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Bucks maintained their poor recent one-day record when they lost by 69 runs to Wales MC in the Minor Counties Trophy at Brymbo on Sunday. With their first two matches in the competition - against Dorset and Berkshire - washed out, it was important that Bucks won to maintain their chance of qualifying for the final stages. However, a failure at the top of the batting order - an all too familiar occurrence last season - put paid to that as they made only 154 all out in response to Wales 50-overs total of 223-7. Winning the toss, Bucks chose to bowl first and picked up two wickets courtesy of Tring Park's Chesham-raised seamer Tom Helm. The Bucks attack kept their opponents in check for much of the innings but a late assault from Andrew Salter, whose unbeaten 51 came off 33 balls, gave Bucks a testing target. Former Northants opener Mal Loye last just four balls and Bucks opener Hamza Taj also went cheaply. Bucks were held together by a brilliant innings of 83 by High Wycombe wicket-keeper David Cranfield-Thompson, promoted to No 3 after excellent performances down the order last season. However, he received no support, as not one of the other top seven Bucks batsmen made it to double figures. Cranfield-Thompson was eighth out at 136, having made 83 off 130 balls with four fours and six sixes. The Bucks resistance did not last much longer. Bucks' final group game is against Staffordshire at Marlow on Sunday, May 20. |
