Cricket Web XI finish tour with 43-run win
Cricket Web XI v Scotland - Clontarf Cricket Ground
Scorecard
Ball by Ball
Another disappointing showing with the ball stood out despite an easy victory for Cricket Web XI over Scotland. Kingsley Clapham was by far the best of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets and leading the charge in the defense of 295-5 by 43 runs.
Despite wet and overcast conditions, Neil Pickup was not hesitant in batting first. In turn the openers piled on 77 into the 14th over until an irresponsible slog accounted for Stedman on 39. Chaulk motored along far easier than he had all tour, and received great support from Chris Butler after Andrew Cloete was bowled for 24. Though he has been in superb form, Butler was not without luck, dropped on 4 by Hoffmann. And after passing his highest ODI score, Chaulk collapsed to a moment of madness short of a maiden international ton. The right-hander swung across the line at Hamilton and spooned a simple catch to Poonia at mid-on.
In his place Rob Dauth was not as assured, though he batted to the innings end with 33 unbeaten. While Dauth struggled to accelerate when needed, Butler did so clinically. A flat straight six off Nel was the highlight of a 32-run charge that lasted only 20 balls. In the over after the monumental stroke, Butler bent on one knee and swung offspinner Haq over midwicket to raise his half-century. And an entertaining knock of 65 was ended when Butler tried to repeat the shot, unsuccessfully, against the medium pace of Wright. Fuller was dropped on 2 and moved on with a couple of big blows in a cameo of 21.
Following on from the confident batting, Cricket Web XI started strongly with the new ball. Fast man Gough and medium pacer Clapham contrasted in speed, but both showed excellent control and well-directed aggression. The arrival of Watt to the attack continued the pressure, but it was Clapham who struck first. A sharp full ball swung in at Watts and crashed into middle stump. An over late he slanted one across Poonia and found a thin edge through to Crampton. And left-hander Haq faired little better when he received an outswinger of his own, nicking through to second slip.
The reputations of Gavin Hamilton and Ryan Watson were then further enhanced as the best batting talents in the team. The two gathered 85 runs between them for the fourth wicket. Pickup continued his recent struggle to consistently land his legbreaks, though he helped in the run out of Hamilton by running four feet with the ball to break the stumps. Watson continued to play well and got to 50 from 66 balls. McCallum swung over the top of a Watt delivery and was bowled for 13, allowing CW XI to take the proper advantage with five men back in the pavilion. Watt and Butler then operated well in tandem to squeeze the innings and carry the required run rate over 11.
The Scotland batsmen set themselves for a late charge though desperately behind in the chase. Wickets tumbled but there were some firm strikes amidst the chaos. Watson raised his hundred with a couple off Pickup and hammered the next ball over cover point for a boundary. He was finally out to a tired stroke in Fuller's next over, walking off to the acclaim of an appreciative crowd, out for 104. Scotland searched for 51 runs from the final 10 balls and CW XI victory became certain after Gough allowed only 4 runs from the 50th over.
Cricket Web XI 295-5 (50 overs)
AP Chaulk 92 (108), CR Butler 65 (63), JE Stedman 39 (44)
CM Wright 2-43 (7), PJC Hoffmann 2-48 (10)
Scotland 252-8 (50 overs)
RR Watson 104 (109), GM Hamilton 34 (40), CJO Smith 22 (18)
KR Clapham 3-26 (10), KJ Gough 2-46 (10)
Cricket Web XI won by 43 runs.
Man of the Match: KR Clapham
Very happy with that bowling effort, although a little disappointed my last 2 overs went for 11 runs.
Good to win!!
