Batting worries Hales skipper (From Halesowen News)

Batting worries Hales skipper

3:05pm Thursday 9th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

HALESOWEN CC skipper Kish Patel has admitted his side must improve their batting to avoid being sucked into a relegation scrap.

Injured Patel could only watch on as his side’s recent unbeaten run was brought to a shuddering halt with a 102-run defeat at Wellington.

Chasing a modest 169 to win, Halesowen were skittled out for just 66 to remain eighth in Birmingham League Division One.

Patel said: “Our bowling and fielding is not a problem, but our early season batting frailties surfaced again with nobody able to remain at the crease long enough to build a solid innings.

“We need to beat bottom club Harborne next week or we will be back in a relegation scrap.”

Things had begun well for Halesowen after they won the toss and put Wellington in to bat.

The hosts found scoring difficult early on, being reduced to 53-5 at the halfway stage of the innings before Wendell Wagner (32) and Mark Downes (24) pulled things around for Wellington, doubling the score for the sixth wicket.

Asif Sultan (39) carried on the recovery, enabling Wellington to close their innings on 168 all out from 53.5 overs.

The wickets were shared between Imran Ali (4-31), Laeq Chishti (3-48) and impressive youngster Phil Croft (3-39).

After losing six overs to rain Halesowen still had plenty of time to chase down a moderate total but lost wickets at alarming regularity to the medim pace of Wellington skipper Anthony O’Connor (5-31) and Mark Downes (2-20).

Despite a defiant 29 not out from Arsalaan Mahmood the Halesowen innings crumbled to 66 for 9, with Alistair Harris unable to bat after sustaining a head injury.

This coming Saturday Halesowen first XI entertain Harborne at home at Seth Somers Park (noon start).

n HALESOWEN CC will be running Summer Holiday coaching sessions during July and August for youngsters aged 7 to 16, led by ECB Level 4 Coach Richard Cox.

The sessions include batting, bowling and fielding techniques, along with wicketkeeping, bowling machines and video analysis.

Cost is £25 per day or £40 for two consecutive days, with a £5 reduction for siblings.

For more information and an application form visit the club website www.halesowen.play-cricket.com or ring Richard Cox on 07770-728411.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)