All rounder and club coach Clint Berkenshaw was the star of the show on Saturday as he led his side to a comprehensive 8 wicket win in the opening fixture of DSL 9.1 against new side Dubai Rhinos.
Chasing a challenging 187 for victory, the demonstrative right hander grasped his new opening role with aplomb as he blasted 91 form just 55 balls. The innings exemplified what he is all about as he combined a deft touch with some brutal hitting as he smashed a total of seven sixes, one of which resulted in a lost ball - no mean fete on the Sevens!
He shared in a club record second wicket partnership of 148 with 15-year-old Ethan DSouza. The diminutive Dsouza has already shown his class with some fine knocks but his unbeaten 76 from 80 balls oozed class and it was apt that he was at the crease to caress the winning runs through the covers.
Earlier in the afternoon the Wanderers had started their bowling effort very encouragingly and had reduced Rhinos to 60-5. This was in the main thanks to some fine opening spells form Kamran Shaheen (1-33) and Nav Naidoo, who bowled with extreme pace taking two wickets in his opening three overs. He once again returned at the death to bowl two tight overs.
In between, Berkenshaw claimed 2-15 from his five overs, split into two spells , Avi Karia claimed 2-26 and debutant Brannon Varley 1-26.However, Rhinos had put on 80 for the seventh wicket and Wanderers had to dig really deep in the middle overs as the wicket flattened out and the outfield gathered pace. The fielding performance was somewhat rusty in this stage of the game however Berkenshaw claimed tow good catches and Jack Luffman also claimed two, one a spectacular effort at long off after he had misjudged the flight of the ball.
In the end the 186 set by Rhinos was a walk in the park for the Wanderers thanks to that man Berkenshaw - is there anyone better in the UAE?
For full scorecard click here https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/2788092/Wombats-DSL-9-1-Premier-Sevens-Day/Dubai-rhinos-DSL-vs-Dubai-Wanderers-DSL
Clint Berkenshaw claimed the Player of the Match award for his 91 form 55 balls, 2-15 and two catches.
Ethan DSouza was awarded the Wanderer of the Day award for his fine, unbeaten 76.
Comments