Under 12 Inter-area T20 day

Tim Hart reports, “Sunday the 23rd of July saw the second scheduled ‘Super Sunday’ in the Under 12 Inter-area tournament – and, pleasingly, all three matches were able to take place.

“Match one saw South Glasgow struggle early on against the hosts, Lanarkshire.  However, an excellent innings of 50 from Moiz Maqsood (Poloc CC) took the total to 128 all out, off the final delivery of the innings.  In reply, despite a very good 33* from Abhi Reddi, batting as the ‘last man stands’, Lanarkshire finished 82 for 7.

“Match two was the Glasgow ‘derby’.  South Glasgow batted first once again – and once again scored 128!  Only three wickets were lost on this occasion with both Nikhil Koteeswaran and Shlok Thaker (both Clydesdale CC) reaching the retirement score – with 26* and 27* respectively.  In reply, Hamish Aspinall (Glasgow Accies CC) got his side off to a quick start – but they could not keep up with the required scoring rate as the bowlers from the south put the ‘squeeze’ on very effectively.  North Glasgow 64 for 5 off their twenty overs.

“Following a brief – but heavy – rain shower, match three did take place as planned.  Lanarkshire batted first and were immediately on the ‘backfoot’ as Aspinall took two early wickets with his slow left arm spin.  Despite 22 from Alvin Reji (Uddingston CC), Lanarkshire finished 57 all out – with Aspinall claiming 3 for 6 from his three overs.  In reply, Rory Paterson (Glasgow Accies CC) and Aspinall ensured that North Glasgow would complete a comfortable win – Aspinall retiring for 30 and Paterson finishing 24*.

“Special thanks must go to the parents, coaches and scorers for their support on the day – but especially to Uddingston CC and their Junior Convenor Ann Hargie who put on a great tea and helped to ensure that the matches ran smoothly and that the players had an enjoyable day.”

The updated Under 12 Inter-area tournament table is online here.

Challenge series update

Tim Hart reports, “The Under 14 Challenge Series continued as the Foxes made their first appearance of 2017. The match, played at New Anniesland (Glasgow Accies CC), saw the Foxes host the Eagles – and it was a match which did not reflect the quality of the playing surface, as it was the bowlers who surprisingly dominated the day’s play.

“Batting first, the Foxes got off to a good start as skipper Muhaymen Majeed (Renfrew CC) and Abdul Malik (Poloc CC) put on 55 for the first wicket. However, a slight collapse was triggered when Saifullah Ahmadzai (Clydesdale CC) got Malik to loop a ball to short cover – and 55 for 0 became 69 for 4. Although Aditya Mahapatra (Ferguslie CC) kept the pressure on with a spell of 7-1-16-2, Majeed remained resolute. He brought up his 50 off 111 deliveries before almost immediately being caught of the bowling of Nikhil Koteeswaran (Clydesdale CC). With Ahmadzai returning to clean up the lower order the Foxes were 124 all out – Ahmadzai finishing with 3 for 19.

“In reply, the Foxes ensured that there would be no big early Eagles partnership as Uzair Khan (Clydesdale CC) struck twice in the second over. With Reiss Wylie (Kelburne CC) also picking up two early wickets, the Eagles were left with a lot of work to do. Things got harder for them when Wylie held on to an absolute ‘screamer’ of a slip catch, to give Khan a third wicket. As the innings progressed, only Zakir Siddiqui (Poloc CC) with 15 would reach double figures, as the Eagles were dismissed for just 47 – Wylie finishing with 3 for 8 and Khan 4 for 18.

“The next match in the series sees the Sharks host the Foxes – in a match which, if played, will guarantee a change at the top of the series standings.”

Scottish Asian Sports Gala T20, 2017

Parvase Majeed writes, “We are organising the Pakistan 70th independence cricket festival of the 13th of August 2017, at Titwood.  The programme has been agreed as follows:

  • ‘All Stars Cricket’ festival: 10am to 1pm;
  • Scottish Pakistanis Junior Panthers v Scottish Pakistanis Juniors Pumas: 10am to 1pm (T20); and
  • Scottish Pakistanis Panthers v Scottish Pakistanis Pumas: 2pm to 5pm (T20).

