NICK Seager’s typically brutal ton steered KENILWORTH WARDENS to a winning draw against Birmingham Premier League rivals Wolverhampton.
Opener Seager, who had responded to being dropped to the second team by thrashing Shrewsbury for 153 the previous Saturday, marked his return to the side with another ferocious onslaught.
He smashed five sixes and 11 fours in an even-time 104, which set Wardens on their way to a formidable 55-over total of 307 for five.
Seager and opening partner Harry Johnson, who celebrated his call-up to Warwickshire’s 2nd XI with an excellent 65-ball 68, added 107 after Martin Donald had taken first use of a good Danescourt pitch.
Basit Zaman (24) then helped the powerful opener add 79 for the visitors’ second wicket, before Blake Maher (40) and Donald (46 not out) ensured Wardens passed the 300 mark for the first time this season.
Andy Bowyer (3 for 53) was the only home bowler to emerge with anything by way of success, and the hosts were also soon struggling with the bat as a wicket apiece for Trevedi and Brinder Phagura reduced them to 42 for 2.
Wolverhampton were then tied down by slow left-armer Rahul Trevedi, operating with the new ball, to such an extent that they settled for a draw very early on in proceedings.
The hosts’ in-form Indian international Wasim Jaffer helped himself to an accomplished unbeaten 95 as they closed on 217 for six.
Opener Ramanjot Jaswal dug in for an 81-ball 31, before the 38-year-old Jaffer, who scored five hundreds in his 31 tests for India, dominated the remainder of proceedings.
His unbeaten 95, which came from 106 balls with 13 fours and a six, was his 11th league score of over 50 in 12 innings this season, and in the company of firstly keeper Will Nield (29) then Usman Arif he saw the hosts to a comfortable draw.
Trevedi’s fine 17-over spell returned 2 for 46, while Zaman’s leg spin returned 2 for 74 for a Wardens youngest-ever 1st XI league line-up, which had an average age under 22.
