Farnworth Social Circle triumphed in an Anthony Axford North West Cricket League clash on top versus bottom away at Lostock on Saturday to maintain their hopes of a Premiership title defence. Social Circle’s seventh successive league win dating back to late May was achieved by a 130-run margin and thanks largely to a brilliant 105 to 99 balls for Basil Sultan in a daunting 45-over total of 289-7.
In the same division, struggling Brinscall’s 37-run victory at home to Ribblesdale Wanderers stood out, with Sri Lankan professional Ravindu Rathnayake enjoying quite the all-round day. Second-from-bottom, Brinscall’s third win in 13 was achieved as they made 133 all out and defended it comfortably in the end against a Ribblesdale side who sit one place above them in seventh. Rathnayake top-scored with a well-paced 88 off 121 balls before his seam accounted for an even more eye-catching 7-34 from 11 overs having taken the new ball. Ribblesdale slipped to 96 all out. Four top-flight games were won by either nine or 10 wickets. Fourth-placed Read were the ones who won by 10 wickets as they successfully chased 142 at home to Blackrod. Their eighth win in 12 was set up by South African overseas amateur Zadian Muller’s four wickets as Blackrod were limited to 141-9 from 45 overs.
Professional cricket is about scoring the most home runs against the opposing team. This is how the victory of the winning team is established. The North West Cricket League proved to be a tight rope that no team can balance easily on, while maintain their skill, talent and experience. How teams scored on the runs, when the wickets fall will determine their loss or win. Team effort and cooperation are other factors that set the stage for the victors. Win or lose also sets the tone for the careers of the players competing. Players like Muller and Rathnayake could one day compete above provincial leagues to gain a position in international leagues. Teams like Blackrod incurred their losses due to the skill and manoeuvring of their opponents. There is no gain with out pain in a game of skill like cricket. Facing the prospect of losing is part of the parcel.
However, in terms of talent on the international stage South Africa suffered a wicked loss from the English at the ICC T20 World Cup. Initially South Africa was winning, with bowlers Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail scored devasting bowls, but the tide soon turned.
In the other matches, Wyatt-Hodge was able to kick on and impose herself, but in the semi-final she was bowled by the experienced Kapp and had to depart for just 12, leaving England under pressure at 20 for two. The hosts then found themselves at 23 for three when Alice Capsey elected not to review an lbw that the replay showed would have missed the stumps. In the second innings however, England showed just how far they have come from the day when they dropped five catches against the West Indies in Dubai and failed to reach the knockout stages.
In Cricket, talent, skill, practice and training can take you so far. If your opponent is just as professional as you, they tip the balance in their favour psychologically. The English have always been a tough team to beat, since they invented the game of Cricket. South Africa’s loss may hit hard, but hopefully this will herald a change, in how seriously the game is taken. This should be for both sides, men and women. It should be noted, however that England could have a tough time when versing Australia. However, South Africa will have to return to the drawing board to figure out its next strategy.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
