The Wanderers' run in DSL 9 came to an end on Saturday in a narrow 23 run semi-final defeat against the much fancied Valley Boyz who will now take on title favorites Titans in this weekend's final.
Skipper Dave Adams was forced into no less than five changes to the side that reached the semi wo weeks ago due to winter break holidays. However, it did mean that the aside had a very youthful look to it and the impressive Avi Karia was also back after his ankle injury.
Valley Boyz won the toss and elected to bat first on what proved to be a difficult batting wicket throughput the 50 over match. Wanderers started impressively in the guise of vice-captain Nav Naidoo and all-rounder Clint Berkenshaw who each claimed a wicket in their opening spells thanks to two fine catches. Firstly, Thinus Steyn reacted sharply at square leg to pouch a strong leg side shot before the ever reliable Jack Luffman took a fine slip catch from a flying edge.
This had reduced the Valley Boys to 22-2, which was soon 53-3 after Karia claimed the first of his three wickets. From this juncture the batting side never got away from the Wanderers, who picked up wickets at regular intervals. Karia was well backed up by young spinners Aaron Cornish, Kaviyan Elan and Eisa Hussain, who was mightily impressive at the death, and when Naidoo and Berkenshaw returned to tidy up the innings the Wanderers were delighted at the prospect of chasing 157 for a place in the final.
Despite the early loss of Ben Willgoss, the chase got off to an impressive start with Luffman looking in particularly positive mood and the Wanderers were seemingly well poised at 41-2 in the fifth over when Berkenshaw arrived at the crease. However, the Valley Boyz seemed to galvanise themselves at this juncture and coupled with some accurate bowling and a pitch that was getting slower and slower the Wanderers slipped to 77-6.
Adams (19) and Naidoo (24) then staged a mini recovery and with the support of Elan (17 not out) the men form Dubai's newest cricket club were still holding out some hope but with 24 needed form the final over it wasn't to be as quick bowler Khalid ripped the stumps out of the ground on two occasions to complete the victory.
Proud, disappointed, frustration were all emotions in the Wanderers dressing room after the game but they will be back in January to take a tilt on DSL 9.1
For the full scorecard follow this link https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/2607384/Wombats-DSL-Premier-3A/Valley-Boyz-DSL-vs-Dubai-Wanderers-DSL
Avi Karia took 3-37 in Saturday's semi-final.
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