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MPCL C C C Competition: Wednesday 13 June 2007

Essex & Hertfordshire Cricket League v Middlesex Premier Cricket League

Venue: High Roding Cricket Club, The Meadow, High Roding, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1NL

Middlesex Premier Cricket League played Essex & Hertfordshire Cricket League in the inter-league 45 over knock-out competition at High Roding Cricket Club. MPCL won the toss and elected to bat but had a disastrous start as we lost two quick wickets for 19 runs in just two overs. Skipper Ali Haider joined Darren Mathura and steadied the innings. Both played with control and with several splendid cover drives added 90 runs for the third wicket partnership before Ali Haider departed scoring a valuable 47. Darren soon followed suit and when he had reached 46. Thereafter wickets fell at regular intervals. Late contributions from Amir Ahmed (65no) and Dilip Thakkar (44) helped MPCL reach 295 for 9 at the close of innings. E&H C/L slow over rate resulted in a 12 run penalty resulting in them having to score 308 runs for victory.

Essex & Hertfordshire Cricket League started well putting 14 runs in first two overs. However, Ali Haider and Dhiren Darbar bowled accurately to restrict their scoring rate to 5 runs per over. Dhiren Darbar struck the first blow and dismissed E Tooth for 10 in the 9th over when the score had reached 41. E&H C/L were unable to accelerate the scoring rate. At the completion of 27th overs E&H C/L were 130 for 3 and asking rate increased to almost ten runs per over. Poor light and looming thunder storm resulted on play being halted by the umpires in the 35th over. At this stage the opposition were 179-5 and needed further 129 runs in 10 overs. On further play was possible due to heavy rain and poor light. MPCL were declared winners on a faster run rate.

Team: Mitul Vora (Anson; Wkt), Darren Mathura (Anson), Daud Haider (Embassy), Amir Ahmed (Embassy), Ali Haider (Embassy; Captain), Zedran Khan (Embassy), Dilip Thakkar (West Harrow), Dhiren Darbar (Rajput Samaj; Vice Captain), Hiren Desai (Rajput Samaj), Pratik Patel (Rajput Samaj) and Nilesh Patel (Rajput Samaj). 12th man: Hari Balsubramanium

Umpire: Keith Hunte

Team Manager: Mohansinh Darbar

The next scheduled match is on 11th July against either Bedford or Berkshire Cricket Leagues