Asia XI v Rest of the World XI [2021]

[SirBloody Idiot]

Asia XI v Rest of the World XI 2021 [ICC2008]

OK, technically not an ICC2008 game but the general games forum is dead. I'll use HODI and ITC, but it will be based on teams in my game on ICC2008. Basically, it will be the first Asia v ROW series, the idea being that each time it takes place - it occurs in a different country. The first hosts are England.

6 June 2021 - Tour Match - England 'A' v Asia XI at Sophia Gardens
8 June 2021 - Tour Match - England 'A' v Rest of World XI at Old Trafford
11 June 2021 - 1st ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at The Oval
13 June 2021 - 2nd ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Trent Bridge
16 June 2021 - 3rd ODI - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Headingley
23-27 June 2021 - Only Test - Asia XI v Rest of World XI at Lord's

Squads

Profiles

Asian XI

Deepak Reddy (India)
59 ODIs, 1640 runs @ 37.27, 1 100, 13 50s
2 wickets @ 31.50

It was a surprising move that saw Reddy thrust into the Indian captaincy following the retirement of Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the conclusion of the 2018 season; at just 23 years of age, many saw him too inexperienced and underperformed to warrant the position ahead of Wasim Bedade. Since his appointment, Reddy has proven his mettle to become one of the most enterprising captains in world cricket - under his guidance the Indians have emerged as the best test nation in world cricket. Whilst his test and one day form is some what disappointing for a man of his undoubted ability, his prowess as a captain will be needed to lead a talented, if not underachieving, Asian side to glory.

Zahid Ali (Pakistan)
123 ODIs, 4370 runs @ 37.03, 5 100s, 28 50s

A superb opening batsman with all the flair of a Saeed Anwar, Zahid Ali's career remains somewhat disappointing for the most part. After a bright start with six centuries in his first couple of years in the side, a weakness to the short ball has left Zahid with an unremarkable international record. On his day, however, he can take apart the best of bowling attacks - his high score of 145 against New Zealand testament to that fact.

Rana Saeed (Pakistan)
35 ODIs, 645 runs @ 23.04, 2 50s
24 catches, 3 stumpings

A surprising selection as wicketkeeper, the veteran has yet to really produce the goods with the bat in his three years of one day cricket. His high test score of 202* against Australia saw him storm onto the scene - and he has maintained a super average in the longer game. Despite a lack of one day form, his glovework is possibly the best on the subcontinent and he could be a difficult man to dismiss coming in at number seven.

Biswajit Ghosh (India)
71 ODIs, 1336 runs @ 27.27, 5 50s
115 wickets @ 19.35

A talented all-rounder, Ghosh has come under fire for his inability to capitalise on good starts with the bat - resulting in a somewhat disappointing record. A diminutive figure on the pitch, Ghosh has become a specialist one day bowler with his tight orthodox spin causing batsman around the world trouble. He relies on accuracy - probably the reason he bowls so few overs in the longer game where batsman happily kick him away from outside leg stump. With Farhad and Chawla also in the squad, Ghosh may find it difficult to break into the talented Asian outfit.

Devapriya Fernando (Sri Lanka)
64 ODIs, 1603 runs @ 29.15, 10 50s

A pure backup option, Fernando offers more than just his batting in this side as he is possibly the best fieldsman in world cricket. Patrolling the backward point region, Fernando hurls himself around the field to cut off opposition boundaries and is an invaluable resource for the Sri Lankans. A good domestic record is not reflected in a very disappointing international record, but the flashy 28 year old has shown glimpses of an ability to cut and pull his way to glorious innings (his effortless 127 against Pakistan an example of this).

Dinesh Ramesh (India)
56 ODIs, 1566 runs @ 30.12, 2 100s, 9 50s

The aggressive opening batsman has at times been a 'gimmie' for good opening bowlers. Ramesh has been criticised for his ability to pulverise lesser attacks at the expense of playing good cricket against the finest attacks - his tendancy to flay the bat at anything getting him into trouble more times than not.

Eashwar Mujtaba (Bangladesh)
18 ODIs, 684 runs @ 45.60, 1 100, 4 50s

A surprising selection, the young left-hander has made a bright start to his career (with a 101 against South Africa), but is unlikely to get any real game time.

Farhad Hossain (Bangladesh)
151 ODIs, 1417 runs @ 14.31, 1 50s
243 wickets @ 22.52

A better batsman than his record gives him credit for, Farhad will contest with Piyush Chawla and Biswajit Ghosh for the number one spinners spot. A tiresome worker, Farhad is constantly applauded for his ability to tie attacks down and could relish a position in a more impressive attack than Bangladesh.

