With one week of the season to go, Sidley 1st XI retained a narrow lead at the top of their division of the Sussex Cricket League after a thrilling home win against Kerala Strikers 1st XI. Having lost the toss and been asked to bat by the visitors, Sidley relied heavily on Paul Johnson (61) to occupy the crease and steadily build a challenging target against a variable Strikers’ attack, which gifted Sidley 45 extras. Johnson was ably aided by captain Steve Ramsden (28) and Josh Bull (21 n.o.).
Opener Vinu James set about chasing the Sidley total in aggressive fashion, hitting eight 4s in his 41. Wickets then fell steadily and Kerala Strikers soon found themselves 95-5, heading for almost certain defeat. However, captain Edwin Jose Paul (35) and Binu Thomas (32) then started attacking the bowling in cavalier style and soon took the score to 153-6. The Sidley players and spectators were resigning themselves to defeat, when Steve Ramsden returned to bowl and, much to everyone’s amazement, with immediate and dramatic effect swung the game back in the home team’s favour by taking 5-33 (including three wickets in one over), to snatch a thrilling victory.
After wins in their two previous matches, Sidley 2nd XI fell to a heavy away defeat against Crowhurst Park’s 4th XI. Crowhurst set a massive target of 270-6, thanks to the powerful hitting of Ivan Flanagan, whose innings of 145 n.o. contained thirteen 4s and twelve 6s. In reply, only Harry Little (43) and Paul Oxborrow (22) managed to make any impact with the bat, as Sidley succumbed to the wily spin bowling of Michael Hambridge (4-28), managing a final total of only 93.
No comments:
Post a Comment