In a world dominated by fast-paced T20 cricket, where quick scoring and aggressive play have become the norm, a recent match in a local Derbyshire cricket league in England provided a stark contrast. The match between Mickleover Cricket Club’s Third Eleven and Darley Abbey Cricket Club’s Fourth Eleven saw a father-son duo take slow batting to an extreme, leaving cricket fans both amused and bewildered.
An Unusual Display of Patience
The match, played in Division 9 South of the Derbyshire County Cricket League, featured some of the slowest batting ever seen in modern cricket. While it wasn’t a high-profile game or even a first-class match, it grabbed headlines for its extraordinary display of patience and defensive technique.
The story centers around Ian Bestwick and his son, Thomas Bestwick, who put on a display of ultra-defensive batting rarely witnessed in any form of cricket. The father-son pair faced a total of 208 balls but managed to score only 4 runs between them. Ian Bestwick, remarkably, remained not out at 0 after facing 137 balls, while his son Thomas scored just 4 runs off 71 balls, all of which came from a single boundary.
The Match That Defied Cricket Norms
The match started on a typical note with Mickleover Cricket Club batting first and posting a competitive 271 for 4 in just 35 overs, thanks to an aggressive innings from Max Thomson. Thomson smashed 186 runs off 128 balls, including 17 fours and 14 sixes, putting his team in a commanding position.
However, the focus quickly shifted when Darley Abbey came in to bat. In what turned out to be an unusual strategy, the team decided to prioritize survival over chasing the target. Ian and Thomas Bestwick anchored the innings with an extremely defensive approach, choosing to block rather than score.
Their approach was so unconventional that the final scorecard showed Darley Abbey scoring just 21 runs in their entire innings, losing four wickets in the process. Despite facing 45 overs, their batting intent was clear: to avoid getting out rather than chasing down the target.
Why Such a Strategy?
So, why did Darley Abbey adopt such a defensive stance? According to Ian Bestwick, the team’s approach was a calculated move to avoid defeat. Speaking to the BBC after the match, Bestwick explained that the team was relatively young and inexperienced. They felt that playing aggressively would increase their chances of losing the game outright, so they decided to play defensively to ensure a draw.
“Our main goal was to not lose,” said Ian Bestwick. “Given the inexperience in our squad, we wanted to ensure we came out of the game with some points rather than risk it all and end up with nothing.”
A Happy Team Despite the Scoreline
Interestingly, despite the snail-paced innings, the atmosphere in the Darley Abbey dressing room was described as celebratory. The players were pleased with their effort, as they successfully executed their plan to draw the match. Even though they only scored 21 runs in 45 overs, the team was satisfied with securing three points from the game.
“The mood in the dressing room was fantastic,” Bestwick added. “It might not have been the most exciting cricket for the fans, but for us, it was about playing smart and sticking to our plan.”
A Cricket Match to Remember
This match may not have made headlines for big scores or thrilling moments, but it will certainly be remembered for the sheer uniqueness of the batting strategy employed. The Bestwicks’ performance is a reminder that cricket, even in its most defensive form, can provide fascinating stories.
As the Derbyshire County Cricket League continues, both Mickleover and Darley Abbey find themselves at the bottom of their division. However, this match has ensured that both teams and especially the Bestwicks, have left a lasting impression on cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
