Shenfield fail to bounce back (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Shenfield fail to bounce back

12:36pm Wednesday 6th June 2012 in Sport

LOOKING to bounce back from a disappointing display against Chelmsford, Shenfield took on title contenders Wanstead at the Courage fields on Saturday.

Captain Jack Kliber won the toss and had no hesitation of batting first on an excellent and fast wicket in hot conditions.

Wanstead and Essex pro Maurice Chambers bowled straight and fast early on and reaped rewards claiming the wickets of Ali caught at second slip and Jacobs to a miss timed hook early on.

Opener John Walter and Fulk went about rebuilding and manoeuvred the ball well to frustrate Wanstead and took the score past 80. Eventually Walter (53) was run out and Fulk edged behind as the spin of Fayyaz and Ellis Grewal was introduced.

Shenfield found themselves 120 for 6, with lots of time still to bat, knowing that 250 plus was a minimum against a strong opposition batting line up.

Matt Salisbury and Kliber (36) went about rebuilding in a positive way and put on 90 for the seventh wicket in just 12 overs.

Matt Salisbury eventually fell in the 46th over after a brilliant 85 proving his all-round credentials and Kliber fell shortly after. Shenfield posted 224, which at half time seemed 30 – 40 below par.

Salisbury produced a fast and probing opening spell, causing lots of problems early on, but failed to make the vital breakthrough although bowling his allotted ten overs for just 33 runs; the most economical bowler of the day. The accuracy of Ali stemmed the flow of runs after a quick start by Wanstead and picked up two wickets including opposition skipper Akram for a well-made 84.

Australian overseas player Jacobs picked up two late wickets also, but Wanstead successfully chased the runs required with six wickets in hand.

Captain Kliber said after the game: “Wanstead are as strong as they get in this league, and if Maurice bowls like he did today all year they will be there or thereabouts in September.

“There are certainly some positives to take from this game, particularly Matt Salisbury’s performance – he is looking a class act.

“It does now mean we really need to get results against Woodford Wells and Ilford in the next two weeks.”