Youthful Greenock XI too strong for Inverclyde
Greenock vs Inverclyde
Friendly
Sunday 24th April 2016
| Greenock XI | 247 for 9 | LPJ Ware 77, CS Pandher 72*; P Singh 4 for 34, G James 3 for 33 |
| Inverclyde | 168 for 8 | D Cooke 77 |
Greenock's second and final weekend of pre-season fixtures was marred by a major let down when their 1st XI opponents, Drumpellier, called off late on Friday afternoon leaving the Glenparkers with no game on Saturday, and so a lack of important match practice was lost in advance of the opening league fixture this coming weekend.
Fortunately, Sunday's match against Inverclyde was able to go ahead, although it was very much a mixture of youth and some experience in the Greenock XI which took to the field.
Batting first in this 40 overs per side friendly, Greenock amassed the total of 247 for the loss of 9 wickets. Sixteen year old Louis Ware maintained his good early season form with a fine innings of 77 before he was trapped LBW to the bowling of Gareth James, and along with Chirag Pandher formed the highest batting partnership of the day putting on 140 runs for the sixth wicket. Pandher retired unbeaten on 72 not out.
Paul Singh with 4 wickets for 34 runs from 10 overs was Inverclydes top bowler with Gareth James 3 for 33 from 8 overs, also providing a positive spell with the ball.
In reply, Inverclyde scored a very creditable 168 for 8 wickets at the end of their 40 overs with Dave Cooke 77 and Scott Campbell 26 their two top scoring batsmen. Greenock used ten bowlers during the Inverclyde innings to allow some early season bowling opportunity for their players and there were a number of good performances.
Chirag Pandher with 2 wickets for 21 runs from 5 overs gained best figures, but there were other fine bowling spells from several of Greenocks teenage players. Ewan Stewart 1 for 20, Tom Forrest 1 for 3, Jamie Nowell 1 for 4 and Louis Ware 1 for 26 all were wicket-takers while Abigail Calder, who has been training with the Scottish Ladies cricket squad, bowled two excellent spells in a total of 8 overs for 35 runs and was unlucky not to pick up at least one wicket.
So, the Greenock XI ran out winners of this pre-season friendly by the margin of 79 runs and now the Glenpark club look forward to the start of competitive cricket for all of their sides, senior and junior, with the 1st XI at home to Weirs on Saturday in the first of this season's league fixtures.
