Effingham dislodge Wandgas from top of the table

Effingham 2nd XI .v. Wandgas 2nd XI

Sat.12^th August 2017 – Fuller’s Brewery Surrey County League – 3rd Division

Effingham lost the toss, and were invited to bat first at the Calburn Cricket Field. They lost their first wicket with the dismissal of Alex Cooper in the 5th over, with the score on 13, which must have given Wandgas confidence that inserting the home side was the right decision. Cooper’s opening partner, U13 Adam Iqbal, was now joined at the crease by his father and captain, Asim Iqbal and they worked hard together, despite some very good probing overs from J Jay and Pradeep (9 overs for 17 runs). Tight bowling had kept Effingham’s innings under control and the Iqbal’s partnership of 71 had taken up 20 overs, when the skipper was adjudged to be caught behind off Pradeep for 23. This brought Jordan Bond to the crease, who quietly supported Adam Iqbal (64) until he reached his 3rd half century of the season. J Bond quickly increased the scoring rate and was eventually bowled by Dean for an excellent 71 from 49 balls, including 7 fours and a six. Effingham kept going to finish with a score of 199-6 from their 45 overs, a total which Wandgas knew was going to be a challenge.

In reply, Wandgas got off to a slow start. Antony Brown bowled with his usual skill and accuracy, taking two early wickets, including that of the Wandgas skipper, which removed all the momentum from the innings. Brown finished with figures of 2-13 from his 9 overs. Effingham’s bowling attack was varied and after the opening pace, Nick Bond’s slower deliveries rewarded him with 3-21 off 5 overs, but the real star of the second innings was Alex Cooper, who took an outstanding 5 wickets for 4 runs, in 4 overs.

Wandgas were bowled out for 89 runs inside 26 overs, to seal a dominant victory for Effingham by 110 runs.

The push for Effingham to be promoted continues.

Ray Pritchard