CRICKET: Blowers backing for Lashings clash (From thisisoxfordshire)

CRICKET: Blowers backing for Lashings clash

10:00am Wednesday 11th July 2012 in Sport By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

LASHINGS’ Oxford double-header survived the weekend rain, but they did not spare their opponents two hefty beatings.

Magdalen College School hosted the renowned side of former internationals on Sunday, but had to move the Twenty20 matches to the nearby Christ Church ground due to the wet weather.

Lashings, who are captained by MCS cricket professional Phil DeFreitas, hammered the school’s first team by 119 runs in the morning then saw off the John Crawley XI by 86 runs.

The voice of the BBC’s Test Match Special, Henry Blofeld, who commentated on the games with Lashings player Henry Olonga, gave the day a big thumbs up.

“My dar old thing, it was a terrific day,” said Blofeld, who is affectionately known as Blowers.

“And I have to say it was brilliantly organised.

“It was terrific for everyone involved and hopefully raised lots of money for Helen & Douglas House.”

Lashings’ star line-up included West Indies duo Courtney Walsh and Gordon Greenidge plus Pakistani spinner and ex-England bowling coach Mushstaq Ahmed.

Blofeld’s backing for MCS was echoed by David Folb, the impresario behind the Lashings team.

“I can’t praise the school highly enough for the way they looked after us all,” Folb said.

“We were absolutely blown away by the hospitality and I have to give top marks to John Crawley and all the team here.”

Lashings, as is traditional, batted first both times and in the opening game Australian Ian Harvey smashed an unbeaten 113 in their 190-2.

New Zealander Lou Vincent, star of Sky’s Cricket AM show, added 53 and the school XI subsided to 71 all out in reply.

A John Crawley XI made a slightly better fist of the second game, even if Lashings compiled 202 in their 20 overs, Pakistan’s Imran Nazir hitting 69.

Crawley’s side scored 116-8 in their reply.