Gurat Panda (India)
143 ODIs, 213 wickets @ 24.87

A surprising selection in the Asian side, Panda seems to have fallen into the trap of many Indian pacemen when it comes to playing under pressure. Whilst his record in both formats is decent enough, he has been known to go missing when the pressure is on. As such, the 32-year old needs to find confidence early in this series to be any real factor in a pretty weak Asian bowling attack.

Imran Alam (Pakistan)
170 ODIs, 5738 runs @ 37.02, 5 100s, 39 50s

At 34 years of age, Alam's simple technique has ensured he is still going stong with an average of over 40 in his last two years of cricket. Will probably bat at his usual position of four, and could be the level head the Asian side needs to succeed in this one day series.

Lalith Rohana (Sri Lanka)
135 ODIs, 4378 runs @ 37.10, 7 100s, 23 50s

A wristy and delightful player to watch, the Sri Lankan captain should, in all reality, be hitting his prime. However, an inability to capitalise on starts continues to plague his one day career which continues to falter in a dark age for the normally exciting Sri Lankan batting lineup. Whilst an average in the late-30s is by no means awful; Rohana is certainly capable of much more and maybe, with a more consistent lineup around him, he might just find that form.

Mohammad Naved (Pakistan)
123 ODIs, 202 wickets @ 23.19

At 33 years of age, Naved has entered his twilight years but finds himself in the squad as possibly the most experienced bowler on the subcontinent. A workhorse for a typically enigmatic Pakistan outfit, he will be the dark horse to chip away at the aggressive World XI outfit.

Piyush Chawla (India)
151 ODIs, 1245 runs @ 14.15, 2 50s
294 wickets @ 18.16

One of the finest limited overs bowlers of his generation - perhaps only second to former Sri Lankan anomaly Ajantha Mendis - Chawla has emerged as a lynchpin of the Indian attack late in his career. Blooded early, Chawla would only return to the side on a regular basis in his mid-twenties and would become a fine one day spinner. Averaging less than twenty is no mean feat - and his superb economy rate makes him a formidable opponent for even the finest of batsmen.

Rajitha Abeyratne (Sri Lanka)
113 ODIs, 160 wickets @ 26.61

Another experienced fast bowler, Abeyratne has worked hard throughout his years in the Sri Lankan national team. With a decent enough ODI record, and a handy test record, Abeyratne and Mohammad Naved will more than likely work well together in tandem. He won't take bags full of wickets, but on the right wicket he could be difficult for the ROW side to negotiate.

Wasim Bedade (India)
183 ODIs, 6314 runs @ 38.97, 9 100s, 39 50s
11 wickets @ 28.18

One would be forgiven for frustration after being overlooked for captaincy of his national side, but Wasim Bedade has continued to be a rock at number three for his country. With 26 test centuries under his belt, Bedade is one of the main reasons for India's rise to the top of the test world - his one day form, whilst not as good, equally as important in Indian conquests. A fine fieldsman and a handy part-time spin bowler, Bedade will be the cornerstone of the Asian batting lineup at first drop.

ROW to come later.

 

[_Ed_]

Fantastic stuff.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Tour Match - England Lions v Asia XI at Sophia Gardens
Reddy the saving grace for undermanned Asia XI

Asia XI 240 all out (Reddy 68, Ramesh 44, West 3-43) v England Lions

A fighting half-century from Asia XI captain Deepak Reddy has saved his side's blushes on a difficult Sophia Gardens wicket as the Asia XI managed to post a very gettable target of 240 for victory against England Lions. Minus the likes of Wasim Bedade, Lalith Rohana, and Biswajit Ghosh, the Asian side struggled against a disciplined English Lions attack lead by young all-rounder Simon West as they lost wickets at regular intervals on a pitch which caused all batsmen trouble.

Winning the toss and electing to field first, Lions captain Chris Fogden could not have asked for a better start as the second ball of the match resulted in a breakthrough as Alec Sheen trapped Pakistani opener Zahid Ali leg before for just two. Sheen, who represented England on five occasions in one day cricket in 2017, managed to angle the ball back into Zahid to give the Lions the important breakthrough. Despite the pitch showing signs of movement, Asia managed to consolidate early with an 81-run stand between Dinesh Ramesh and Pakistani veteran Imran Alam. Imran, however, was given a life on just eighteen as he spanked a cover drive off Duncan Rose - only for the athletic West to drop a difficult catch. The drop would breathe new life into Imran's knock as he grew in confidence before the reintroduction of Sheen into the attack saw him castled for 43.

