Cricket Web Red vs Cricket Web Blue
at the CW Oval
CW Red staged an impressive chase to overhaul Blue's total of 292/4 and win their second consecutive warmup match this preseason. Robert Cribb's hundred set a terrific platform for the Blues, but despite an unbeaten half-century from Brendon Goff, the visitors did not press on well enough at the end.
Having done well to come back and prevent a 300+ total with the ball, the Reds set about to chase the target in clinical fashion. Ian Markus continued in his purple patch, supported superbly by the classy James Stedman in a partnership of 109 for the first wicket. Rob Dauth contributed a fiery half-century at more than a run-a-ball and despite a small Halsey burst, the Reds cruised home by 5 wickets.
Sean Bennett smashed his Fuller namesake for a six and a four in the 49th over to seal the result, amidst a fantastic unbeaten partnership of 57 with Kenny Dobson for the sixth wicket.
Cricket Web Blue 292/4 (50 overs)
Cricket Web Red 293/5 (48.4 overs)
Cricket Web Red won by 5 wickets
Bangladesh XI vs Cricket Web Colts
at the PDV Dome
A thrilling encounter at the PDV Dome ended in a narrow 5-run win for the Colts, as Nick Hancock barely held his nerve at the end. The Bangladeshis entered the final over of the game needing some 14 runs for victory. Hancock surrendered 7 off the first 4 balls, including 4 wides, but kept his head to allow just a single from the final 2 deliveries.
Earlier, the Colts set a good total of 272/4 after being inserted. Pitt, Das and Malthus-Howell registered quality half-century innings, but it was a spirited cameo by Hancock at the end that pushed the score to its ultimate level of competitiveness. In defence of the total, captain Kyle Wright wasted no time in getting entrenched in the Bangladeshi top order, and returned Javed Omar and Habibul Bashar within his first 3 overs.
Bangladesh slumped to 81/4 in the 19th over, but Rajin Saleh was in no mood to surrender. He played beautifully for an unbeaten 84, receiving good support from Aftab Ahmed and Alok Kapali, before Khaled Mashud plundered 23 from just 9 balls. Wright returned for the 49th over to have him caught superbly by Fensome in the deep, but was then hit by Tapash for a six and saw a yorker slip away for 4 legbyes.
Game still on and the stage was set for Hancock to pull through in the clutch.
Cricket Web Colts 272/4 (50 overs)
Bangladesh XI 267/7 (50 overs)
Cricket Web Colts won by 5 runs
Cricket Web Black vs Cricket Web Green
at the Pickford Reserve
Cricket Web Black rose to utterly commanding form after a sluggish start against the Greens at the Pickford Reserve, and strolled to victory by 79 runs. The home side slumped to 121/5 in the 30th over, with only Ash Chaulk contributing meaningfully of the top order. Alex Blackman played sensibly in recovery, however, and received solid support from Mike Wilson and young Harry Warwick, as Black climbed to 242/9.
With a reasonable target to defend, the Blacks set about in clinical fashion with the ball. Nathan Hoy and Callum Thompson delivered their opening spells with pinpoint accuracy, fetching a bit of swing under lights, and the Greens struggled mightily to get the ball away. By the time Neil Pickup entered the attack in the 23rd over, the pressure was sufficiently telling that he snared 2 wickets in his first over. Pickup continued strongly in taking 4, whilst prodigy George Roberts cashed in with 3 of his own on a pitch which progressively favoured the spinners.
All out for 163, four Green batsmen reached the 20s, but none emerged from them.
Cricket Web Black 242/9 (50 overs)
Cricket Web Green 163 (44.2 overs)
Cricket Web Black won by 79 runs