UMBILO Harlequins Cricket Club’s matches were cancelled on Sunday primarily on account of waterlogged wicket surfaces, however, the Challenge League team went to Comtech with expectations of a non-result from expected rain.
A relatively good covering of live fine green grass on the pitch provided Quins with an opportunity to utilise their predominantly seam attack first up. Aside from Yusuf Abdulla, Quins generally had a medium paced bowling attack. Jordan Bryn and Faiyas Safri both captured two Umlazi wickets, assisting Quins to restrict Umlazi to 166 runs for the loss of six wickets in their reduced allocation of 25 overs.
The team conceded too many runs in the last 10 overs with a target too high to achieve, with Quins 36 runs for three wickets in the sixth over. However, dogged determination by number four batsman Aziz Khan, who was undefeated with 57 runs, and sheer class by number six batsman Faiyas Safri, paid off.
ALSO READ: Enter charity golf day
With 20 overs required to constitute a result in the second innings and only 18 overs having being bowled the scores tied and the rain ever so close, umpire Kevin Harvey insisted that the deliveries be bowled, giving Quins another desperately needed victory with a bonus point to elevate them up the stream one Challenge League log.
Quins require just one more victory to be comfortably out of the relegation zone. With four matches remaining that is a real probability.
The club congratulates its sixth team which took the Durban and District Cricket Union’s fifth division title, by being unbeaten during the course of the current season and having been victorious at Chatsworth 114 on Saturday, 24 February against Chatsworth United 4.
Coaching for juniors will be on Thursday at 4.40pm and seniors will practice at 4.30pm on Friday at the Harlequins nets.
Contact Ernest on 031 467 3270.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
