Big Win for VI Sharks Blows League Title Chase Wide Open

On Saturday 25th July Northamptonshire hosted Sussex Visually Impaired XI at Brixworth CC, this was the first time the club had hosted Blind Cricket and the quality of the ground and facilities, not to mention the hospitality meant everyone left hoping it wouldn’t be the last.

Both sides had stand in skippers and Ian 'Tiny' Morris for the Sharks called correctly and asked Asif Ali and his Northants side to have a bat.

The innings started solidly but when Asif Ali was caught spectacularly by Callum Weir on the square leg boundary this triggered a  collapse of epic proportions. After 5 overs the Steelbacks were 23-1 and by the time drinks were taken at the end of the 10th over they were languishing on 37-6. Phil Daniels miserly spell (4 overs, 1-6) set the foundation and Mark Bond (3 overs, 1 maiden, 2-7) and Tiny Morris (2 overs, 2-3), set it up for the pick of the Sharks bowlers, Joe Harrison to finish the innings off with his 4th wicket giving a return of 4-23 from his 5 overs. At 72 all out Northants had claimed a single batting point and the Sharks then set about chasing down the modest total.

The Sharks began like men on a mission as the first 3 overs went for 19, 20 and 24 respectively, Chris Ross who had hit 10 (battling to secure the batting bonus point), restricted the 4th over for 8 and as Si Ledwith who had scored 30 off just 15 balls attempted to finish the game with another big shot, Chris claimed a deserved wicket. Cries of “we are still in this” seemed positive but overly optimistic with the scores tied and a single from Callum Weir (25 not out) off just the 25th ball of the innings saw the VI Sharks safely home.

This makes the table now look very interesting. All teams have played 4 games. Lancashire are top on 56 points, the Sharks are nipping at their heels on 52 points, London Metro sit further back on 44 points and Northants prop-up the table on 32 points.

With 44 points still on offer for 2 wins then all clubs can still win the league and all four could still be relegated, it sets everything up nicely for the next few weeks.

View the full scorecard from the match here.

The remaining BCEW National League Division 1 fixtures:

Saturday 1st August 

London Metro -vs- Northants Steelbacks

Saturday 8th August 

Sussex Sharks -vs- Lancashire Lions

Saturday 15th August

Sussex Sharks -vs- London Metro

Northants Steelbacks -vs- Lancashire Lions

Match report courtesy of Ian 'Tiny' Morris