Spencer stumble as ECB U-17 hold on

BY : SYED WASEEM AFZAL.
In a low scoring thriller, with both teams appearing to hold on to the bout, ECB U-17 established their supremacy over visiting Spencer Club Academy by a narrow margin of 5 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The wretched run continued for the visitors, who slumped to their third consecutive defeat from as many games. Nonetheless, they showed improvements by a distance and promise of better play in the coming matches is all but forthcoming.

A total of 155 all out in 42 overs proved just enough for ECB U-17 when they bowled their hearts out to skittle out Spencer Club Academy for a fighting 150 all out in 40 overs.

A superb 77-run stand for the second wicket between opener Patrick Turk (22 of 45 balls with 2 fours) and one-drop Neil Baker (45 off 55 balls with 5 fours) set the chase in the right path and gritty cameos from Abid Jaffery (23 off 42 balls with 4 fours) and Hassan Jaffery (11 off 35 balls) further put the game in their stranglehold.

However, what followed was simply inexplicable as ECB U-17 pulled their socks up and turned the game on its head. In a decisive turn of events, Spencer Club Academy crumbled like a pack of cards and slipped to 150 all out in 40 overs after being placed at a healthy 132 for 4 at one stage.

Owais Hameed (2 for 14) caused their demise and pulled the rug out of their feet while Sharan Kumar (2 for 20) and Ramveer Rai (2 for 28) also bowled admirably.

Earlier, electing to bat first in a 45-over game, ECB U-17 got off to a disastrous start when they slumped to a treacherous 38 for 3 and five runs later, half of their side was back in the pavilion.

Chevy Green (2 for 25), Hassan Jaffery (3 for 29) and Abid Jaffery (2 for 13) combined brilliantly to wreck the innings before Pranav Arora (19 off 27 balls with 3 fours), Owais Hameed (23 off 36 balls with 4 fours) and Saeed Hamad (22 not out off 29 balls) added some semblance of respectability with steely batting to take the total to a fighting 155 all out in 42 - a total which later went on to prove just enough.

Brief Scores:
ECB U-17 beat Spencer Club Academy by 5 runs
ECB U-17 155 all out in 42 overs. (Pranav Arora 19, Owais Hameed 23, Saeed Hamad 22 n.o.; Chevy Green (2 for 25), Hassan Jaffery (3 for 29), Abid Jaffery (2 for 13).
Spencer Club Academy 150 all out in 40 overs. (Patrick Turk 22, Neil Baker 45, Abid Jaffery 23, Hassan Jaffery 11; Owais Hameed (2 for 14), Sharan Kumar (2 for 20), Ramveer Rai (2 for 28).
Man of the match: Owais Hameed of ECB U-17.

Wednesday, December 31, 2003.
source : © UAEcricket.com.