Wickets then began to tumble for the visitors as Ramesh fell for 44 just as he looked like he was hitting his straps. It was West this time who caused the one-paced opener to lose his wicket; trapping him plumb LBW. Young Bangladeshi Eashwar Mujtaba did little to steady the ship as he shuffled across the crease to play an unattractive little flash outside the off-stump to hand West his second wicket. Despite a promising start, Sri Lankan Devapriya Fernando failed to go on with his innings as he found himself stumped off a beautiful ball from left-armer Chuck Ashley and the visitors found themselves in real trouble at 5-134.

But it was Reddy who managed to steady the ship with a patient knock against accurate bowling. Despite wickets falling around him, Reddy passed his half-century in 73 deliveries with his first boundary - the milestone allowing him to open his shoulders and double up his boundaries with the very next ball against Simon Mills. But in the very next over, Reddy was handed three reprieves off the energetic bowling of 21-year old West; first he skied a pull shot down to fine leg but was dropped by Mills. The very next ball he was completely bamboozled by a beautiful yorker from the burly Kent lad - only for the umpire to signal for a no ball. It proved to be the captain's day as he finally was dropped in the deep by Sheen off the penultimate ball of West's over.

The missed chances didn't really cost the home side, though, as tall opening batsman Andrew Kenworthy threw down the stumps from cover after a dreadful call from Mohammad Naved to have Reddy run out for 68. The Asian XI would fail to bat out their fifty overs - West finishing things off with a well-deserved third wicket as captain Fogden took a fine catch at gully to removed Naved for 6.

 

[Jamee999]

You're a genius.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Tour Match - England Lions v Asia XI at Sophia Gardens
Brilliant Chawla fires warning to ROW

Asia XI 240 all out (Reddy 68, Ramesh 44, West 3-43) defeated England Lions 208 all out (West 58, Chawla 6-42, Mohammad Naved 2-43) by 32 runs

An inspired spell of leg spin bowling from Indian veteran Piyush Chawla has completed a satisfactory warmup for some of the lesser lights in the Asia XI as they eased to a 32 run win over the England Lions. Chawla claimed a stunning 6-42 in his nine overs as he destroyed the Lions top order to effectively kill off any chance of an upset victory. Despite an opening stand of 71, the hosts never really looked in the hunt after Chawla's first breakthrough - the match certainly giving the selectors something to think about ahead of the first ODI against the World XI on Friday.

Chasing 241 for victory, the Lions opening pair started sluggishly as tall opener Andrew Kenworthy looked troubled against the late movement of the Asian fast bowlers. At the other end, though, 30-year old Michael Ryder looked much more comfortable against the quicks as he forced Deepak Reddy to make an early change - bringing in Bangladeshi off-spinner Farhad Hossain. Hossain and part-time medium pacer Imran Alam would both have little success but, just as Kenworthy looked to hit his straps, the Indian captain turned to his number one spiner bowler. Chawla started poorly as a rank full toss was pulled over mid-wicket for four by Kenworthy, but the 22-year old would fall off the final ball of the over - struck plumb LBW for a stagnant 26 in 56 deliveries.

The wicket seemed to create the opening the visitors needed as Pakistani pacer Mohammad Naved found the outside edge of Ryder, and Chawla picked up promising 25-year old Liam Radford for just four. He would soon have a third as he got revenge against Lions captain Charlie Fogden - the Hants vice-captain dancing down the wicket to repeat the six he hit some five overs earlier, only to edge the ball to Dinesh Ramesh at first slip. With the score at 102-4, the hosts needed a big partnership from Simon West and former England batsman Cory Ripley to help resurrect the run chase. But Ripley, who averaged over 45 in his 22 one day international appearances for England, failed to build the score as he fell two balls later for one as Chawla managed to get through the gate.

The wickets continued to tumble for the hosts as they became resigned to defeat - the only respite coming in a defiant 72-run stand for the eighth wicket between West and Simon Mills. But on 23, Mills daftly shouldered arms to an arm-ball from Reddy to be trapped plumb leg before wicket. Naved would finally end West's 83-ball vigil as Imran Alam took a fine catch at cover - the all-rounder certainly proving that he has the mettle to succeed in international cricket with a handy half-century. Chawla's sixth wicket would complete the victory for the Asians - Duncan Rose spanking a half-tracker to backward point straight into the waiting hands of gun Sri Lankan fieldsman Devapriya Fernando.

