17th July 2021

Hants County Div 1

A magnificent137 by Dan Bailey set up Sway for their 10th win on the spin, with his astonishing hitting spree seeing him bludgeon 87 of his runs off his last 34 balls.

Sway had set a platform at 130-5 when Oscar Marshall was out for 27 in the 31st over, and ‘skipper Tim Noble sent out Hugh Bernard to join Bailey – who by that time had brought up his fifty off 77 balls – with the instruction the two had to ‘get on with it’.

What happened next was simply awesome as Bernard smacked four massive sixes in blazing his way to 37 off 14 balls before Bailey took apart the visiting Portsmouth attack, hammering 11 sixes – which included him hitting three maximums in a row three times.

The pair brought up their 100 partnership in just 42 balls and by the end Bailey had players from both sides in awe before being out the last ball of the innings for 137 off 111 balls, as Sway posted an unassailable 267-5 off their 40 overs. That included an excellent early contribution from Will Crossley (24) as he stewarded Sway through an early difficult spell – the home side having been 4-2 at one stage.

In reply, Sway fared well with the ball, as Steadman (2-20) and Jonathan Waller (1-25), reduced the visitors to 15-3. There was stubborn resistance from Dan Wallis and Indy Chakrabati, the pair batting nicely before Josh Bailey (2-35) got the latter and the decent looking Nicky Wyatt for 25.

As Sway searched for maximum points, Noble introduced Jon Grasham and his very fiery spell brought instant reward as he shot out Wallis for a good 48 on his way to returning an excellent 3-13, while Bernard (1-14) got a scalp.

Fittingly, the final word of the day went to that man Dan Bailey – who produced a terrific direct hit to claim the last wicket.