1st XI vs Kidmore End

Malik's Five-Wicket Haul and Wardlaw's Unbeaten 86 Power Sonning to Emphatic Victory

Bobby Malik produced a masterful bowling display, claiming 5-36, before Connor Wardlaw hammered an unbeaten 86 as Sonning CC demolished Kidmore End by 8 wickets in their Division 2A league fixture at Gallowstree Common.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Kidmore End's innings started promisingly with Craig Palmer (41) striking the ball cleanly in a 61-run opening partnership. Palmer's aggressive innings, featuring five boundaries and two sixes, provided early momentum before Peter Higginbottom made the breakthrough, removing him with the score at 61.

Malik then took centre stage, dismantling Kidmore End's middle order with a devastating spell. He removed Sanay Sadhwani first ball and followed up by dismissing William Oliver (7), Ben Greenwood (7), and Thomas Wilkinson (7) to finish with exceptional figures of 5-36 from 15 overs, including five maidens.

Juan Collison offered resistance with a counter-attacking 38 from 45 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes, before becoming Zanoxolo Gift Kwatsha's first victim. James Frost remained unbeaten on 26, anchoring the latter part of the innings as Kidmore End were dismissed for 150 in 47 overs.

Sonning's chase began confidently with captain Peter Higginbottom (15) and Wardlaw adding 63 for the first wicket before Higginbottom fell to Sadhwani, caught by opposition skipper Ajinkya Gothoskar. Kwatsha briefly appeared at the crease, contributing 6 runs before being caught off Palmer's bowling.

The dismissals did little to slow Sonning's progress as Wardlaw dominated the Kidmore End attack with a brutal display of hitting. His unbeaten 86 from just 58 deliveries contained 10 fours and 4 sixes, showcasing exceptional ball-striking ability. Muhammad Ayub provided solid support with an unbeaten 33, as Sonning comfortably reached their target in just 22.1 overs.

The comprehensive victory, achieved with nearly half their overs unused, strengthens Sonning's position in Division 2A of the Thames Valley Cricket League. For Kidmore End, despite Palmer's early fireworks and Collison's resistance, their total proved well below par against a clinical Sonning outfit.