Despite the comfortable win, the Asia XI will have a lot to think about in terms of selection with Wasim Bedade and Lalith Rohana certain starters. It is unlikely that Farhad Hossain will play after a disappointing bowling performance - leaving the door open for Gurat Panda or Biswajit Ghosh to start in the first one day match.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Rest of World XI

Christopher Howe (Australia)
180 ODIs, 6892 runs @ 46.88, 12 100s, 48 50s
85 wickets @ 26.18

Perhaps the finest batsman of his generation whose average may not necessarily reflect his ability. The Australian has captained his country on 128 occasions in one day cricket and his all-round ability makes him the perfect selection as captain of the Rest of World side. Howe's ability to score runs under supreme pressure in the one day game has remained a hallmark of his game despite his disappointing sub-50 average in the longer form - a form he should average well above that landmark. In addition to his fine leadership and superb batting, Howe's bowling is a very handy addition for any outfit.

Alexander Prescott (New Zealand)
110 ODIs, 167 wickets @ 27.71

A surprising selection ahead of Australian Jake Collett and South African Michael Meyer, Prescott's miserly economy rate is perhaps the main reason for his selection ahead of higher rated leg spinning opponents. A hard-working bowler in a relatively consistent New Zealand attack, Prescott's subtle variations more than makes up for his lack of real spin. Underestimate him at your own peril, Alex Prescott is a hard-worker and could reap the rewards.

Alexander Walsh (West Indies)
169 ODIs, 268 wickets @ 24.59

Tall and aggressive, Walsh remains the only really pacey West Indian bowler as they uncharacteristically have looked towards accuracy and even spin following the retirement of Jerome Taylor. Walsh is, for the most part, an out-and-out wicket taker and one of the main reasons for the West Indian rise to the top of the one day world. However, the selectors may be reluctant to select both he and South African Michael Cler in the same team due to their tendency to go for runs so he must make every outing count.

Brett Durie (England)
78 ODIs, 2822 runs @ 38.13, 5 100s, 17 50s

A steady campaigner at the top of the English order, Durie is compact and nuggetty batman who is very quick between wickets and a hard striker of the cricket ball. For a short man, he is surprisingly lacklustre against the short ball and this has brought about his demise on more than one occasion on bouncier tracks. He is unlikely to be particularly troubled by the pedestrian Asian attack and could feasibly be the surprise performer on home soil.

Daniel Clarke (Australia)
127 ODIs, 4062 runs @ 44.15, 5 100s, 25 50s

Known more for his test prowess (average in excess of 60) than his one day prowess, Clarke never-the-less remains one of the better one day players in the world. May struggle to break into the star-studded ROW lineup with the likes of Howe, Hoyte, Brown and Wolfe in contention for the middle order positions, but will undoubtedly be a fine backup for a strong side.

Forbes Hoyte (West Indies)
165 ODIs, 6260 runs @ 48.53, 10 100s, 40 50s
275 runs @ 26.73

One of the great all-rounders of all time, Hoyte has all the swagger that the West Indian players of the past and has been instrumental in their revival. Touted as the next Garfield Sobers from a young age, Hoyte's aggressive batting and bowling has proved to test the mettle of many an opposing side. In the past he has caused the Australians in particular all sorts of trouble with the bat - his exceptional pull and cut strokes a joy to behold for spectators. Whilst very expensive, he is an effective left-arm seamer; his one day record testament to that fact.

Geoffrey Adams (New Zealand)
101 ODIs, 3100 runs @ 32.29, 1 100, 20 50s

The New Zealander will find it difficult to get a match in this tour, but on his day he is a difficult man to dismiss. A pure stroke player, Adams far too often throws his wicket away once getting in which has resulting in a disappointing conversion rate from the Kiwi number four. He does, however, follow in the footsteps of fine Kiwi fieldsman in the past as his patrols the backward point region with flair.

George Wolfe (West Indies)
79 ODIs, 3775 runs @ 53.43, 5 100s, 26 50s

Broke onto the scene with back-to-back double centuries in limited overs cricket for his native Jamaica, and since has become probably the best batsman in the world. In an age of green pitches and longer boundaries, George Wolfe has prevailed with an average of over fifty in both forms of the game. It is a surprise for the fluent left-hander whose conversion rate from number three is surprisingly poor, but for a player in his mid-twenties one can only expect the best is still yet to come.

