Cricket Report

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Cricket Report

Saturday's Match

Audlem welcomed their visitors Cheadle CC from the Staffordshire Moorlands with some trepidation as they had been in imperious form for the majority of the season, especially their much vaunted batting line up who often rack up huge totals when taking first knock.

The hosts were also short of four regular star players so the task in hand was a daunting one.

Audlem still had plenty of fire power in their ranks to trouble the visitors and on winning the toss asked Cheadle to bat first on a wicket that had been exposed to the morning's light rain.

The ploy paid off as prolific opening batsman Ashan Shaied who averages over 100 was soon back in the pavilion courtesy of a fine run out by Irfan.

This seemed to unsettle the visitors and galvanise the home team as the fielding was top drawer backing up the probing bowling attack resulting in a steady stream of wickets at regular intervals.

All five bowlers contributed but special mention must be made to Abhijith Jayan who bowled an excellent line and length giving the batsmen no respite to finish his allocation with fine figures of 8 overs 3 maidens 9 runs for 2 wickets.

He was ably backed up by Ron Paul, Simon Swift, Neil Humphries & Dave Parkinson to skittle the visitors for only 63 in the 22nd over.

This small total should have been no problem for Audlem but with the missing players all being early order batsmen some doubt lingered in the minds at the interval.

As it turned out Audlem had few difficulties getting over the line losing just 4 wickets along the way with Dave Parkinson finishing of 19 not out and partner Toby Banfield on 10 not out to complete a comprehensive 6 wicket victory in only the 14th over of the innings.

Sunday's game

Sunday's game at Wistaston was called off as the hosts were unable to field a team.

Next Saturday Audlem are away to Endon whilst the Sunday team are at home to Trent Valley CC

John Wainwright
Audlem Cricket Club