate will be well-positioned to build on their strengths and tackle future matches.