Kurt Baguley (South Africa)
142 ODIs, 4552 runs @ 34.48, 4 100s, 29 50s

The South African captain is another example of a man who has yet to get the most out of his undoubted ability. A gritty middle order batsman, Baguley has the fighting qualities which have characterised captains Duminy, Smith and Cronje before him but has at times been hampered by the responsibility. On his day, he is a very difficult man to dismiss but the left-hander all too often goes fishing outside of the off-stump when he shouldn't. A fine fieldsman, Baguley may just slip into the side at number six or seven.


Lenworth Brown (West Indies)
263 ODIs, 8861 runs @ 40.46, 11 100s, 60 50s
29 wickets @ 25.83

A veteran of the West Indies, Brown now sits at number five for his country and racks up big scores. Despite averaging low-forties, Brown makes runs when they count and possibly rivals Chris Howe for the mantle of the finest one day batsman of his generation. He is not just limited to the willow, his part-time leg spin bowling is always a good last resort for the West Indian captain when his first-choice bowlers fail to do the job. With the most ODIs of all active players under his belt, Brown looks certain to join the "10,000" club in both tests and ODIs. He already sits in that club of twenty one.

Lucky Mazibuko (Zimbabwe)
136 ODIs, 4062 runs @ 32.76, 5 100s, 28 50s
88 catches, 12 stumpings

The sole Zimbabwean representative, Mazibuko will find himself at the top of the order with gloves in hand despite lacking the attractive credentials of a highly rated middle order. Carrying the fortunes of the side on his back, the Zimbabwean took up the gloves out of necessity and hasn't looked back since. An unattractive batsman who too often gets bogged down in the limited overs game, Mazibuko rivals the likes of Flower and Streak as the finest Zimbabwean player of the modern era with the hardest job in world cricket.

Michael Cler (South Africa)
73 ODIs, 116 wickets @ 23.58

Plucked from relative obscurity, the paceman has not let the selectors down with his brilliant start to international cricket. Whilst not yet a certain starter in the test side, the express bowler has become a mainstay of a highly rated South African attack because of his late swing and mantle as fastest bowler in world cricket. He will compete with Alexander Walsh for one spot, one would think, and the selectors may be tempted to pick Cler due to his experience alongside Webster.

Sean Haynes (West Indies)
260 ODIs, 8157 runs @ 32.50, 9 100, 54 50s

Like many West Indian openers in the 21st century, Haynes record doesn't necessarily represent his ability. Thrust into the team at a young age, Haynes could very well have been ranked alongside the 'Three Muskateers' in the middle order if not for occasional lapses in concentration. On his day, Haynes is every bit as good as Hoyte, Wolfe and Brown but his day doesn't come along often enough - but many remember his fighting 203* against Australia just over a year ago. He has, however, improved with age and with be a formidable opponent if given the chance to play ahead of local opener Brett Durie.

Tim Webster (South Africa)
40 ODIs, 73 wickets @ 18.70

Ranked the best bowler in one day cricket, it is little surprise that Webster is set to lead the ROW XI attack. With an average bordering on the ridiculous, Webster's ability to swing the ball both ways seemingly at will makes him an almost impossible task to get away for consistent runs and will possibly wreck havoc on a vulnerable Asian top order depending on what the English conditions offer him.

Todd Dennis (England)
136 ODIs, 230 wickets @ 22.08

The local lad who has played a vital backup for Broad and Harris in the past for the English side. Picked for his variation as a left-arm swing bowler, Dennis will be keen to impress the home crowd and to justify his selection ahead of the likes of James Harris, CJ de Villiers and West Indian Eric Gordon.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Tour Match - England Lions v Rest of World XI at Old Trafford
Davies puts the pressure on Rest of World

England Lions 262 for 9 (Davies 92, Horton 49, Walsh 3-43) v Rest of World XI

A swashbuckling 92 from Lancashire veteran Paul Davies has helped the Lions overcome a poor start to post a very competitive score of 262-9 in their fifty overs. After leaving out top ranked one day bowler Timothey Webster, the ROW side could have been forgiven for thinking they had it in the bag early after reducing the Lions to 38-3. But a glorious 126-run stand for the sixth wicket between Davies and wicketkeeper Jason Horton helped ensure that the tourists will face a tough run chase this afternoon.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Lions suffered a poor start as they lost two wickets in their first four overs. Andrew Kenworthy, the young opening batsman from Hampshire, failed to capitalise on his decent innings in the match against Asia as he mistimed a fiery short ball from South African speedster Michael Cler to be caught at square leg by local Todd Dennis for five. A similar fate awaited captain Charlie Fogden who again failed to impress the England selectors as he was trapped leg before for just one.

