Match Report - Dev XI vs Glasgow Uni 2nd XI 02/05/21
The Development XI kicked off their 2021 season with a close fought win in a 30 over friendly vs Glasgow Uni 2nd XI.
Starting the season at Hamilton Crescent the Development XI won the toss; a friendly wicket and short boundaries made batting first an easy decision. However, the team soon found themselves in trouble, newcomer Jacques Davis was the first to go and the Development XI soon found themselves 5 - 2.
Circumspect batting from Maddock and Cavanagh saw things settle slightly before a flurry of quick wickets left the Development XI 39 - 5 and floundering. Nerves were setting in before cricket’s happiest man, Piash Khan, and Manish Kaushik set about a counter attacking recovery job. The flashy pair were given a helping hand as the Glasgow Uni side tossed the ball around and extras added to the total.
Khan finally fell for a run-a-ball 29 with the score at 101 - 6 and 12 overs to go. This brought skipper and notorious end of innings finisher Chris Ross to the crease. Ross and Kaushik continued the offensive until Kaushik fell for an aggressive 30 after some accurate bowling from Moosa.
Some powerful hitting and highly questionable running from captain Ross, the Development XI ended on 193 from their 30 overs. Ross ended the innings 48*, just over taking extras (47) for the highest score of the innings.
Despite some wayward bowling, skipper Lauren Payas (4-0-22-2), Ahmad Moosa (5-1-15-1) and Harry Wilson (3-0-10-1) deserve credit for tidy bowling spells.
After tea, the Development XI set out to defend their competitive total in front on an increasingly rowdy bank holiday crowd. Two early wickets for young seamer Tom Lord got the side off to an excellent start and had the team dreaming of an early finish.
However, an excellent partnership from Moosa (33) and Yousuf put Glasgow Uni. Yousaf in particular was impressive with wristy shots either side of the wicket, he continued on after Moosa fell with the score on 99 and for a period looked to have taken the game away from the Hamilton Crescent side.
However, steady controlled bowling from Tolliday and Khan kept the Development XI in it, and opening bowler Wilson returned earlier than expected with two tight overs that helped peg the Uni side back.
With the required rate creeping up and Yousaf running out of partners West turned to South African newcomer Davis and young gun Lord to see them home. The game was in the balance, 10 an over required from the last 4 and Yousaf well set.
Despite some lusty blows from the set batsmen, wickets kept falling at the other end and West were able to keep him off strike and leaving Glasgow Uni needing 16 to win from the final over.
The stage was set for young Tom Lord and the talented young player sealed an exciting win for the Development XI by removing Yousaf (91) with the first ball of the over.
This was an excellent run out for the team against a good opposition and a great way to start the season. We are looking forward to more games as they come.
Chris Ross - Dev XI Captain
