Ram Patel
Cricket is a batting-heavy game in the headlines, but nothing beats the feeling of running through a batting line-up. On 13 July 2024, playing for Overstone Park CC 2nd XI against Carrib United CC, I delivered my best-ever bowling figures.
The Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ram Patel | 3.3 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 3.14 |
4 wickets for just 11 runs in 3.3 overs, including a maiden. An economy rate of 3.14. The off-spin was gripping and turning, and I found a consistent line on off stump that the batters couldn't handle.
All-Round Contribution
Earlier in the match I'd scored 44 runs with the bat, so it was a genuine all-round performance. But it was the bowling that won the game — four wickets in quick succession collapsed the middle order and we never looked back.
The Bowling Journey
2024 was my strongest season with the ball. Across all teams I took 30+ wickets — 14 for Northants U16 at an average of 13.28 and 18 for Overstone Park at 13.77. My county economy was under 4.00 across 48 overs. These figures were the highlight of the lot.
Right-arm off-spin is my secondary skill, but performances like this show it's becoming a genuine weapon. The ability to take wickets in clusters gives my captain options and makes me a more complete cricketer.