The Wanderers’ run of victories came to a sudden stop on Saturday evening with an 84 run defeat at the hands of title chasers Titans.
Under the lights in Ajman, the strengthened Titans side were in blistering form with the bat amassing 235-3 from its 25 overs. The innings was based around a swashbuckling, unbeaten 125 from Syed Saqlain who, in between riding his luck, hit some impressive shots. The Wanderers bowlers could not be blamed though as, which can often be the case in cricket, they will bowl worse in games and reap far more rewards.
Vice-captain Nav Naidoo opened the bowling with pace and hostility and returned 10 dot balls in his opening four overs but was unable to find the breakthrough. Despite all of the efforts of Kamran Shaheen and Clint Berkenshaw, the Titans opening pair continued to build a solid opening stand of 154 in 17 overs before debutant Kaviyan Elan got his rewards by finding the outside edge of the left handed Wajid, which was excellently taken by Ben Willgoss behind the stumps. The 15-year-old off-spinner was impressive and was unlucky not to claim more wickets in his short spell.
Pick of the Wanderers bowlers was Avi Karia who, amongst the carnage, bowled five overs for just 37 claiming one wicket in the process. His variation of flight and his ability to bowl to his field made run scoring a lot more difficult for the Titans batters.
In reply, the Wanderers knew they needed to get off to a flying start which openers Jack Luffman and Willgoss duly did. The pair have struck up a good understanding, particularly with their running between the wickets, and they posted their third 50 plus partnership in just the fourth over. Luffman again looked in decent touch, hitting the boundary on five occasions but perished on the deep square leg boundary for 26 from just 18 balls. Willgoss looked in good form also, playing one particularly exquisite mid-wicket punch for four, but also failed to go on when he was stumped for 25.
Wanderers at this stage were ahead of the game but the introduction of Titans’ slow bowlers, and the dew now playing a huge factor in slowing the outfield down – it was nearing 11pm at this stage – the run chase became even harder. Sid Jhurani, a left hander in a fine run of form, and Will Parkinson did what they could in a 40-run stand but once Jhurani had been adjudged run out for 35 and the injured Parkinson out for 20, the task became insurmountable. Wanderers were finally bowled out for 151.
The defeat means the side slip to third in the table but with two games to play it is still in Dave Adams’ team’s hands to finish in a top four, play-off spot. This starts on Saturday with a 1pm start at the Sevens Stadium against Masters Blues.
For the full scorecard please visit https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/2338851/Wombats-DSL-Premier-3A/AAA-Titans-DSL-vs-Dubai-Wanderers-DSL
Twenty-four hours earlier, in Ajman, Sid Jhurani had led a Wanderers side in the Stellar Cricket League against Marsh Cricket Club.
Despite another great team effort, a defeat by just 24-runs was the result. However, it was another great opportunity to give new members a competitive game of cricket and Jhurani did a great job in ensuring everyone played their part.
Bowling first, the Wanderers had made life somewhat difficult for the Marsh lads and restricted them to 176-3. Jhurani himself was the pick of the bowlers, the eighth he used, claiming 1-29 from four death overs. The other two wickets were claimed by Chris Coetzee (1-10) and debutant Yasir Jamil (1-34).
The run chase eventually fell just short in a brave effort with some good contributions all the way through. The innings was based around a run a ball 30 from the ever impressive Thinus Steyn and some big hitting again from Kamran Shaheen (23 from 13 balls). Captain Jhurani led form the front and, coming in at number seven, almost won the game for his side with a cracking 51 not out from just 27 balls, an innings that included three fours and two sixes.
For the full scorecard visit here https://cricheroes.in/scorecard/2339903/Stellar-Cricket-League-MCC-10th-October-6PM-9PM/Marsh-Cricket-Club-vs-Dubai-Wanderers-CC
Avi Karia took 1-37 from his five overs in the Titans' total of 235-3.