Dubai Wanderers first team returned to winning ways with a dominant display over league rivals Mideast Metals on Saturday at The Sevens Ground. Returning skipper, Dave Adams lost the toss and Mideast decided to bat first. It was pretty much all downhill for the opposition from then on as The Wanderers clearly had the bit between their teeth following last week’s narrow loss.
The Wanderers set about their work straight away with Kamran Shaheen continuing his fine form with the ball and picking up three early wickets leaving Mideast reeling at 40-4 after the power play. The Wanderers continued to apply the pressure with Dan Pawson (2-21) taking two crucial wickets including the dangerous Ali Anwar (27). Clint Berkenshaw and Avi Karia picked up a wicket a piece however it was Ben Quirk who was the pick of the bowlers. The tall, quick bowler taking 3-20 from his four overs, demonstrating great skill to polish off the tail as Mideast were bowled out for 125 from 23 overs.
Pawson also took three fine catches, with Caleb Maclaren taking a sharp effort on the boundary in what was arguably The Wanderers best display so far in the outfield this season.
Openers Jack Luffman and Berkenshaw set out the Wanderers reply knowing the job was only half done. The pair took the initiative straight away, looking to be aggressive and putting the Metals' opening bowlers under pressure with a flurry of early boundaries. The pressure told quickly as the Metals bowlers lost their radar and aided the chase with 23 extras. Luffman was first to his fifty and ended up with an eye-catching 52* from 46 balls, Berkenshaw was also back to his destructive best with 51* from 43 balls including 3 towering sixes.
The Wanderers raced to the total in just 14.3 overs completing a comprehensive 10 wicket victory. Adams' men will be looking to make it two from two next Saturday at The Malek Oval, Ajman when they face the Dubai Lions.
The second team, led by stand- in skipper Avi Karia, included three league debutants as they faced top of the table Jazba CA on Sunday afternoon at the Sevens Ground.
Karia won the toss and elected to bat first and The Wanderers batsmen got off to a solid start with Thinus Steyn and Qais Nawaz putting on 57 for the first wicket. Steyn (17) departed straight after the power play but Qais continued to keep the scoreboard ticking with a stylish 60 from 53 balls including seven boundaries and a six. Kamran Shaheen promoted to number 5 contributed with 33* from 34 balls in very hot and humid conditions. There were useful cameos in the middle order from Scott Doody (18) & Arif Khan (15) to help the Wanderers put up a challenging 185/5 following their 25 overs.
In the field, Ben Quirk continued his fine form with the ball making an early breakthrough, there was also a wicket on for debut for Alex Bradley. Both were able to get some early movement with the new ball to build some early pressure however only youngster Caleb Maclaren was able to exert control with the ball thereafter taking 1-37 from his 5 overs. It was a case of ‘what if’ for The Wanderers with a total of five dropped catches going down in the second innings as Sami (55*) and Mahesh (46) led Jazba to a six wicket victory in the 23rd over.
There were plenty of positives to take for the 2nd team who will be looking to put it right at Ajman on Saturday.
Clint Berkenshaw picked up the Player of the Match award for his fine all round display in the 1stXI's demolition of Mideast Metals on Saturday.
Qais Nawaz scored his maiden half century for the Wanderers on Sunday.
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