(Twenty20) Challenge Cup Finals Day
Author: Nick Archer
Date: 18/07/2022
Barnt Green will represent BDPCL in the Area Finals of the ECB National Club competition on Sunday 7th August following their 40 run win over Harborne in the 2022 final of the (Twenty20) Challenge Cup competition. The Area Final will be held at Smethwick C.C.’s Broomfield ground and the other qualifiers are Alderley Edge from the Cheshire County League, Longton from the North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Premier League and the, yet, to be confirmed winners of the North Wales Cricket League competition. Barnt Green will face Longton in the first semi-final and Alderley Edge will play the winners from North Wales in the second semi-final. The third game of the day will see a clash between the winners of both semi-finals to determine which club progresses to the Regional Final on Sunday 28th August, just one step away from the Final which is due to be played at John Paul Getty’s Wormsley ground on Sunday 11th September.
In the opening semi-final of the BDPCL competition, hosts for the day, Barnt Green defeated fellow Premier Division One outfit Kenilworth Wardens by six wickets after winning the toss and choosing to field. They restricted Wardens to 141 for eight, in 20 overs, with a top score of 41 from skipper for the day, Ali Zaryab. He and Harry Johnson (24) added 54 for the third wicket before both fell with the score on 88. Best of the Barnt Green bowlers were Andy Sutton, with 3 for 21, and Jack Warner, who took 3 for 29. After a bright start from Rheedyi Amin (27), Ben Chapman-Lilley (42) and Amrinder Brar (30 not out) eased the home team through to the final off the opening ball of the final over without undue alarm.
The second semi-final between Premier Division Two rivals, Bridgnorth and Harborne, featured some magnificent hitting from Harborne’s Indian duo of Swapnil Gugale and Tejas Wagle who put on 153 for the second wicket. UK resident Wagle (94 from 48 balls including 16 fours and a six) was first to go, leaving Gugale to close the innings on 231 for three from 20 overs. The overseas player was unbeaten on 103 from 55 balls with 12 fours and five sixes and was joined in a third wicket partnership of 56 by Matthew James who struck 28 from 12 balls. In reply, Michael Hill, fresh from a century in each innings of a three day game for Staffordshire against Lincolnshire, earlier in the week, came out fighting and smashed 50 in 19 balls before he was caught behind, by James, off Gugale (3 for 21). He was dismissed with the total on 59 as Bridgnorth lost their last nine wickets for 17 to finish on 76 all out in 11.4 overs. Skipper Tom Arnold took 3 for 5 and Scotland Under 19 international Oliver Davidson picked up 2 for 7 during the Bridgnorth collapse.
The many spectators drawn to the day anticipated that the final would be a run-laden affair on a perfect pitch but this was far from the case as Barnt Green, having won the toss, struggled to 118 for five, in 20 overs. Amin top scored with 25 and Dan Meredith was unbeaten on 24. Wagle (2 for 13) and Jasper Davidson (2 for 20) were the most successful bowlers for Harborne who had established themselves as firm favourites to take the winner’s trophy after their fine efforts in the field. Despite the early loss of Arnold and Gugale to Jacques Banton (3 for 15), James looked secure and took the Birmingham side to 38 for two before he was out for 18. Henry Marshall (4 for 15) then took centre stage for Barnt Green, as Harborne tumbled to 78 all out in 16 overs.
In the opening semi-final of the BDPCL competition, hosts for the day, Barnt Green defeated fellow Premier Division One outfit Kenilworth Wardens by six wickets after winning the toss and choosing to field. They restricted Wardens to 141 for eight, in 20 overs, with a top score of 41 from skipper for the day, Ali Zaryab. He and Harry Johnson (24) added 54 for the third wicket before both fell with the score on 88. Best of the Barnt Green bowlers were Andy Sutton, with 3 for 21, and Jack Warner, who took 3 for 29. After a bright start from Rheedyi Amin (27), Ben Chapman-Lilley (42) and Amrinder Brar (30 not out) eased the home team through to the final off the opening ball of the final over without undue alarm.
The second semi-final between Premier Division Two rivals, Bridgnorth and Harborne, featured some magnificent hitting from Harborne’s Indian duo of Swapnil Gugale and Tejas Wagle who put on 153 for the second wicket. UK resident Wagle (94 from 48 balls including 16 fours and a six) was first to go, leaving Gugale to close the innings on 231 for three from 20 overs. The overseas player was unbeaten on 103 from 55 balls with 12 fours and five sixes and was joined in a third wicket partnership of 56 by Matthew James who struck 28 from 12 balls. In reply, Michael Hill, fresh from a century in each innings of a three day game for Staffordshire against Lincolnshire, earlier in the week, came out fighting and smashed 50 in 19 balls before he was caught behind, by James, off Gugale (3 for 21). He was dismissed with the total on 59 as Bridgnorth lost their last nine wickets for 17 to finish on 76 all out in 11.4 overs. Skipper Tom Arnold took 3 for 5 and Scotland Under 19 international Oliver Davidson picked up 2 for 7 during the Bridgnorth collapse.
The many spectators drawn to the day anticipated that the final would be a run-laden affair on a perfect pitch but this was far from the case as Barnt Green, having won the toss, struggled to 118 for five, in 20 overs. Amin top scored with 25 and Dan Meredith was unbeaten on 24. Wagle (2 for 13) and Jasper Davidson (2 for 20) were the most successful bowlers for Harborne who had established themselves as firm favourites to take the winner’s trophy after their fine efforts in the field. Despite the early loss of Arnold and Gugale to Jacques Banton (3 for 15), James looked secure and took the Birmingham side to 38 for two before he was out for 18. Henry Marshall (4 for 15) then took centre stage for Barnt Green, as Harborne tumbled to 78 all out in 16 overs.
Barnt Green CC
Barnt Green CC