In-form Donald plays captain’s innings to set up Wardens win

The latest part of the trilogy was also emphatically the best as Donald arrived at the crease with his team in disarray at 45 for four after losing a crucial toss on a damp pitch.

He proceeded to make light of conditions and quickly demolished a useful home attack, striking eight fours and five sixes in a spectacular 79-ball 104.

This saw Wardens to an above-par 238 after which their spinners slowly but surely strangled the life from Dorridge’s response, which closed on 177.

Many good judges consider Dorridge’s long-standing Aussie pro David Ball to be a worthy contender to Sitanshu Kotak’s status as the best overseas player seen during the league’s 15 seasons and the pair came head-to-head much earlier than Wardens had hoped after Ball (3-30) and new-ball partner, Warwickshire’s Aaron Thomason, grabbed four early wickets in ideal seam-bowling conditions.

Kotak’s 19th season in Kenilworth began with a 78-ball 36, during which he maintained a vital watching brief to his captain’s pyrotechnics. The fifth-wicket duo added 95, after which Udit Talati joined Donald to contribute a useful 21 to their 67-run seventh-wicket partnership.

Iftikhar Ahmed (3-57) eventually claimed Donald’s scalp, prior to mopping up the tail as Wardens closed on 238.

Following an Alistair Wilkinson breakthrough, Dorridge’s second-wicket pair Nathan Myers and Thomason added 58, after which Ball (22) joined the Bears starlet to add a further 49.

Donald’s four-pronged spin attack was quickly into action and once again it was Kotak who made crucial inroads.

First, he won his private duel with Ball, before Talati’s catch ended Thomason ’s threatening contribution.

The young all-rounder had followed his midweek County 2nd XI hundred with a powerful 73-ball 61, including five boundaries and two maximums.

Thereafter, only Mavarick Perry’s defiant 39 offered much by way of resistance to off-spinner Anthony Wilkinson (3-39) and Kotak (4-29), and when the Indian ace dismissed the hosts’ top gun, Wardens completed victory in the 46th over.

Robin de Regt’s superb unbeaten 117 saw Wardens’ 2nd XI to a resounding 140-run win over their Dorridge counterparts.

On a slightly damp Glasshouse Park surface, the left-hander struck eight fours and three sixes in a typically well-crafted 129-ball knock.

Opener Arjun Bath (55) played an excellent supporting role as their second-wicket partnership added 161 in good time.

Thereafter, late runs from Rajan Bhatti (20) and 66 extras saw the hosts to a formidable 278 for eight.

Wardens’ seam attack then went to work as two wickets apiece for Nick Whiting, Charlie Tustain and Bhatti reduced Dorridge to 81 for seven.

Matt Salmons (23) and Steve Hooper (29) offered a little late defiance before leg-spinner Tom Ballinger (2-30) brought events to a speedy conclusion at 138 in the 37th over.