Result
In the first game of the tour, Australia 4 for 174 off 32.3 overs defeated East Anglia 7 for 170 – (compulsory close) off 45 overs

Arrival
The team arrived in England two days ago and enjoyed the Captains Dinner at Delias Restaurant at Norwich Football Club, the home of Norwich Canaries. Following two good warm-up net and training sessions at the very hospitable Norwich CC over the weekend the Aussies were raring to go for their first game on tour.

The Ground
The first game was played at the picturesque Old Buckenham Cricket Club. The club was first established in 1817 and played in various farmer’s fields until the early 1900s when a wealthy Australian multi-millionaire, Lionel Robinson, purchased the land and prepared a regular home ground for the local club. He then went on to promote and organise an unofficial Australia Vs England Test match in 1921. He charged the club an annual rental fee of 1 shilling per year until he passed away in 1922.

Match Report
The Australian Team was invited by the host to bat but politely declined and chose to bowl. After a rusty start with too many wides, Phil Drescher broke through by providing Glen Richardson with a very difficult opportunity in the gully …. a brilliant one handed diving catch and the Australian Team was under way.

Both runs and wickets came consistently with East Anglia scoring 7 for 170 off 45 overs. Single wickets each to Drescher, Kettle, Bennett, Henry, Saker and Lanigan. A reasonable score to chase. Run Rate Required 3.75 per over.

East Anglia opened the bowling with spin and the two Australian openers Gaskell and Richardson set a reasonable pace with 33 off the first 10 overs. However a mini collapse with the loss of Richardson and Wijeratne slowed the innings and our batsmen became a little more introspective. However, within a short period, Gaskell and Harrison became more aggressive and brought up 89 off 20 overs with Gaskell retiring on 50 a few overs later. At the halfway mark (drinks at 23 overs) Australia was 2 for 111, well ahead of the rate required. Harrison, then Lanigan and Drescher accounted for the score after 32.3 overs with the best of the batsmen, Gaskell 50 off 50 balls retired, Richardson 24 off 36, Harrison 46 off 47, Lanigan 18 off 35 and Drescher 19 n.o. off 15.

Neil King
Team Manager – 2017 UK Tour