Match Report – Monday 28th August v Burneside CC
Burneside CC – 124/18 dec (28 overs)
- Wight 4-6
M A Sohail 4-11
Lancashire Disability 125/2 (29.4 overs)
- Collinge 47
M A Sohail 40*
Lancashire won by 8 wkts
Monday saw the rare occasion when the Disability Squad got to head North along the M6 pre-match, making their way into the Lake District to Burneside CC near Kendal.
Due to overnight rain and traffic issues on route, the toss and match were delayed, with Lancashire winning the toss and electing to have a bowl on a green track.
With these fixtures being included in the calendar, Lancashire now have the opportunity to bring in new players to the squad in a less competitive environment, and today saw Local Lad Robert Wight handed his County Cap alongside Kristian Collinge and M A Sohail.
From the start and having local knowledge Robert was able to put the ball on the spot and restrict the home batter to just 4 runs off the first 4 overs. It was debutant Collinge who made the break through, nipping it back to remove the off stump of Bushell for 1.
This was soon to become 19 for 3, as Wight picked up 2 wickets, thanks to a catch out of the coaching manual followed quickly with the key wicket of Sorreson, pushing it across the left hander and taking off stump with it, Timms at the other end was keen to push the total along hitting over the top and forcing the fielders to turn and chase.
A double change saw Billy Gartside and Thomas Wilson introduced to the attack as Lancashire looked to take the pace off the ball and look for a bit of turn. Both were quick to get into the book as Wilson bowled Timms for 19 and Gartside followed up next over to remove Father Marshall thanks to a sharp catch from Tony Foster behind the stumps. The hosts were now 29 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.
In came 2 youngsters Walsh and Marshall, both showed signs of being competent with the bat, and getting into strong positions to hit through the ball, however it was Billy who would have the upper hand removing both in quick succession, thanks to the safe hands of Collinge at Cover and then the top spinner to trap the latter LBW.
At 42/7 it looked as though it was going to be a short afternoon for the boys in Red, so following discussions on field it was agreed that Burneside would bat again to use their allocated overs.
Resistance in the tail from Skipper “Sir Giles” saw the home side reach 61/10, as Wilson picked up his 2nd wicket, Jack Hughes claimed his 1st Hard Ball victim and Young Debutant Sohail bamboozled Birkett and Foster remained ice cool to take the stumping.
Under the Watchful eye of Simon Rigg, Burneside were able to build a bit if a platform, before Sohail bowled with great maturity, generating big turn and fantastic flight to remove the next 2 wickets, the Leg spinner finished with 4 wickets for 11 runs from his 4 over spell.
Sohail was replaced by the experienced Waqass and it wasn’t long before the master was creating problems firstly with his other one beating the bat to remove the bails, then shortly afterwards Tony was called into action again to Stump Rigg.
Robert returned to the Car park end and picked up 2 wickets in his over whilst Billy went back to the Station end.
Home captain Giles called time on the innings at 124/18 before Wight was able to get the chance of a 5 wicket haul.
Huge thanks go to the Village Bakery who produced a superb feast for all players and officials, the cakes were a dream.
Lancashire were now set the challenge of scoring 125 to win the game, although not a big score would prove difficult to chase as the outfield being soft was a little slow.
Things didn’t go well for the red rose as a mix up saw Thomas W run out in the 2nd over with the score on 1.
However this was quickly forgotten as the 2 debutants in Collinge and Sohail dug in and worked hard for each other to firstly settle any nerves and then put together a partnership that could well gel together for a long time to come, the pair picked up singles and 2 regularly to reach the 50 partnership in the 12th over, striking well through the ball, despatching it to all areas of the ground, on another day, they could easily build a large partnership with their timing and running.
At the break for drinks the pair had taken the side to 84 for 1, Collinge 45* and Sohail 22*.
The impressive Sorreson was able to make the breakthrough with his variation shooter to trap the opener LBW on 47.
Tony Foster was next to the crease and quickly wished he hadn’t as Sohail was quick between the wickets looking for the runs, managing to grab a breath ever now and again, Tony worked the strike allowing the talented youngster the chance to keep scoring.
The pair were able to work and rotate the strike picking up ones and the occasional 2 before seeing the side over the line in the 30th over.
Huge thank you to the Umpire David Hyomes for officiating the game at both ends, and having time to explain his decisions to help the young bowlers and inexperienced batters throughout the day and also to his 2 assistants on the side trying to keep up with the books with all the wickets and bowling changes.
Thankyou to the players and groundstaff at Burneside for hosting the fixture, A positive end to a productive yet frustrating season.
A season in which we have found some future potential as we push forward and look forward to winter and preseason training