London Sports V Sussex Sharks

London Sports V Sussex Sharks BCEW / Nemesys League

Saturday 26th April 2008

Report by Charles Ronayne

London Sports played host to Sussex on the first day of the season in fine weather at Seven Kings Park. London were looking for their first win in the league for three years, while Sussex hoped to start their season with a win with the aim of improving on their previous season’s league position of 3rd.

Sussex won the toss and elected to field and put London under early pressure, with Andrew Whipp and Shazad Iqbal struggling to score runs early on. Shazad was removed quite quickly, clean bowled by Andy Dalby-Welsh, and Whipp departed soon after, skying a shot off Dalby-Welsh despite scoring early boundaries with some crisp strokes.

Chetan Davdra and Shakir Iqbal came together and looked to be taking the attack to Sussex, Davdra, especially, was scoring boundaries with ease, including three consecutive 4’s from one John Garbett over, and he reached 50 as London looked to be cruising at 8 an over and Shakir and Chetan at the crease.

Shakir was removed soon after, however, by a smart catch close in by Kevin Lyon, and the London innings threatened to crumble as both debutant Shah Miah and Ali Safder departed without reaching double figures. When Davdra was well caught in the deep by Laura Perry in the 21st over London were tottering on 141-6 and down to their last two recognised batsmen.

Charles Ronayne had played as a foil to Davdra, but following his departure the main run-scoring responsibility fell to him, and he helped the run rate along with some nicely-struck boundaries and some opportunistic running from Davdra, who was running for Fiaz Iqbal.

Ronayne was able to keep the score ticking and finished not out as Joe Harrison ripped through the London lower order. However, the London’s resistance helped them to 185 all out, leaving Sussex to chase 186 in 32 overs.

Sussex were placed on the back-foot early with the dismissal of Andy Dalby-Welsh in the first over of their reply, as he played on to a ball from Shah Miah. They were never really able to build a partnership to challenge the London score, with Kev Lyon becoming Miah’s second victim soon after.

Simon Ledwith looked in good form as he carted Ronayne’s first two balls back over his head, but he was undone by a freak dismissal, a defensive shot hitting Ali Safder, who was fielding close in, on his toe and looping into the arms of wicket-keeper, Davdra. Joe Harrison had also looked in good form, but a change of ends paid dividends as Ronayne bowled him trying to reverse-sweep, and had Laura Perry caught behind to leave Sussex in real trouble.

Following the departure of Harrison, the Sussex batsmen showed attacking intent, but they were unable to get close to their total, as incisive London fielding denied them any easy runs. They were eventually bowled out for 91, with Miah, Ronayne, and Shazad Iqbal each claiming 3 wickets, Miah with a very impressive 3-1-7-3 on debut.

London will look to build on this win to finish in the top 4 of the league as the season progresses, while Sussex will still be a force to be reckoned with in a potentially very close BCEW/Nemesys League 2008.

	London V Sussex Scorecard
	London Sports V Sussex Sharks BCEW / Nemesys League Saturday 26th April 2008 Report by Charles Ronayne London Sports played host to Sussex on the first day of the season in fine weather at Seven Kings Park. London were looking for their first win in the league for three years, while Sussex hoped to start their season with a win with the aim of improving on their previous season’s league position of 3rd. Sussex won the toss and elected to field and put London under early pressure, with Andrew Whipp and Shazad Iqbal struggling to score runs early on. Shazad was removed quite quickly, clean bowled by Andy Dalby-Welsh, and Whipp departed soon after, skying a shot off Dalby-Welsh despite scoring early boundaries with some crisp strokes. Chetan Davdra and Shakir Iqbal came together and looked to be taking the attack to Sussex, Davdra, especially, was scoring boundaries with ease, including three consecutive 4’s from one John Garbett over, and he reached 50 as London looked to be cruising at 8 an over and Shakir and Chetan at the crease. Shakir was removed soon after, however, by a smart catch close in by Kevin Lyon, and the London innings threatened to crumble as both debutant Shah Miah and Ali Safder departed without reaching double figures. When Davdra was well caught in the deep by Laura Perry in the 21st over London were tottering on 141-6 and down to their last two recognised batsmen. Charles Ronayne had played as a foil to Davdra, but following his departure the main run-scoring responsibility fell to him, and he helped the run rate along with some nicely-struck boundaries and some opportunistic running from Davdra, who was running for Fiaz Iqbal. Ronayne was able to keep the score ticking and finished not out as Joe Harrison ripped through the London lower order. However, the London’s resistance helped them to 185 all out, leaving Sussex to chase 186 in 32 overs. Sussex were placed on the back-foot early with the dismissal of Andy Dalby-Welsh in the first over of their reply, as he played on to a ball from Shah Miah. They were never really able to build a partnership to challenge the London score, with Kev Lyon becoming Miah’s second victim soon after. Simon Ledwith looked in good form as he carted Ronayne’s first two balls back over his head, but he was undone by a freak dismissal, a defensive shot hitting Ali Safder, who was fielding close in, on his toe and looping into the arms of wicket-keeper, Davdra. Joe Harrison had also looked in good form, but a change of ends paid dividends as Ronayne bowled him trying to reverse-sweep, and had Laura Perry caught behind to leave Sussex in real trouble. Following the departure of Harrison, the Sussex batsmen showed attacking intent, but they were unable to get close to their total, as incisive London fielding denied them any easy runs. They were eventually bowled out for 91, with Miah, Ronayne, and Shazad Iqbal each claiming 3 wickets, Miah with a very impressive 3-1-7-3 on debut. London will look to build on this win to finish in the top 4 of the league as the season progresses, while Sussex will still be a force to be reckoned with in a potentially very close BCEW/Nemesys League 2008.