Reciprocal Round 7 Hong Kong Cricket Association Sunday League matches played at HKCC and KCC grounds on Sunday Nov 4 ended in big wins for the home sides.
KCC Templars vs HKCC Optimists
In this match played at the KCC ground, KCC Templars batted first and set a very large total of 349 runs off 49 overs for the visitors to chase.
KCC Templars first two batsmen were both just getting established when J.P. Lamson was out LBW after he reached 20 and the score was 37. His partner S.S. Shah was out soon afterwards caught behind the wicket for 15. This brought together the current Hong Kong Captain J.J. Atkinson and D.B. Dearing who put on 162 runs for the third wicket.
Atkinson, after doing spectacularly well in the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes last weekend, carried on where he left off—hitting fours and sixes to all quarters of the ground knocking up a marvellous ton. But when he was on 102, he under-hit a lofted drive to long on and was well caught on the boundary. It had been a punishing display of power batting. During the partnership, Dearing had played steadily in a support role and was on 47 when the partnership was broken. The run-rate then slowed for a few overs; Dearing kept up his steady scoring, however, K. Shah, batting at number five, never got into his stride and was dismissed caught for one run.
This led to a second big partnership for the fifth wicket between Dearing and W. Barkat, taking the score to 299 before Barkat was caught out. Dearing was out soon afterwards when he had made a controlled 79 runs. Wickets then fell at regular intervals and the team were dismissed for 349 off 49 overs.
This was a big total to chase and HKCC Optimists struggled against the opening attack of A. Haider and G.M. Iqbal, and also started losing wickets. It was soon clear that unless something spectacular happened they would not reach the target. They were all out 184 off 43.5 overs.
HKCC Scorpions vs KCC Infidels
The tables were turned in this match where HKCC Scorpions batted first and amassed 281 runs for six wickets off their allotted 50 overs. P.M. Boa and M.J. Wright batting at numbers four and five, respectively, put together a partnership of 158 runs before Wright was bowled by A.R. Iqbal for 94 runs with the score at 208. Boa continued until he was caught and bowled by K.C. Shah when he reached 97 runs with the total on 254. After playing so well, both men were unlucky not to complete their centuries.
In reply to the big total, KCC Infidels initially put up a good display, with the first four batsmen making a 157 runs between them, but there was then a collapse with none of the following batsmen making double figures. Part of the reason for this collapse was the building pressure to make runs quickly.
LSW JKN vs Pakistan Association AMSUA
In this match at Mission Road, the scoring was not so high, but this is understandable to a point as the venue is used for a variety of sports and the grass is not kept as short. However, LSW JKN who won the toss and batted first struggled against the Pakistan bowlers and could only reach 107 runs. The team was all out in 28.2 overs.
In reply, Pakistan Association knocked off the runs in grand style for the loss of two wickets in 20.2 overs. Wicket keeper K.H. [Khalid] Butt had a great match making four catches and a stumping during the LSW JKN innings, and then scored 80 of the runs himself without losing his wicket.
The result of the match between Shaffi’s Vagabonds and LSW knights at PKVR Sports Ground was not known at the time of printing.
Next week:
On Sunday Nov 11, HKCC Wanderers entertain LSW JKN at HKCC. KCC Infidels are at home to HKCC Optimists and LSW Knights play KCC Templars at Mission Road.
