CHESHIRE CRUISE TO IMPRESSIVE VICTORY
OVER WILTSHIRE
By Neil Goulding (Cheshire CCC
Media Officer, mobile 07813 859986)
Pictured
(centre): Richard Logan celebrates one of his four wickets as
Cheshire toasted a fine win against Wiltshire
Photos courtesy of Barry Mitchell
CHESHIRE cruised to an impressive eight-wicket win over Wiltshire
at Chester Boughton Hall Cricket Club today (Tuesday) on the final
day of their three-day MCCA Championship clash.
The hosts left themselves needing just 114 to win on the final
day having dismissed their opponents for 266 in their second innings.
And with a substantial 67 overs to reach their target, only a
batting collapse could have prevented the defending Western Division
champions an assured victory.
Cheshire lost two wickets, but powered to 24 points and maintained
their impressive unbeaten start to the season.
No wonder stand-in skipper Nathan Dumelow was pleased with Cheshire's
success, especially as it was achieved with plenty of time to
spare.
"It's a great win for the boys, we're all really happy with
the way things came together," beamed Dumelow.
"We knew we needed to get some early wickets on the final
day - and that's what we did.
"I thought the guys bowled really well as a unit. It was
nice to leave ourselves needing a low score for victory on the
final day, I had no doubts we would get the runs."
Openers Warren Goodwin (24) and Matt Dawson (28) both perished
in the second innings, but from 56-2 Duffy and Spendlove steered
Cheshire safely to victory.
Earlier, having resumed on 208-5, Wiltshire lost their last five
wickets for 58 runs as Cheshire left themselves with just 114
for victory from a minimum of 67 overs.
Pictured
(above): Cheshire spinner Jonny Fawcett who finished with six
wickets in the match
Richard Logan, Cheshire's first innings centurion, starred with
a 4-64 return from 23 overs, while fellow seamer James Hawley
finished with commendable figures of 2-53 from 21 accurate overs.
Spinners Dumelow (2-63 from 24 overs) and Jonny Fawcett (2-55
from 28 overs) were also in the wickets as Wiltshire struggled
to test Cheshire on the final day's play.
"I thought we were the better side for the three days,"
added Dumelow. "The weather frustrated us against Oxfordshire
at Banbury the other week, so we were determined to make up for
some lost ground and get a good win under our belts.
"Richard Logan had a great match for us with bat and ball,
but as a team I think everyone contributed. It was a very pleasing
performance.
"Hopefully we can take this form into our next game Dorset
and get another win."
- Cheshire's next three day MCCA Championship match is away to
Dorset, at Dean Park, from 4-6 July.
Scorecard
Wiltshire 251 all out, 75 overs (Levitt
97, Breet 54, Fawcett 4-35, Dumelow 4-81)
Cheshire 404-7, 90 overs (Logan 139 not
out, Dawson 53, Dixon 45, Berry 44, Spendlove 33)
Wiltshire 266 all out, 82 overs (Levitt
75, Walker 63, Langford 56, Logan 4-64, Fawcett 2-55, Hawley 2-53,
Dumelow 2-63)
Cheshire 117-2, 27.4 overs (Goodwin 24,
Dawson 28, Duffy 41 not out, Spendlove 24 not out)
Result: Cheshire won by eight wickets
Final points: Cheshire 24pts, Wiltshire
5pts
CENTURION LOGAN GIVES CHESHIRE UPPER HAND
By Neil Goulding (Cheshire CCC Media Officer, mobile 07813 859986)
Pictured:
New signing Richard Logan impressed with his maiden century for
Cheshire
NEW signing Richard Logan smashed a brilliant unbeaten century
to put Cheshire in the driving seat after the second day of their
latest Western Division clash with Wiltshire at Chester Boughton
Hall.
The all-rounder weighed in with a fine 139 not out from just 99
balls as the hosts took a commanding 153 runs lead on the penultimate
day.
Having dismissed Wiltshire for 251 in their first innings and
resumed on 125-3 overnight, Logan led the charge with wicketkeeper
Matt Dawson (53), Lee Dixon (45), Dan Berry (44) and Ben Spendlove
(33) also amongst the runs as Cheshire finished on an imposing
404-7 from their allotted 90 overs.
And in reply Wiltshire lost five second innings wickets as they
closed the day on 208-5, just 55 runs ahead.
Logan also impressed with the ball with a 2-47 return from 15
overs, while Neston seamer James Hawley (2-45 from 17 overs) and
off-spinner Nathan Dumelow (1-50 from 16 overs) were also in the
wickets.
But it was Logan's sparkling form with the bat which left Cheshire
looking to snap up five quick wickets on the final day to help
them force victory.
Logan's quickfire innings included 6 sixes and 16 fours, having
shared in an important seventh wicket partnership of 125 with
Berry and then an eighth wicket partnership of 74 with Hawley.
"We're in a strong position, but there's still a lot of hard
work left to do," reflected stand-in Cheshire skipper Dumelow.
"Richard's innings was just what we needed to get a healthy
first innings lead.
