U11 Scorchers v Reading Under 11 - Lions

Scorchers Post Commanding 114-Run Victory as Bowling Attack Dismantles Reading

Sonning U11 Scorchers produced a dominant all-round display at Knowl Hill CC on 22 July, posting a formidable 173 for 6 from their 20 overs before bowling Reading out for just 59 to claim a comprehensive victory in the BYCL Under 11 T20 Blast West.

Reading captain Ayan Pradhan won the toss and elected to field, but his bowlers found life difficult against a Sonning side that batted with intent throughout. After Seve Horton fell for a duck in the opening over, bowled by Manaswa Telavane, and Svarup Huggi departed cheaply for 1, captain Vivaan Ramesh steadied the ship with a fluent 25 off 18 balls, striking four boundaries before retiring not out. Ranbir Setia provided excellent support with 22 off 25 deliveries, finding the rope three times during a composed knock.

The real fireworks came from Kabir Nair Bansode, who blazed an outstanding 26 off just 11 balls, cracking five fours in an innings that tore apart the Reading attack. Wicketkeeper Lewis Towner contributed a valuable 17 off 25 balls, while Jaiden Patel finished the innings unbeaten on 10 off six deliveries with two fours. The extras column told its own story, with Reading conceding 54 extras, including 19 no-balls and 12 wides, with Aadish Khasgiwala's two overs proving particularly costly at 41 runs including eight no-balls.

The Scorchers' bowling was a complete contrast to Reading's wayward attack. Jonathan Turner was the standout performer, delivering a devastating spell of 2-0-7-3. He bowled Manaswa Telavane, had Adhvik Sriram caught by Seve Horton, and then bowled Hafsa Siddiqui first ball to reduce Reading from 24 for 1 to 24 for 3 in the space of three deliveries.

Vivaan Ramesh effected a sharp run out to dismiss Virat Birajdar for nought, making it 25 for 4, and the visitors were in deep trouble. Savraj Sall produced a maiden over of the highest quality, claiming 2 for 0 from his single over, dismissing both Rayyan Haroon and Saveinya Liyanage as Reading crumbled from 46 for 7 to 50 for 9. Svarup Huggi chipped in with 2 for 7 from his two overs, while Harrison Kidd bowled a maiden and took the wicket of Aadish Khasgiwala, caught by Savraj Sall.

Only Ayan Pradhan offered any meaningful resistance for Reading, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 33 off 33 balls with five fours — a defiant innings that stood in stark contrast to his teammates, none of whom managed more than six. His opening partnership of 24 with Telavane was the only stand of any substance in the entire innings.

Captain Ramesh wrapped up the match when he bowled Rajveer Beniwal to complete the dismissal of Reading for 59 in 14.5 overs. Sonning's bowling discipline was exemplary, conceding just 11 extras compared to the 54 they received, and ten different bowlers were used as the entire squad contributed to a clinical team performance that earned a full 20 league points.