3rd XI vs NPL

Sonning 3rd XI's Innings Cut Short as Rain Abandons League Clash at NPL

Sonning 3rd XI's Division 9A league match against NPL was abandoned due to inclement weather on Saturday at The Lab, with the visitors having posted 96 for 9 from their 36.5 overs. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sonning struggled to build momentum against a disciplined NPL bowling attack on a challenging surface.

Openers Wazir Khan (9) and Charles Astwood (4) found runs hard to come by, with both dismissed by the 15-run mark. NPL's opening bowlers Sam Day and Muhammad Shahid maintained tight lines, with Shahid finishing with impressive figures of 2 for 21 from his ten overs, including three maidens.

Sonning's middle order couldn't establish themselves as Gabriel Harrington-Myer (2-21) and captain Sam Day (2-23) kept the pressure on. Captain Mark Lilley battled for 49 deliveries for his 12 runs before falling to Harrington-Myer, while Matthew Calhoum contributed 12 before being run out.

The most productive partnership of the innings came when Michael Longridge (17 not out) and Shahid Imtiaz (8) added 32 runs for the ninth wicket, providing some late resistance. Longridge showed patience, facing 40 deliveries and striking two boundaries in his unbeaten innings.

NPL's fielding was sharp throughout, with captain Day taking a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Khan. Other fielding highlights included Tom Fitzgerald's catch to remove Mohamad Shahbaz and Harry Churchill's catch behind the stumps to dismiss Imtiaz off Amr Haji's bowling.

The home side's bowling attack shared the wickets around, with Day and Shahid claiming two apiece, well supported by Harrington-Myer (2-21), Patrick McNicol (1-24) and Haji (1-3). The disciplined performance was highlighted by their economy, with eight maidens bowled across the innings.

Unfortunately for both teams, the weather intervened before NPL could begin their reply, resulting in the match being abandoned and the points shared. Both sides received seven points each from this incomplete fixture in Thames Valley Cricket League's Division 9A.