by Stan Nicholson
The South East Shires Cricket League Representative XI comfortably won the 2024 Sovereign Trophy played today at Loughton CC.
I was advised beforehand to bring plenty of cricket balls because the ground is surrounded by thick dense hedges, which were overgrown due to not being able to cut, because of nesting birds.
SESCL won the toss, and had no hesitation to bat first on a hot sunny day.
The first new ball was lost in the second over when Toqeer Hussain hit a big 6 into the hedge of the nearby Bowling Club. Another new ball was used.
All the top order seemed to have the same plan in the power-play ; hit it hard and as far as possible. It made for exciting cricket, but the first 3 were out before any of them made 30. 81 for 3 wkts in the 12th over.. No. 4 bat, Baber Agha, did a little better in scoring 38 ; 4 down for 137 in 21st over. By this time, captain Zaid Ali Khan, had seen enough, and decided to change the pattern of falling wickets,. He put on a 76 run partnership with Shafqat Ullah before being out for 71 (8 x 4s, 1 x 6). The NCL fielders were showing visible signs of tiring in the heat, as Shatqat, & no. 7, Shabaaz Khan, continued on their merry way. Shafqat 51, Shabaaz 54. The innings closed on 312 for 8 wkts, after the allocated 45 overs.
A big score, but the NCL batsmen had
seen how they should play. They were the reigning holders, and have a good
record of run-chasing in this competition.
The early wicket of Omar Akram, trapped lbw in the 3rd over, was
a set-back, and the excellent line and length of seamer Tegi Sahgal, and the
controlled accuracy of left-arm spinner Ali Akbar Raja, made it difficult for
normally free-scoring batsmen like Hamza Ahmed & Baber Choudhary. Baber was
out for 9 in 16th over (at 56), then Hamza out for 57 (11 x 4s, 1 x 6) in the
19th over (at 76).
No. 4 bat, Abdulllah Akbar showed some
fight with his 42 runs, but none of the remaining NCL batsmen could support him. All out for 178 in the 41st over.
The South East Shires Cricket League won
by 134 runs. [Scorecard here]
CCC 2024 President, Bob Fisher (of Ealing CC), presented award medals to the match officials and players of both teams.
For his 71 runs, and captaincy on the day, Zaid Ali Khan was made player of the match, and received the Sovereign Trophy cup itself.
Oh, and the cricket balls ? I brought 3 x
new & 8 spares. And left with 11.. All the lost balls (about 6 during the
match), were found !!