Draw
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Simmons | Out | 13 | ||||
| Naqash Tahir | Out | 25 | ||||
| Waqas Tahir | Not Out | 101 | ||||
| Paul Shumake | Out | 32 | ||||
| Khalilur Rehman | Not Out | 21 | ||||
| Liam Myers | DNB | |||||
| Phil Wilding | DNB | |||||
| Aamir Tahir | DNB | |||||
| Extras | ||||||
| Bowling | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naqash Tahir | 10.0 | 2 | 39 | 3 | 3.90 | |
| Waqas Tahir | 7.0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 3.00 | |
| Liam Myers | 5.0 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 3.60 | |
| Phil Wilding | 5.0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1.20 | |
| Aamir Tahir | 10.0 | 4 | 17 | 1 | 1.70 | |
| Extras | ||||||
| Fielder | Catches | Run Outs | Stumpings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Simmons | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Naqash Tahir | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Paul Shumake | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Khalilur Rehman | 2 | 0 | 0 |
A hot and sunny day at Sonning saw the Sonning 4th play another good game to extend their good form. Sonning were asked to bat first after having lost the toss. 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.
Steve Simmon and Naqash Tahir opened the innings and started very watchfully and cautiously. After 9 overs the score was 21 but most importantly without the loss of any wicket. When it look liked platform is set for both openers to improve the run rate Steve(13) played one in the air and was caught at square leg. The wicket brought Omar Shabir , playing his first game of the season, to the crease. Omar started aggressively in order to improve the run rate and soon Sonning crossed the 50 run mark. The run rate was still below par and the score was only 71 after 23 overs.
With half of the overs gone Sonning needed some late charge. Sonning lost Omar(25) in 24th over when he played one in the air. This brought captain Waqas Tahir to the crease and in his first over he took 11 runs and set the tone for the rest of the inning. Waqas and Naqash put together 27 runs partnership in 4 overs with Waqas making the most of the runs. Naqash started to up the run rate as well and edged one behind in the process, even though Naqash(25) was sure it bounced before the catch was taken. But with no TV reply available, he sensibly trotted off the pitch. But he had laid a good platform for a late assault.
In came Paul Shumake , playing his first game for the 4th team and started his innings with couple of big edges which still went for four. With the captain on the other side finding boundaries at regular intervals it only needed sensible batting from the other end and he was ably supported by Paul. Soon Waqas reach his 50 with a six over long on. Paul and Waqas put together 88 in just under 10 overs. The main highlight of their innings was running between the wickets and some big hitting.
After Paul’s(32) wicket Jegan(2) came and went in order to up the rate. This brought Khalilur Rehman(21*) to the crease and he and Waqas scored at brisk pace with some lusty blows and excellent running. Converting 1 run into 2s and 2s into 3s. The pair added 57 runs in just 6 over with Waqas reaching a well-deserved century in the last over from only 63 balls. And Sonning had scored staggering 178 in last 22 overs.
After the usual splendid Sonning tea, Naqash Tahir and Phil Wilding opened the bowling and it was soon clear that the way team is only playing for a draw. Naqash took first couple of wickets with one a beautiful inswinger. The away team kept loosing wickets at regular intervals with Aamir Tahir continuing his form from last week and bowling an excellent spell of 10-4-17-1. Liam Myers, another product of the club’s junior set up, came in and bowled an excellent and probing spell. He was unlucky not to take any wicket as the balls kept missing edges.
Vivek Vasist, another debutant, made couple of early breakthroughs in a tidy and penetrating spell. His finished with 7-1-13-3. Captain Waqas brought himself on to take quick wickets as Sonning still needed 5 wicket in last 15 overs. He took two quick wickets and soon Sonning only needed 2 wickets from the last 10 overs. Every bowler tried his best but couldn’t break the resistance of the away team opener who batted for whole 45 overs. Their last wicket survived for last 6 overs and match ended in a draw. It was a disappointing result but nevertheless a good performance from everybody. Our fielding was excellent with Naqash taking a brilliant catch and Khalil Rehman taking couple of good catches and saving many runs with his athletic fielding.
Overall it was good performance, new debutants Paul, Liam and Vivek gave a good account for themselves and of course a maiden century for the captain.
