The Wanderers made it a hat-trick of wins in the DSL on Saturday with another comprehensive win, this time at the expense of the Desert Kings.
It was an all-round team performance from the fledging side and they go into the final three games of the group stage in buoyant mood following the 97-run win. Skipper Dave Adams returned to the side to replace the injured Zain Raina and his first job was to decide that his side would bat first after winning the toss for the first time this season.
What ensued was an almost flawless batting display from the Wanderers line-up. Positive intent from the off with their shot making and running between the wickets meant that over the course of the 25 overs, four 50 plus partnerships were posted and only the Club’s second half century was also made by Sid Jhurani. He would later back this up with two wickets to claim the DSL Player of the Match award.
The side posted a mammoth 233-5. Openers Jack Luffman and Ben Willgoss set another good platform for the innings with a stand of 62 in just seven overs before the latter lost his wicket to a mistimed on-drive. Luffman, who was looking in good touch, followed 12 runs later for an entertaining 48 from 30 balls as he tried one big shot too many. This brought together Jhurani and his mentor Clint Berkenshaw and the two crafted a partnership of 54 combining some fine stroke play with excellent running between the wickets. During the stand, Berkenshaw had hit a mammoth six out of the ground towards Al Ain and he again was looking in fine touch before losings his wicket – a big one for the coach is surely not too far away. Adams joined Jhurani and again it was the running between the wickets in the searing heat that was the highlight as the pair combined for a 52-run partnership. During this time Jhurani passed his personal 50 mark before finally succumbing for 59 from 42 balls and a well-earned rest in the dressing rooms was his reward. In a shuffle in the order, Kamran Shaheen joined his captain and again he came up with some fireworks. A 52-run stand, in just 29 balls, was the result and the pair piled on the misery for the Kings fielders and bowlers. Adams finished 34 not out form 24 balls and Shaheen, caught off the final ball of the innings, ended with 29 from 16.
Skipper Adams called for a strong start with the ball from his troops and they didn’t let him down. The first 10 overs of the Kings’ reply set the tone for the final result as the Wanderers’ attack of Nav Naidoo, Shaheen and Berkenshaw were relentless with their pace and accuracy and were superbly backed up in the field, non-more so than by Will Parkinson who was electric at cover point. This period of play had reduced the Kings to 31-5 and any real hope of a victory had been dampened.
As in any game of cricket, partnerships do occur, and the 6th wicket one did muster in excess of 70 runs albeit at a slow pace. The Wanderers fielders stuck to the task well and with Adams chopping and changing his bowlers the sixth wicket did prove elusive until Thinus Steyn stepped up to plate. After a tricky second over, Steyn found his rhythm and claimed two wickets, the first was via a superb leg side stumping from the ever impressive wicket-keeper Willgoss and the second a well taken catch in the deep by Ash Connick. Jhurani took the other two wickets to fall, one via an athletic catch from Steyn, as the Kings finished on 136-9 from their 25 overs. The bonus point win puts Wanderers second in the league and a mouthwatering clash with top of the table Titans is on the agenda next Saturday evening. The game under lights will take place in Ajman with a 7.30pm start.
For the full scorecard please visit https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/2311150/Wombats-DSL-Premier-3A/Dubai-Wanderers-DSL-vs-Desert-Kings-DSL
Sid Jhurani was the DSL Player of the Match thanks to his half-century and brace of wickets.
On Friday evening, the Wanderers again made some more recent club history by fielding a side in the Stellar Cricket League featuring a number of players who had yet to play for the club.
In the 20-over fixture versus Royal Stars the Wanderers, led by wicket keeper Ben Willgoss, succumbed to a 25-run defeat chasing down the Stars’ 200 run total.
It was a learning curve for many in the field for the Wanderers but despite the huge total the side were always in the game. With the ball, Alan Berry was the standout with 2-25 from his four overs and Aaron Cornish, Chris Coetzee, Umair Siddique and Abdul Hannan all took debut wickets too.
Chasing 200 for victory, the Wanderers were ahead of the rate after 10 overs thanks to some entertaining batting from Hannan (41 from 29 balls) and the impressive Salik Shah (60 from 33) but as is often the case chasing big totals these two lost their wickets and momentum was lost somewhat until the last few overs when another debutant, all-rounder Tom Mullins decided to fight fire with fire. He cracked an unbeaten 34 from 25 balls and was well supported by Willgoss with 23 but unfortunately the winning line was just out of sight on this occasion.
Fir the full scorecard visit https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/2313885/Stellar-Cricket-League-MCC-10th-October-6PM-9PM/Royal-Stars-CC-vs-Dubai-Wanderers-CC
Next week the Wanderers face Marsh CC in game 2.
The Wanderers' second string came up just short in the side's debut in the Stellar Cricket League in Ajman on Friday evening,