“East Renfrewshire CC are scheduled to host a Kwik Cricket festival on the same day and the suggestion is we move that to Titwood and, rather than have the Kwik Cricket festival, we make it a west of Scotland “All Stars Cricket” festival.  The eight-week ‘All Stars Cricket’ programme is now complete and this is an opportunity to continue promoting the game. The event celebrating Pakistan’s independence is a perfect opportunity to build on community engagement too.  Ammar Ashraf and I have already agreed in principle to move the event from Woodfarm Pavilion to Titwood. All the kids and parents who have participated in the ‘All Stars Cricket’ in the west of Scotland will be invited to the event with their ‘All Star Cricket’ kit. We will put up the banners, etc. and it is hoped the mascot will make an appearance.

“This will be a great opportunity to connect the rich history of Pakistanis’ contribution to cricket in Scotland, and build integration through sport.  There will be stalls and kids activities at the event, so it will be a family fun day to remember.”

Under 12 inter-area update

Tim Hart writes, “Sunday saw the first planned ‘Super Sunday’ of the summer – with Ayrshire due to host Clyde and Lanarkshire (and a Clyde versus Lanarkshire match) in a day of T20 Under 12 inter-area cricket. Unfortunately, Clyde were not able to fulfill either fixture – but Mark Colman has sent this report on the Ayrshire versus Lanarkshire match which did take place at Scott Ellis Playing Fields (Kilmarnock CC).

‘After getting off to a shaky start (8 for 2 off three overs), Ayrshire built a big total. There was a sensible partnership between Dylan Neil (Irvine CC) and Nari Bhandari (Ayr CC), who both showed how to select the right ball to play or hit. Harrison Lockwood (Prestwick CC) then joined Bhandari in the middle and both accelerated the run rate with some excellent shots. Both reached their 30 before retiring – although both would later return to bat. This led to a commanding total of 162 for 7 being scored, with Bhandari finishing on 49* and Lockwood with 43.

‘After an excellent lunch (and thanks to all for contributing) the game was effectively ended as a contest in the first over when Bhandari took three wickets for no runs with a fine display of away swing bowling! Wickets did then fall at regular intervals, with Cameron Forsyth (Ayr CC) taking two and Findlay Wheeler (Kilmarnock CC) taking a good catch on his debut. The Lanarkshire innings ended after 9.4 overs, all out for 31.’

“Although the margin of victory was quite big, thanks must go to Lanarkshire, their coaches and their players for fulfilling the fixture – even if they were missing a couple of more experienced players due to the Champions Trophy Final!  Thanks too must go to Mark Colman, and Ayrshire, for hosting. The updated tournament standings are available on-line – with the next round of fixtures being another ‘Super Sunday’, this time being hosted by Lanarkshire, on 23 July.”

West development manager update

Tim Hart has circulated his May update on what’s going on in here in the west in community development.  His update was sent to clubs’ Junior Convenors, and there’s a copy here online.

Under 12 Inter-Area Championship update

Tim Hart reports, “The 2017 Under 12 Inter-Area Championship got underway on Sunday the 7th of May.  The two matches played resulted in comfortable wins for the team which fielded first.  At Hughenden (Hillhead CC), Clyde were five-wicket winners over their North Glasgow hosts.  Whilst at Scott Ellis Playing Fields (Kilmarnock CC) there was another five-wicket win – this time for South Glasgow over Ayrshire.  The scorecards are available here, as is the current standings table.”

West development manager update

Tim Hart has circulated his April update on what’s going on in here in the west in community development.  His update was sent to clubs’ Junior Convenors, and there’s a copy here online.

Ammar Ashraf wins ICC award

East Renfrewshire CC‘s Ammar Ashar has been recognised by the ICC for the work he has done, and continues to do, in and around East Renfrewshire.  You can watch former England Captain Alastair Cook’s tribute to Ammar online.  Many congratulations to Ammar on his award.

Under 12 inter-area tournament, 2017

Tim Hart writes, “Five area cricket development groups have entered the 2017 Under 12 inter-area development tournament.  The tournament continues to be about trying to provide additional opportunities for players to develop through playing matches.  As with last year, the 2017 tournament will have an eight-a-side format – however, teams may agree to make their matches eleven-a-side.  The length of the matches has changed too, with all official tournament matches now being T20s.  It is also hoped that it might be possible for two of the planned fixture dates to run in a ‘Super Day’ format, where three teams would each play two matches.  Full details are available online here.”