CRICKET: WARWICK are all but certain to claim the Warwickshire Cricket League Division Five title after passing the 300 points mark against Pak Shaheen,
Skipper Matt Warren won the toss and chose to bat on a green but hard wicket.
Openers Adrian Passey and Graeme Burke registered another 50 partnership at the top of the order to see off the threat of the new ball.
Burke fell for a classy 38 while Passey went on to make 69 while enjoying a 50 run partnership with Warren who looked to regain some form.
When Warren fell to spinner Asad Khan, Warwick were left at 109/3 as youngster Umair Mushtaq joined Passey at the crease.
The pair combined to post a 50 partnership leaving Pak Shaheen with no choice but to reintroduce opening bowler Shahid Iqbal.
He picked up the wickets of Mushtaq (23) and Passey in successive overs to turn the game on its head.
Late order hitting from Rajan Bhatti (35) helped Warwick’s cause as Warwick closed on 231/9 from 50 overs.
In reply, Pak Shaheen were restricted by the opening bowling presence of Joshua Osborne and Rajan Bhatti.
Pak Shaheen fought well and at drinks were 94/2, meaning Matt Warren turned to seamer Abhishek Sharma.
Sharma picked up two quick wickets while at the other end Anil Lohan also bagged a pair of wickets.
A yorker from Bhatti then dismissed Jalil Ul Rehman (49) – leaving Pak Shaheen on 171/8.
Hopes of a clear win for Warwick were quashed though when their tailenders battled well for the final handful of overs to earn a losing draw. Warwick picked up 17 points for their efforts.
Warwick face Moseley at home this Saturday.
2ND XI
An end of season push to secure the runners up spot in the Division Nine East table received a much-needed boost on Saturday as Warwick 2nds earned a winning draw against Bedworth.
Skipper Jon Davies won the toss and decided to bat first.
Determined to secure all bonus points, Airody and Southorn opened the batting and put on 64 for the opening wicket before Southorn (28) was out to a sharp catch by Noon off his own bowling.
Airody continued to lead the way for Warwick with some fluent stroke play before he was caught for 78.
He was well supported by Davis (25), Robbins (25), and Monk (18) as Warwick finished on 207/5.
In reply, Bedworth slipped to 35/5 from 17 overs, but a gutsy performance with the bat saw Bedworth only lose two more wickets as they closed on 89/7 from 45 overs.
Pemble starred with the bat, scoring a patient 39 not out.
With results going Warwick’s way, they move to second in the table – just six points behind top side Nether Whitacre with two games remaining.
