ERCC extend winning streak in WDCU Division 2
By Afzal Shaikh – 1st June 2019
ERCC extended their WDCU Division 2 League winning streak to four after thrashing Galloway by 5 wickets in Saturday’s away game.
Off-spinner Riaz Ali known to pick up early wickets with the new ball didn’t disappoint his skipper once again he managed to send opener Alan Lamb (14) caught Nayyar Umeed back to dug out leaving Galloway in a bit of a bother.
Season’s highest wicket taker now Riaz picked up two more for his tally of 11 in four matches.
After losing an early wicket, Galloway came back strong with their inform batsman Patrick Druce constructing a solid partnership with opener Neil McGrath when runs were hard to come by.
Just as the two started to break lose, Zubair Muhammad knocked Neil stumps leaving him 3 short of his maiden half century.
Patrick held on tight at one end to score his third half century of the season from as many matches making him one of the most sensational batsmen.
Steven Carr (20) and Mark Pagan (37) contributed well with Patrick (65) to help Galloway to a defendable 240 (49.2).
Zubair was pick of the bowlers with 3-51 (10), skipper and off-spinner Tariq Shabbir 2-36 (9) along with Riaz Ali 2-32 (10) bowled superbly. Nauman succeeded in taking the last man finishing 1-22 (6.2).
Tariq Shabbir was well pleased with his team’s performance: “It is a dead wicket and our bowlers specially Zubair bowled with great control to restrict them (Galloway) for 240.”
Having chased under 116 runs in the last three matches, ERCC skipper believed it will test his side’s batting ability when chasing 240.
“In last three matches we managed to restrict our oppositions under 115 and chased it quite comfortably, the score today will be challenging in the overcast conditions,” Tariq said.
Tariq sent Mohammed Sabir and Nayyar Umeed to open after missing the regular opener Ali Qazi due to injury.
Mohammed and Nayyar got off to a brilliant start setting a perfect platform for ERCC just as the skipper scripted.
Nayyar (32) was the first man to go caught and bowled Tommy McGrath. His opening partner Mohammed made an outstanding 69 before getting out caught by Mark Pagan off Steven Carr.
Later, wicket-keeper batsman Sachin Badhan (37) and all-rounder Nauman Javaid (57) got their side to a comfortable position.
ERCC reached the target in 46th over with the loss of 5 wickets.
In the next matches after Ramadhan, ERCC will take on Albert Park and Glasgow South shake hands with Bute and Cowal County in away games.
25-5-2019
Both senior team matches called off due to rain
By Afzal Shaikh – 25th May 2019
Rain stopped ERCC march on Saturday in the Division 2 WDCU League match against Glasgow Accies after 14 overs of play at New Williamfield on 25th May 2019.
After winning the toss, Glasgow Accies sent ERCC to bat in overcast conditions.
ERCC lost their openers Ali Qazi (4) and Mohammed Sabir (6) quite cheaply and then Zarak Ahad (13) who got off to a good start but failed to capitalise.
Not out batsmen Sachin Badhan (27) and Nauman Javaid (17) took ERCC to 77/3 (14 overs) when umpires decided to call off the match due to heavy rain and the forecast for rest of the day didn’t look much promising.
ERCC remains unbeaten after three matches in WDCU Division 2 League.
Glasgow South’s match against Hamilton Crescent was called off without bowling a single ball due to wet outfield and rain.
Fixtures for 1st June 2019 will see ERCC meet Galloway in an away match while Glasgow South visits Daksh Kingsholm.