Sonning Innings
for ( Overs)
Match Report
A really humid day at Boyne Hill saw the Sonning 3rd emerge with their third win of the season. Sonning lost the toss and the opposition decided to bat first. The wicket looked to have too much grass on it, but in actual fact played well throughout the game, allowing the batsmen to play their shots with confidence but offering the bowlers just enough to keep them interested.
Phil Wilding took the new ball and immediately started to probe the corridor of uncertainty, and in tandem with Ahasan Hameed set the tone with a very tidy opening spell. Ahsan was unlucky on few occasions and could’ve got easily got couple of wickets on another day. Phil on other end was economical as ever finishing his spell with the figures of 5-1-6-0.
Captain Waqas brought himself on with Aamir Tahir from the other end and they both kept the pressure on by bowling tightly and miserly. Captain taking the first wicket catching on his own bowling and soon followed up with another one when the batsmen played one in the air to the covers. Indy soon got the settled batsmen run out with an accurate throw from the square leg. Naqash Tahir and Indy Sahota were introduced as the batsmen started to get settled. Opposition took liking to Naqash’s gentle offies and were taken for few runs before the batsmen hit one high towards midwicket boundary where Indy held on to a very good catch. Indy on other end was bowling where he left off last week with a tight and probing line. He was rewarded with a wicket for his efforts. Naqash finished his spell with 2 wickets.
There was some late charge from the opposition but Sonning always had the game under control. Captain brought young Taylor Christopher, playing his first senior game, in the 35th over. He bowled with accuracy and pace and the batsmen found it hard to get him away. It was his first senior outing but he handled himself really well and he finished with 2 wickets. In all this Amir came for his second spell and took two late wickets. In reality one wicket should really belong to Jamie Travers for taking an extremely difficult reaction catch. Fielding at slip to Aamir’s fast off spin is never easy especially when the batsmen is trying to cut. It was one of the best catch of the season so far.
Boyne Hill finished on 150 all out in 46 overs. Special mention to Nick Ray for taking 2 catches behind the stumps and keeping things very tidy – not conceding any byes. Indy and Taylor were also very good in the field and provided good support to the bowlers.
After the tea, Naqash and Ali Driver opened the inngs. Ali played couple of lovely strokes but fell to a leading edge to the square leg. Naqash fresh from his 128* last week started where he left off his last inning. Taking on the bowlers from the first ball and hitting couple lusty blows in the first over. Opposition missed a trick by dropping him couple of times early on when he was in his 20s. After the fall of the first wicket captain came in to the crease and he was given reprieve straight away. A hook shot went high to the square leg where the fielder couldn’t held on to a difficult chance.
Naqash soon reached his 50 in no time and Sonning had halved the target inside 14 overs. With Naqash finding boundaries at regular intervals it only needed sensible batting from the other end and he was ably supported by the captain. Their partnership soon crossed 100 and the victory was in sight. Naqash was getting close to his 100 but the target was getting close too. In end Naqash needed 10 runs to get to his 100 and team needing 9 to win. Naqash could only manage 9 runs and was left stranded on 99 (it seemed at that time). After checking the scorebook it was noticed that 5 overthrows was wrongly awarded to the captain so the score was adjusted and Naqash ended up 104* - consecutive centuries for him. Sonning chased down the target with one wicket down in the 26th over.
Overall it was again a very good batting performance and bowlers did very well on a batting wicket. Our bowling, batting and fielding were top class. An excellent debut game for young Taylor who bowled really well. Well done to Naqash for the man of match performance one again.
