Cricket Malpas Sunday X1 v Audlem

Audlem once again held their nerve to record a 10 run victory over their old adversaries from Malpas. Audlem set their hosts a stiff challenge by putting 176 for 5 on the board off their allotted overs on a wicket that had been exposed to some heavy rain the previous evening. The captains agreed to adjust the length of the game due to the storms that were forecast in the region later in the afternoon and the game was reduced to 35 overs per team.

The visitor's bowling attack was under immediate pressure from big hitting M.Parry ( 52 not out ) who found a willing partner in W. David ( 32 ) in an attempt to win the game in quick time and last week's bowling hero, Richard Irvine was singled out for some savage treatment before being removed from the front line. His opening partner, Connor Howard fared much better managing to hold onto his line and length to record excellent figures yet again bowling his 7 over allocation for an admirable 19 runs and capturing 2 wickets in the process. With M.Parry retiring not out on reaching his half century it was left to T. Jacks ( 29 ) to keep the score moving at the required rate but Audlem had another trick up their sleeve when they introduced their 'mystery spinner' into the fray .Imran Manzoor had been signed up the previous evening on the back of being spotted playing 'tapeball' by one of the team's regulars on the Keele University sport's field where Imran studies law. His introduction into the attack cause mayhem and bewilderment in the batting ranks as he was a left arm leg spinner commonly known in cricketing terms as a Chinaman bowler. The prodigious turn and looping flight was too much for the bemused batsmen and often the wicketkeeper and close fielders but his figures of 6 overs 1 maiden 4 wickets for just 10 runs tell the story and the game was virtually in the bag.

Young Jake Topping & Usman Ghani bowled excellent spells in the difficult middle overs to hold back the run rate but again a special mention for 12 year old Ruben Irvine who restored family honour with a miserly stint at the death.

Earlier in the day Audlem's batsmen got off to a great start with Irfan Sheik ( 52 Retired not out ) stroking a chanceless half century to record his first 50 for the club and Jake Topping in the unfamiliar role as opener with a fluent 36 to put on 91 for the first wicket. Valuable contributions also came from Usman Ghani ( 29 not out ), Dave Parkinson (18 ) & skipper, Ollie Banfield with 14 as the visitors set a useful 176 which ultimately proved to be just enough on the day.

A big thank you to Malpas for their hospitality and sportsmanship throughout the afternoon and we look forward to the return fixture at the Gorse Croft. Next Sunday Audlem play hosts to Grasshoppers who area team comprising of cricketers from various clubs throughout the county of Shropshire with an earlier start time of 12.00pm designated.

The full scorecard of all the weekend games can be viewed on audlem.play-cricket.com

John Wainwright

Audlem Cricket Club