Leg-spinner Zaman rips through tail to help condemn Wardens to defeat

Despite Nick Seager’s hard-hitting half-century and four wickets from Sitanshu Kotak, another sub-standard batting display condemned Kenilworth Wardens to a last-over defeat at the hands of Birmingham League Premier Division leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth, writes Paul Smith.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Jun 2014, 12:43 BST
Nick Seagers half-century could not prevent Kenilworth Wardens suffering defeat. Picture submittedNick Seagers half-century could not prevent Kenilworth Wardens suffering defeat. Picture submitted
Nick Seagers half-century could not prevent Kenilworth Wardens suffering defeat. Picture submitted

Seager smashed a characteristically brutal 65 from the top of the hosts’ order but, following his dismissal, leg-spinner Basit Zaman’s six-wicket haul tore through Martin Donald’s team, who were dismissed for 142 in the last of their rain-reduced 32 overs.

Zaman then combined with opening partner Kadeer Ali to ease Dartmouth towards victory before Kotak’s intervention took the match into a dramatic final over, during which tailender Hafeez Khan cleared the ropes to clinch a thrilling win.

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Seager, who hammered nine boundaries and two maximums in his entertaining 45-ball knock, added 69 with opening partner Keith Bell (15).

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Although both fell in quick succession, Wardens still seemed set for a big score at 85 for two with 17 overs remaining.

However, former Gloucestershire and Leicestershire all-rounder Kadeer tied one end down with some accurate off-spin, while Zaman bamboozled the hosts with a devastating spell of wrist spin.

He claimed six for 31 from 9.3 accurate overs as only Donald (21) made any headway before the tail folded.

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Dartmouth skipper Kadeer then got the response off to a flyer with a run-a-ball 26 before a second-wicket partnership of 57 between Zaman, who made 43 from 48 balls, and Rawlston Tappin (20) eased the visitors towards the tape.

However, Kotak (4-38) and fellow slow left-armer Matt Hancock (2-32) had other ideas as six wickets fell for the addition of 35 runs to put the match back in the balance.

With 20 required from the final three overs, every result was possible, but eighth-wicket pair Junead Zaman (11 not out) and Hafeez Khan (20 not out) kept their heads to steer the visitors home with four balls remaining.

A fine all-round display from skipper Ant Pidgeon saw Wardens 3rds to a comfortable 81-run win over Cotswold Hills Division Two rivals Badsey.

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After top-scoring with a fluent 42, Pidgeon claimed three for eight from eight immaculate overs as Badsey were dismissed for 100 in response to Wardens’ rain-reduced 37-over total of 181 for seven.

Pidgeon was joined in an opening stand of 78 by Paul Smith (25), before Ben Rex (23) and Fred Rex (16) kept the board ticking over.

Related topics:WardensPremier Division