On a blistering hot and humid morning the Wanderers overcame both weather and AFF Tigers to win their second consecutive competitive fixture.
Skipper Dave Adams made some changes to the side form the previous week with Will Parkinson, Aaron Cornish, Avi Karia and Kamran Shaheen all making their debuts. It was Parkinson who got the chance to impress first as he opened the batting with club vice-chairman Ash Connick and the pair put on impressive first wicket stand of 51 in seven overs. Connick had off the mark with a huge maximum and continued to show some fluent form with 25 form 24 balls before his dismissal. Unfortunately Parkinson followed soon after for a well compiled 23. Ethan DSouza again batted fluently at number three for his 18 and then, in a revamped middle order, wicket-keeper Ben Willgoss (11), Cornish (11) and the impressive 15-year-old Zain Rana 27 from 21 rebuilt the innings and spent some valuable time at the crease. With five of the allotted 25 overs left skipper Adams had joined all rounder Clint Berkenshaw and together they blitzed their way to post 183-7. Adams hit three fours in his 16 form 11 balls while Berkenshaw continued his fine form with 27 from 15, including two massive sixes.
The Wanderers bowlers and fielders knew that they would need to be at their best to defend the total amid the rising temperatures and they manfully stuck to the task winning by 66 runs. Opening bowlers Nav Naidoo (0-4) and Shaheen (1-11) each bowled two fiery overs at the op of the innings and were ably supported by Berkenshaw (1-14) and Rana (1-19). The seam quartet had worked hard in the conditions to put the opposition on the back foot so when the spinners were introduced the pressure was well and truly on. Debutant Karia bowled his off spin tidily claiming 1-19 from three overs while Cornish (1-13) and Adams (1-10) also chipped in but it was Connick who shone with the ball taking 3-15 from his 4.2 overs to claim the Player of the Match award. The bowlers were well supported in the filed, particularly form the ever impressive Willgoss behind the stumps who claimed two good catches.
Next week, the Wanderers start their DSL campaign on Friday against Valley Boyz at the Sevens Stadium, 1.30pm start.
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