“TW Challenge games are awesome because there’s no limit on balls faced — batsmen don’t have to retire,” Langford said.
“I watched the ball more closely on to the bat today but I was most happy with the fact that I didn’t get out.”
Ts captain Sebastian Wilson (3 not out) was at the wicket when Langford’s cover drive off the fifth ball of the 12th over brought the winning runs.
“Gareth’s innings was crazy,” Wilson said.
“He capitalised on the high bounce of the artificial wicket and played the pull-shot and cut-shot exceptionally well. He put a high value on his wicket and showed the good ball more respect.”
The Ws won the toss and were bowled out for 101 in 25 overs, second-drop Henry Watson (24) and co-captain Peter Reynolds (20) playing their two best innings of the season.
Reynolds was classy while Watson’s was an innings of character from a committed, hard-working young cricketer.
Wilson (3-11 off five overs), Noah Torrance-Cribb (2-18 off five) and Bekko Page (2-34 off six) bowled well for the Ts.
John Broad produced a classic yorker with the second ball of his first over to claim the wicket of Newman.
Newman’s 14 off 18 balls was a very good knock. He was patient, hit the bad ball for four and ran hard between wickets.
But Broad’s magic moment in what was a tough innings in the field for the Ws highlighted an important point: no matter the level of competition, age of the players or context of the match, bowlers who bowl well earn their wickets — to retire batsmen is anathema in all cricket.
