Horspath frustrated by ton-up Akhtar and rain

Horspath skipper Will Eason claimed two lbw victims.
Picture: www.sportsshots.org.uk

HORSPATH were frustrated by Slough opener Daniyal Akhtar's superb unbeaten century before their Home Counties Premier League Division 1 basement battle at the Recreation Ground was abandoned due to rain.

With Horspath just below the visitors at the foot of the table, Will Eason's side were desperate for a win to climb the rankings. Following a delayed start due to the wet weather, the match was reduced to a 45-37 overs contest, with Eason inserting the visitors after winning the toss.

After an early lunch, Akhtar and Mohammed Avas Anwar took the score to 26 before the latter dragged a delivery from Liam Manley on to his stumps for 11 to spark a dramatic top-order collapse. Two runs later, Manley struck again when he claimed the prize wicket of Northants all-rounder Saif Zaib, who edged behind to Robbie Eason going for an expansive drive before he had got off the mark.

Will Robertson then got in on the act with two wickets in as many balls. Slough captain Harish Kakani nicked behind and then the Jersey paceman knocked back Nabeel Janed's off stump to leave Horspath cock-a-hoop with the visitors 29-4.

However, Akhtar found a willing ally in his brother, Rahim, and the pair steadied the Slough ship, putting on 58 for the first wicket when the latter was trapped lbw by Will Eason for 29 to make it 87-5. Horspath's skipper repeated the trick six runs later by rapping the pads of Nabil Shah to boosts the hosts' hopes. 

Akhtar was proving unmovable, though, and brought up his 50 off 108 balls, before Tom Cosford yorked Rishi Sharath to make it 111-7. With the overs running out, Akhtar launched an onslaught on the bowling with his second fifty coming off just 28 balls as he completed a brilliant maiden league ton with a single off Cosford in the final over.

He finished on 100 not out from 136 balls with nine fours and four sixes as Slough's innings ended on 166-7 in the rain. Manley (2-16), Eason (2-23), Robertson (2-28) and Cosford (1-22) were the wicket-takers. 

Although conditions improved, there wasn't enough time left after tea before the scheduled close for Horspath to bat 25 overs to complete the 70 overs required to constitute a match, so the game was abandoned.

It remains very tight at the foot of the table with Horspath bottom - one point below Tring Park and two below Slough.


Posted by: Russ