Cheshire 2nd XI v Yorkshire Cricket Academy at Christleton

By Neil Goulding

DEBUTANTE Jude Mahadanaarachichi was the star for Cheshire 2nd XI as they breezed to an impressive seven-wicket victory against the Yorkshire Cricket Academy at Christleton, yesterday.

The Sri Lankan batting ace, who plays for Huyton in the Liverpool Competition, smashed a superb 85 as Steve Bramhall's team successfully chased a target of 202 in 50 overs on the final day of action of their two-day game at the Little Heath ground.

Timperley batsman Tom Twinney chipped in with a valuable 77 as Cheshire coasted home with five overs to spare.

Having won the toss, the Yorkshire Academy batted first and made 217-5 declared from 55 overs. Macclesfield's Ian Tait (2-52) and Nantwich medium-pacer Chris Hampshire (2-38) the pick of the bowlers.

In reply Cheshire were dismissed for 200 having been 169-4. Oxton's Marc Debrabender (80) and Toft's Jamie Noble (64) both in the runs.

Yorkshire reached 35-1 from 13 overs at the end of the first day, but could only muster 184-9 from 58 overs, leaving Cheshire just over 200 for victory.

Oulton Park off-spinner Andy Wilgose (2-18), Tait (1-24), Hampshire (3-33) and Winnington Park's England Deaf pace bowler Paul Allen (2-59) all amongst the wickets.

And led by Mahadanaarachichi, who is tipped for a place in the Cheshire 1st XI, Bramhall's team collected their first win of the season.

Representative match - Final day of 2 (Christleton Cricket Club, Little Heath)

Yorkshire Cricket Academy 1st innings: 217-5 declared, 55 overs (C Hampshire 2-38, I Tait 2-52).

Cheshire 1st innings: 200 all out, 50.3 overs (M Debrabender 80, J Noble 64).

Yorkshire Cricket Academy 2nd innings: 184-9 declared, 58 overs (A Wilgose 2-18, C Hampshire 3-33, P Allen 2-29).

Cheshire 2nd innings: 205-3, 45 overs (J Mahadanaarachichi 85, T Twinney 77, J. Noble 22 not out).

Result: Cheshire won by seven wickets.