For the second year running Metro staged a trio of international ball matches this summer with the Woodsmen managing to triumph in the most recent as they were led home by Tahseen Sabir with an excellent 50 as they chased 163 with almost two of the 22 overs remaining. In earlier games the Saints had managed to defend 240 and 145 after bowling the Woodsmen out; these games being 25 overs. The final match was shortened due to the baking hot conditions.
The series has seen 38 players taking up the opportunity to experience the small ball game with nine playing in all three matches; although to balance up the totals, or B1s, each time a big thanks to Metro’s Rob MacKenzie and Alan Turnbull for turning out for both teams.
Although many of the players were London based several domestic sides had representatives including Berkshire, Dorset, Kent, Lancashire, Manchester Falcons, Northamptonshire, Somerset, Staffordshire and Surrey. Those who have not played in the England set up gained from mixing with the England men’s and UK Women’s players who had international experience.
Top performers over the series with the bat were Hardik Patel 104, average 52, and Tahseen Sabir 79, average 79, for the Woodsmen; Bradley Newton 88, average 44, and Matt Page 51 average 25.5 for the Saints. Pick of the bowlers were the Saints’ Matt Page with 6 for 64 and Mo Ghalib with 5 for 43 – both from three games and the Woodsmen’s Javid Patel with 4 for 57 from three games and Tahseen Sabir with 3 for 24 from two matches. Shahzaib Haider took a catch and a run out for the Woodsmen while for the Saints keeper Bradley Newton, another three match player, had three run outs and two catches while David Howells took two catches.
There is further International Ball cricket at the end of August, on Saturday 29th Justin Hollingsworth stages an event at Bablake School in Coventry and the following day the UK Women’s VI Cricket Team have a friendly match against Price and Myers in London.