Whilst more substantial partnerships began to develop, wickets continued to tumble as Forbes Hoyte found the outside edge of Michael Ryder for 27, and lanky West Indian quick Alexander Walsh had veteran Chris Ripley chopping on for just eleven. But at 90-5, following the dismissal of Simon West for five, it was Davies and Horton who combined for an exceptional partnership which changed the course of the innings. As the boundaries began to flow against the spin bowlers, Davies past his half-century in 52 balls despite the difficult batting conditions, before surviving a close leg before shout against Australian and ROW captain Christopher Howe on 57.

But the veteran wouldn't look back as he carted his first six of the innings with a straight slog down the ground off Walsh as he looked toward a big century which could see his England prospects firm. It looked even closer as his second maximum of the innings disappeared into the stands as he struck a meaty blow against the off-spin of embattled Kiwi Alexander Prescott. The rush of blood seemed to transfer to the other end as Horton was given a life on 44 as Cler dropped a simple catch at mid on, but the very next over saw Davies depart eight short of his century as he was clean bowled by a thunderous Walsh yorker. Walsh looked to sew up a spot in the first one dayer as just four balls later he removed Horton for 49 with another toe-crushing yorker.

Some handy lower order knocks - particularly from Chuck Ashley (29*) - helped push the score over a competitive 250, but it was the 96-ball innings of 92 from Davies that was the highlight of the innings; the knock including eight fours and two towering sixes.

 

[Jonty Lathwal]

You are genius man.....but i still cannot understand which game are you playing????
Can you please tell me....

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

No probs.

For ODIs I'm using Howzat! One Day International, and for tests I use Internet Test Cricket.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Tour Match - England Lions v Rest of World XI at Old Trafford
Stacked World side complete satisfactory win

Rest of World XI 263 for 4 (Brown 68*, Wolfe 64, Howe 51) defeated England Lions 262 for 9 (Davies 92, Horton 49, Walsh 3-43) by six wickets

A confident performance from the World XI batting line up has helped them to a comfortable six wicket victory over the England Lions at Manchester. Winning with 23 balls to spare, West Indians Lenworth Brown and George Wolfe lead the charge with confident half-centuries, whilst Australian pair Christopher Howe and Daniel Clarke likewise made impressive starts to their series. Despite being reduced to 3-1 after just the second delivery, the ROW top order dug in to take some real momentum into the first ODI against the Asian XI at The Oval.

Chasing 263 for victory, the innings got off to a terrible start as the usually placid Lucky Mazibuko played a rash shot off his first delivery to be dismissed for no score. The Zimbabwean wicketkeeper, keen to dispel worries over his slow scoring rate, played an ungainly pull shot against a shorter delivery from Alec Sheen only to be easily caught at midwicket by Simon West. But the early wicket didn't do much to distract local opener Brett Durie from the task at hand as he raced to 29 in 30 deliveries before being run out following a superb direct hit from captain Charlie Fogden.

But Wolfe played a surprisingly gritty innings, but the lowly strike rate could not distract from how important an innings it was. In a 100-run stand for the third wicket with captain Chris Howe, Wolfe eased towards a half-century whilst Howe showed some attacking intent as he pushed hard for singles. But after coasting to fifty, the captain came down the wicket to left-armer Chuck Ashley and was unable to clear the infield - the tall Sheen reaching high to complete a well thought out wicket. Just a few overs later, Wolfe's resilient knock of 64 in 97 deliveries came to an end following a terrible mix-up between he and countryman Lenworth Brown - Wolfe run out following a simple run out from Sheen.

But the real fireworks came in the whirlwind stand of 100 in just 81 deliveries as Brown and Australian Daniel Clarke put to bed any fears of a loss. The fiery Brown hit ten boundaries in his brilliant knock of 68 in just 57 deliveries, whilst the role of Clarke was understated yet equally as superb as he compiled a typically effortless 41 in 36 deliveries. Requiring nineteen runs in the final six overs, the pair did it in just seven balls as Simon West was taken for eighteen in his eighth - and final - over.