Inspired Zaman rescues Mashonaland
A match-winning knock from 'keeper Mitchell Zaman gave the Mashonaland 1st XI their first one day win of the season. Mashonaland went into the game after losing narrowly to Yorkshire in the first round, while the Northerns were also out to redeem themselves after being bundled out for 95 in their first game.
Mashonaland captain Saqlain Mushtaq won the toss and elected to bat without hesitation, as the pitch and conditions seemed ideal for batting. The Northerns, however, were off to an idea start to the match after opener Kade Harvey went for a quick run in the first over, only to slip halfway down the pitch, allowing him to be comfortably run out. Things only got worse for the Mashonaland from there, as Oulton (17), Beasley (22) and Roll (21) all made starts but were eventually undone by the disciplined bowling effort from the Northerns bowlers. Even Ben Straw, who attempted to play himself in and protect his wicket, could manage no more than 16 off 42 balls, while Michael Travis gathered only 5 before offering a tame catch to Khan, leaving the visitors on a precarious 6/87. This flurry of wickets brought wicketkeeper Mitchell Zaman and handy tailender Ian Bradshaw together. These two added 46, as Zaman attempted to farm the strike, taking the opportunity to loft the ball over the infield for an eventual ten fours. After Bradshaw (13) went, Ben Joshi and Saqlain Mushtaq both added 16 with Zaman, who by this time was speeding up his scoring rate as the 50 over mark- something which before seemed impossible- approached. After Mushtaq hit his 16 off only 8 balls, number 11 Alex Tudor came to the crease at 9/212, and, rather than shy away from the strike as many number 11's do, he took on the bowling, adding 42 with Zaman, including a frantic last over which saw Sharif's figures ruined- from 4/40 to 4/63. Zaman ended the innings only four runs short of what would have been his maiden one day century, while Tudor was on 21*, and Mashonaland had made 9/254.
The Northerns openers began the game confidently, with Andrew Holland and Graeme Smith seeing off the opening bowlers easily, until Saqlain Mushtaq came on first change. In his first over, the Mashonaland captain managed to sneak through the defences of one of WCC's biggest batsmen, and Holland was gone for 15. Bradshaw struck soon after, with first drop Orton out lbw for one, and Northerns were left on 2/33. Smith and Darden combined for a 56 run stand in almost as many balls, with Darden (31 off 26) doing most of the damage, taking a particular liking to part-timer Kade Harvey's medium pace. It was Ben Joshi who broke the partnership, taking his first WCC one day wicket in a rather strange way, as Darden went for a huge heave off the spinner, only to accidentally knock off his hat which brushed the stumps, dislodging a bail. At 3/89, Northerns were in an uneasy position, but still considerably better off than Mashonaland were at the same stage. Graeme Smith was batting confidently and readily approaching his fifty, but couldn't seem to find a partner willing to stick around with him, with Dawson (2), Afzaal (8) and Afridi (0), all failing to make an impact. Smith managed to add another 15 with Sharif, bringing the score to 137, but he was run out for 74 by a stunning piece of close-in fielding by Quentin Oulton, leaving the home team at 7/137. The next three wickets fell for only two runs, as Tudor and Mushtaq finished off the tail to give Mashonaland the game, with Northerns out for 139.
Mashonaland captan Saqlain Mushtaq took 2/29
After the game, Mashonaland manager Andy Cameron was clearly jubilant about his team's win.
"The boys really tried hard, Mitch Zaman played the innings of his life, while all the bowlers impressed and contributed to getting Mashonaland on the board for the season."
Mashonaland 9/254
Zaman 96* (89), Oulton 22 (25), Tudor 21* (16)
Sharif 4/63 (10), Shah 3/29 (10)
Northerns 139 (32)
Smith 74 (91), Darden 31 (26), Holland 15 (22)
Tudor 2/10 (7), Bradshaw 2/27 (7)