Kwatsha Century Not Enough as Sonning Draw with MCC
After winning the toss and electing to bat, MCC posted a formidable 258-7 declared from their 45 overs. M O'Donaghue top-scored with a well-crafted 57, while captain A Francis contributed an unbeaten 49 from just 35 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. D Heavyside also impressed with 45 runs from 47 balls before being bowled by Daniel Longridge.
Mohammed Zahid was the pick of the Sonning bowlers, claiming 2-45 from his 10-over spell, while captain Peter Higginbottom (2-43) and Ella Phillips (2-45) also took two wickets apiece. Despite conceding five no-balls, Zanoxolo Gift Kwatsha maintained reasonable economy with figures of 0-40 from nine overs.
Sonning's reply got off to a disastrous start with William Hibberdine departing for a duck in the second over, followed quickly by Mohammed Zahid (2) and captain Peter Higginbottom (1) to leave the hosts reeling at 9-3. When Connor Wardlaw was dismissed without scoring and Muhammad Ayub fell for 27, Sonning were in serious trouble at 35-5.
The match was transformed by an extraordinary sixth-wicket partnership of 153 between Kwatsha and Dhruv Peshkar. Kwatsha played with remarkable aggression, smashing 15 fours and five sixes in his 104 from just 77 deliveries. Meanwhile, Peshkar provided excellent support with a patient 42 from 100 balls, anchoring the innings as Kwatsha attacked from the other end.
J Le Fleming (4-28) and D Heavyside (4-12) shared eight wickets between them for MCC, with Heavyside's spell particularly impressive as he conceded just 12 runs from his seven overs, including two maidens. Their disciplined bowling ultimately prevented Sonning from chasing down the target despite Kwatsha's heroics.
With time running out and wickets falling, Sonning finished on 210-9 from their 48 overs, Daniel Longridge (6*) and Ella Phillips (0*) seeing out the final overs to secure the draw in what proved to be an entertaining day of cricket at King George's Field.
