On Sunday Reed travelled through the rain to play Datchworth in the 3rd round of the Davidstow National Village Cup.
Reed won the toss and decided to bowl in the soggy conditions. Openers Tom Walsingham and the bulky Jack Tidey were struggling to get through their actions as they battled against the wet pitch. Tidey in particular was uncharacteristically wayward and was soon replaced by the part time medium pace of Alex Mutucumarana.
Mitchell Cooper replaced Tom Walsingham and instantly made an impact taking the first wicket with the score on 57. Cooper was to end up with 3-10 in 4.3 overs, impressive, however the history books were about to be re-written at the other end.
After 3.3 overs Mutucumarana had figures of 0-8 but what was to follow was nothing short of incredible. The efficient line and length bowling of Mutucumarana has never been his key attribute, with his runs at the top of the order being his most identifiable characteristic on the cricket field but he soon got into his stride and picked up his first wicket with he fourth ball of his fourth over after a good catch at gully by Tom Greaves. After slinging down a wide ball, Mutucumarana then took the wicket of Benton. Stroomer got off the mark with a 2 but was to be the next victim for the exuberant Mutucumarana with the last ball of the over. 3-10 from 4 overs.
He returned, for the start of one of the most breathtaking overs in the history of the club. Mutucumarana, sauntering in, nipped one away off the pitch and hit Barrlett smack, bang in front of the stumps to collect his 4th wicket of the game.
Another Datchworth batsmen, Nash, stumbled in and faced up to the rampant Mutucumarana for the hat trick ball. A full delivery, nipped away and took the top of off stump to complete the 5fer, bowled.
Mutucumarana wasn’t done there though. Like a lamb to the slaughter, Wallace came to the middle and he too departed first ball, again bowled. 4 wickets in 4 balls. Remarkable.
As the number 10, Fisher, strode to the crease, Mutucumarana was fuelled with adrenaline and confidence . He ran in and bowled another full delivery which was simply chipped to mid wicket for a regulation catch for the reliable Stuart Smith – 5 wickets in 5 balls. Unbelievable. 6 wickets in 7 balls. Mind-blowing . 7 wickets in 9 balls. Unimaginable. A superb effort from the 35 year old.
From 57-0 to 63 all out. Scenes that will not be recreated for an extremely long time.
Mutucumarana led the team off, leaving Reed a paltry 64 to win.
Sean Tidey and James Heslam opened up and played the strokes from ball 1. Both fell with the score in the 40’s before Chris Jackson and Tom Greaves steered Reed over the winning line in 10 overs.
The day was to belong to Mutucumarana. A fantastic achievement that will be remembered and talked about by both sets of players and supporters for years to come.
