After a truncated 2020 cricket season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the new cricket season was welcomed back with open arms in the past week, with a lot of success for Bedford Cricket Club.
Last season’s Bedfordshire County Cricket League was unilaterally cancelled, but Bedford’s two sides welcomed Season 2021 in with two victories on Sunday afternoon.
Manvir Chauhan – making his competitive comeback after four years – stamped his authority at Dunstable’s Lancot Park with 5-20 as the Sunday 1st XI skittled Dunstable for 124 in Division Two.
The chase was anchored by Jonny Dove’s 68, as Bedford cruised home with a little under 15 overs remaining, as they attempt to get back to Division One at the first time of asking.
The 2nd XI were also in action against Dunstable’s 3rd XI at The Bury and also completed a comfortable win, by 62 runs, in Division Five.
All of the batsmen contributed to the grind in a Bedford total of 193-6 before the bowlers got to work; most notably youngster Thomas Nicol – making his 2nd XI debut – in securing figures of 3-27 in a Dunstable total of 131.
On the other hand, the Saturday XI – who fell in the semi-finals of the Northamptonshire League knockouts last season – have endured a frustrating start to their season.
Saturday’s game against Weekly and Warkton was a washout, along with every game in the other fourteen divisions in one of the nation’s largest league structures, after falling to Kettering CC by 88 runs in last week’s first round.
The Under-15’s have also started well, with a dominant victory over Harrold on Thursday evening.
Harrold batted first, amassing only 73-4 in their 16 overs, with Akshat Buddineni securing 2-5 with Thomas Jenkins also in the wickets column.
Buddineni also scored 20 in the chase, which was set well on its way thanks to an unbeaten 33 from Fred Dickson as Bedford won by 8 wickets.
The Under 13’s went even better, beating Blunham by a massive 124 runs on Tuesday evening with unbeaten thirties for Mustafa Mughal and Adam Naseem in a total of 155.
Alfie James and Noah Silk both gained three wickets as Blunham were bowled out for 31.
The games come thick and fast, with the Saturday XI looking to get in the winner’s enclosure next weekend as they host MK Air CC at The Bury on Church Lane.
The Sunday 1st XI host nearby rivals Kempston Hammers while the 2nd XI travel to Caddington in the Bedfordshire County Cricket League.
Tom Carr is a player and umpire for Bedford Cricket Club
