3rd XI vs Reading

Sonning 3rd XI Skittled for 26 in Heavy Defeat to Reading

Sonning 3rd XI endured a torrid afternoon at home as they were dismissed for just 26 runs in a comprehensive defeat to Reading 3rd XI in their Division 8A league fixture. In a remarkable bowling display from the visitors, Hatib Khan and Raheel Farooq shared all ten wickets between them as Sonning collapsed in just 13.4 overs.

Khan was the chief destroyer, finishing with exceptional figures of 5-15 from his seven overs, including four maidens. Farooq provided equally devastating support from the other end, claiming 4-11 from 6.4 overs. The Reading bowling duo exploited favourable conditions masterfully, giving the home batsmen little respite throughout the innings.

Sohail Malik top-scored for Sonning with a determined 12 from 25 deliveries, including two boundaries, while captain Charles Astwood contributed 9 runs before being bowled by Farooq. The pair combined for Sonning's only partnership of note, adding 21 runs for the first wicket before the floodgates opened.

What followed was a procession of Sonning batsmen making their way back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Seven batsmen were dismissed without scoring, including David McLoughlin, Naqash Tahir, Daniel Edwards, Henry Cook, Alexander Fleming, Aakash Rajoriya and Robert Jones. Stephen Pollard (2) and Abdul Haadi Naqash (0 not out) were the only other batsmen to survive more than a few deliveries.

Needing just 27 runs for victory, Reading made short work of their chase, reaching the target in just 4.3 overs with the loss of only one wicket. Rafae Farooq led the way with an unbeaten 16 from 17 balls, while Ashish Singh added a brisk 13 not out from 9 deliveries to complete the nine-wicket victory.

The sole bright spot for Sonning's bowling attack came when Robert Jones had Ankit Sharma caught for a single-ball duck, finishing with figures of 1-15 from his two overs. Abdul Haadi Naqash bowled tidily without reward, conceding 14 runs from his 2.3 overs which included one maiden.

The heavy defeat leaves Sonning with much to ponder as they look to regroup before their next league fixture, while Reading will be delighted with their clinical performance in both departments.