History in the short life of Dubai Wanderers Cricket Club was again made on Friday as the team started its competitive fixtures in DSL 9.
While it was not the result the side were looking for, it will certainly go down long in the memory for those that took part and in particular for founding members Jack Luffman, Ash Connick, Clint Berkenshaw and Dave Adams. The latter carrying a short cap ceremony to the 13 man squad prior to the start of play.
After losing the toss, Wanderers were asked to bat first and were disappointed in only being able set the Valley Boyz 127 to win. Wickets fell at regular intervals with only one real partnership of note between 15-year-old Ethan Dsouza and all-rounder Berkenshaw, who top scored with atypically aggressive 42. His younger partner had looked calm and assured for his 25 before being harshly adjudged LBW while sweeping. Skipper Adams, in trying to rebuild the innings, scored 21 from just 16 balls before being run out and the only other batsman to reach double figures was Connick with 12.
Wanderers still knew that they had a chance to win with early wickets the aim and they thought they had the perfect start with a huge LBW appeal first ball of the Valley Boyz’s innings, after vice-captain Nav Naidoo had trapped Ilahi in front – not out was the decision. Despite beating the edge on numerous occasions and some mishit shots finding the gaps, it wasn’t until Sid Jhurani entered the fray with his left arm spin that Wanderers claimed their fist wicket via another stunning catch from Dsouza at backward point.
Jhurani, who has spent the summer in the UK, bowled with accuracy and skill to build some pressure and finally finished with 3-26 from his five overs. Kamran Shaheen bowled quick to claim the other wicket to fall but despite an impressive showing in the filed , Valley Boyz reached their target inside the 20 overs to claim the bonus point.
Despite the defeat spirits remained high and it was Sid Jhurani who claimed the Wanderer of the Day award, sponsored by Hyperama supermarket, for his impressive bowling spell.
For the full match scorecard follow this link https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/2238818/Wombats-DSL-Premier-3A/Dubai-Wanderers-DSL-vs-Valley-Boyz-DSL
Next week DWCC play TCC in match day 2. Saturday 7.30am @ The Sevens.
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