THURSLEY Cricket Club, fresh from their successful Surrey Visually Impaired fixture, will take on Lashings All Stars on Sunday, September 4.

Lashings members, including Test Match Special’s Henry Blofeld, were there to support Thursley’s annual fixture against a Surrey Visually Impaired side.

This was ?a T20 game, played nine-a-side. The Thursley players, now well accustomed to this form of the game, wore simulation spectacles which had various different types of impairment from tunnel vision to cloudy to full blindfolds.

For players with total sight loss, the ball (mini football size containing ball bearings) has to bounce twice on its way to the batsman. For others, once is enough. If players with total impairment score runs (they have a runner) then the runs count double.

Thursley batted first, with Henry Blofeld providing the commentary, and scored a handy 155 in their 20 overs, with four batsmen retiring on 20.

Surrey VI batted steadily in reply, keeping wickets in hand and scoring mainly in singles while Thursley were using their less impaired bowlers. Once the host side brought on the totally impaired bowlers, the run-rate rocketed, with one over going for 35, including 18 wides.

Surrey seemed out of it when they needed 42 from the last two overs, but Darren Paddick, who has the top-level impairment, smashed the ball all over the place, hitting two sixes which counted as 12 each).

He became stranded at the non-striker’s end in the last over, but more wides took it to the last ball, with Surrey needing two for the win and one for the tie.

Storme Dunford blasted a four through midwicket to seal an exciting win for Surrey VI who thus kept their unbeaten run going.

Thursley’s Lashings day on September 4 is rapidly taking shape.

From 11am to noon, there will be an accademy for under-18s with the Lashings stars. No charge, but Thursley would welcome donations.

A three-course lunch with wine in the marquee with the Lashings players and Henry Blofeld will take place from noon to 3pm. Lashings will organise the entertainment and fund-raising.

The T20 match between Thursley and Lashings will start at 4pm, finishing at approximately 7pm.

Other attractions will be a barbecue, bouncy castle, tea stall, bar, bowling simulator and Lashings merchandise stall.

Admission for spectators is free, but again Thursley would appreciate a donation.

Lashings always bring star-studded teams for these fixtures. Last month, Odiham & Greywell found themselves playing against legendary names such as Gordon Greenidge, John Emburey, Monty Panesar, Phil DeFreitas and Herschelle Gibbs.

A table for ten in the marquee is priced at £250 – £25 per head. Thursley CC spokesman Steve Fuller advises people to book early. He said: “It would be a great way for companies to entertain customers on a weekend or for staff to be rewarded for good performance.” Steve Fuller can be emailed at [email protected] or ring 07706 466912.