"He batted really well and that gave us the chance to then
put pressure on the Wiltshire in the field. We managed to do that
and got five good wickets.
"Hopefully we can get a few early wickets on the last day
and give ourselves a small total to chase down.
"I really think we've played well as a team, everyone has
contributed and we'll be pushing hard for the win on the last
day."
Jaden Levitt, who scored 97 in Wiltshire's first innings, was
in the runs again with 75 in the second, while Ben Walker impressed
with 63.
The pair shared a second wicket partnership of 92, but the visitors
have it all to do on the final day's play.
Scorecard (after Day 2)
Wiltshire 251 all out, 75 overs (Levitt
97, Breet 54, Fawcett 4-35, Dumelow 4-81)
Cheshire 404-7, 90 overs (Logan 139 not
out, Dawson 53, Dixon 45, Berry 44, Spendlove 33)
Wiltshire 208-5, 55 overs (Levitt 75, Walker
63, Hawley 2-45, Logan 2-
Points so far: Cheshire 8pts, Wiltshire
5pts
SPIN TWINS SPARKLE FOR CHESHIRE AGAINST
WILTSHIRE
By Neil Goulding (Cheshire CCC Media Officer, mobile 07813 859986)
Pictured:
Didsbury spinner Jonny Fawcett impressed with four wickets for
Cheshire against Wiltshire
SPINNERS Jonny Fawcett and Nathan Dumelow starred for Cheshire
as they made a bright start against Wiltshire in their MCCA three-day
Championship clash at Chester Boughton Hall.
Left-arm slow bowler Fawcett, who plays for Didsbury, impressed
with fine figures of 4-35 from 23 overs, while Oulton Park all-rounder
Dumelow - stand-in skipper for this match in the absence of the
ill Andy Hall - also impressed with a 4-81 return from 20 overs.
Wiltshire were dismissed for 251 having
looked solid ay 172-3 and 194-4. But the visitors lost their last
seven wickets for just 57 runs and their last eight for just 79
runs as Cheshire took control.
The only downside to an otherwise excellent
bowling display was a bad shoulder injury to opening bowler Adam
Syddall. The Bowdon seamer fell awkwardly while fielding and was
taken to hospital as a precaution. He is now a major doubt to
play any further part in the match.
Chester Boughton Hall youngster Ollie Law
took Syddall's place in the field as the county's 12th man, with
Syddall waiting for today to see whether his injury has improved.
However, Syddall's injury didn't stop Cheshire
from digging deep with the willow and after the loss of two earlier
wickets - Warren Goodwin and James Duffy were both dismissed cheaply
- the host county reached 125-3 from 45 overs at stumps.
Today Cheshire have a further 45 overs
to see if they can better Wiltshire's score and build a commanding
first innings lead.
Bramhall wicketkeeper Matt Dawson impressed
with an unbeaten 52 in a unfamiliar role of opening batsman, while
Oulton Park batsman Ben Spendlove was the third wicket to fall
having made a useful 33.
Dawson and Spendlove shared in a third
wicket partnership of 80, before Dawson and Oxton batsman Lee
Dixon (10 not out) saw Cheshire safely to the close.
Earlier in the day Cheshire were forced
to make a series of changes to their team. Skipper Hall was unwell
and Dumelow stood in as temporary captain, while Oulton Park batsman
Louis Bentley was unavailable and Hyde all-rounder Danny Berry
was given the chance.
There was also a chance for Neston seamer
James Hawley to play with Oulton Park's Rick Moore absent.
Both Dumelow and Fawcett impressed with
the ball to halt Wiltshire from pushing on towards the 300-mark.
Jaden Levitt (97) and Josef Breet (54)
were the pick of the Wiltshire batsmen as they shared a third
wicket stand of 110, finally broken by Syddall before he got injured.
"I thought we battled back really
well," reflected Dumelow. "Wiltshire were going quite
well at 172-3, but there was a bit of spin for me and Jonny and
we just kept plugging away.
"It's good to bowl any side out for
under 300, we feel as though we've got a good chance now of kicking
on and getting a first innings lead to put some pressure on them.
"I'm not sure whether Adam Syddall
will bat for us or play any further part, we'll have to see how
his injury is on the second day."
Scorecard (Day 1)
Wiltshire 251 all out, 75 overs (Levitt
97, Breet 54, Fawcett 4-35, Dumelow 4-81)
Cheshire 125-3, 45 overs (Dawson 52 not
out)
Points so far: Cheshire 4pts, Wiltshire
3pts
Cheshire team:
Warren Goodwin (Chester Boughton Hall)
Ben Spendlove (Oulton Park)
Lee Dixon (Oxton)
James Duffy (Hyde) - wicketkeeper
Nathan Dumelow (Oulton Park) - captain
Matt Dawson (Bramhall) - wicketkeeper
Dan Berry (Hyde)
Richard Logan (Chichester)
Adam Syddall (Bowdon)
Jonny Fawcett (Didsbury)
James Hawley (Neston)
12th man: Ollie Law (Chester Boughton Hall)
Scorer: Janet Herbert
NB to editors
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