Spinners pull off unlikely win
The Mashonaland bowlers managed to defend a total of only 138 on a rapidly deteriorating pitch today as Hampshire fell only 17 runs short.
The Mashonaland pitch had clearly been prepared to suit the spinners slightly more than it had in the past, and it was for this reason that captain Saqlain Mushtaq elected to bat after he won the toss. Hampshire paceman Shane Bond got the visitors off to a commanding start, dismissing both openers with only 8 runs on the board.
Shane Bond dismissed both openers, but only bowled 3 overs as Mashonaland were bundled out cheaply
Quentin Oulton and Quinn Roll both scored at more than a run a ball, but after a 36 run stand, Oulton found himself well short of his crease thanks to a direct hit from the covers. Despite their precarious position of 3/44, Roll and Travis both scored at better than a run a ball in a rapid 42 run partnership until Hamps spinner Jowell induced an edge behind from Travis, while Aldridge had Roll out the next over for 37 off only 32 balls. The remaining Mashonaland batsman tried to slow the game down and attempted to bat out the overs, with Gibbs scoring at what was almost a 50% strike rate, while keeper Zaman could only manage 6 off 24, eventually being bowled by Jowell. Save for Ian Bradshaw (10), the tail offered little support to Gibbs (23 off 43), and in the end Hampshire left the field a happy side after dismissing the home team for only 138.
The Hampshire openers, Shetty and Chopra, got their team off to a steady start with a solid 51 run partnership which was to be the highest of the game. It was the spinner Ben Joshi who got the breakthrough, with Shetty prodding an easy catch back to the bowler for 23. Joshi struck again less than 30 runs later, trapping an impatient Inzamam-ul-Haq in front, leaving Hamsphire 2 down with only 60 runs left to get.
Inzamam was clearly upset with his decision as the Hampshire middle order struggled
14 runs later Joshi took his third for the innings, with Pollard holing out to Roll on the long on boundary, leaving the score on 3/93. This quickly became 5/93, with Saqlain Mushtaq dismissing Graham while Ian Bradshaw had Chopra out for a well played 54, easily the highest score of the game. Mushtaq continued to bowl his spinners as they were clearly gaining the most assistance from the pitch, and it was parttimer Quentin Oulton who took the next wicket, Crawley, for 8 runs, and now the long tail of the Hampshire batting line up was well and truly exposed. Shane Bond tried to keep his head, but he ran out of partners after Jowell was dismissed, with the last 3 wickets falling for no runs. Hampshire had been bowled out for 121, with Joshi and Oulton both taking 3 wickets in front a delirious home crowd.
The Mashonaland crowd became more vocal as the home team neared victory
After the match, Mashonaland manager Andy Cameron was clearly proud of his team's efforts.
"The team really played well today. Defending such a low score was never going to be easy, but the spinners really turned it on for us today, taking 7 of the 10 Hampshire wickets. Our batting could still do with some improvement, but there's no shame in making only 138 on a pitch like this."
When asked about the state of the pitch, Cameron was quick to defend his groundsman.
"We had specifically asked for a pitch that would better suit the spinners, as we have three to Hamsphire's one. I think that, given the result today, the groundsman's done his job well."
Mashonaland captain Mushtaq was awarded MOTM for his 3 wickets
Mashonaland 138 (29 overs)
Roll 37 (32), Oulton 27 (31), Gibbs 23 (43)
Jewell 3/21 (6), Aldridge 3/38 (9)
Hamsphire 121 (34 overs)
Chopra 54 (64), Shetty 23 (33), Bond 12* (34)
Joshi 3/22 (7), Mushtaq 3/22 (7)
