Mighty Max Takes 5 in 5

Brooklands Third XI made the long journey to Langley CC in the Cheshire Cricket League - Division B East for a game that will only be remembered for one thing.

Langley won the toss and elected to bat first. A wicket maiden followed by a double wicket maiden for skipper Andy Batty (3-27 off 7 overs) ensured the away side got off to a flying start with the home team finding themselves 36-3 from just 6 overs.

Langley opener Hughes saw off one of the Brooklands opening bowlers early, as he looked comfortable at the crease on his way to 85 not out but soon wished he hadn’t as this brought 15-year-old Max Yarwood to partner Batty in the attack.

Yarwood, playing his first season of senior cricket started steadily with only 14 runs coming from his first 3 overs, however, it was his 4th over and the innings 12th over that saw the game come alive.

With the first ball of the over Yarwood clean bowled Curtin, who had started to look settled. With the second ball of the over, he rattled the pads of Srivastava and the lbw appeal from Max and the team was given. The third ball of the over, the hat-trick ball, saw the team rise in unison again with a lbw appeal, the umpire raised his finger and the away team went delirious in celebration.

A hat-trick for a 15-year-old in their first season of senior cricket is a remarkable achievement but Yarwood was not finished yet.

The fourth ball of the over was full and accurate enough to rattle the stumps of Spencer and one could only wonder what was going through the mind of Langley’s Whiskard when he took strike to face the fifth ball of the over, only to make his way back to the Pavilion as another full and straight delivery clattered into his stumps.

Credit must be given to Langley’s tail ender, Laughton who managed to dig out a straight Yorker that was destined for middle stump to end the over.

61-3 became 61-8 in what can only be described as a devastating display of fast bowling from a young man who undoubtedly has a long career ahead of him, finishing with figures of 5-15 off just 5 overs.

With little choice left, Hughes began to tee-off before Max Mitchell (1-23 off 4 overs) and Ben Myddleton (1-20 off 5 overs) finished the innings off after just 24 overs.

The 112 set for The Bears was chased down within with the loss of just two wickets giving the Brooklands all 25 points.