Cricket: Killie return to winning ways

Jul 25 2008 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

ALTHOUGH several regular first team players were missing due to holidays and personal commitments, Kilmarnock returned to winning ways with a hard-foughtvictory over GHK last Saturday.

With regular captain Alan Hill feeling unwell prior to the start, he handed over the reins to Jim Hill and as has been the way of things this year, he promptly lost the toss and Killie were asked to field first.

Almost immediately Killie knew they were up against it, when after five overs Alan Hill left the field unable to continue due to illness.

This meant that they would have to field with only 10 men for the majority of the GHK innings.

However, this did not seem to deter them as due to an excellent catch by stand-in wicket keeper Scott Weir off the bowling of Duncan Hamilton and a run out by Mujahid Azeem, GHK were left on 20-2 after 7 overs.

A stand worth 50 in 15 overs between Donald (16) and Mehmood (74) brought some stability to the GHK innings, but when Donald was out, wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving Mehmood last man out, with the total on 157.

All the bowlers shared the wickets, Jim Hill finishing with 3-42, Duncan Hamilton 2-43 and Zubair Pasha 2-44, and run-outs accounting for the other three wickets.

But when they went out to bat, Killie got off to the worst possible start, losing Zeeshand Saeed to the first ball of the innings. The collapse continued and suddenly Killie found themselves on 58-6.

What was needed was a period of consolidation and a partnership. Fortunately, opener Alun Johnstone (34 n/o) was still there, and was joined by Alan Hill (29), who had recovered sufficiently to bat at number eight.

Together these two batsmen sought to re-establish the Killie innings, slowly at first and as the partnership progressed, Hill in particular, opened up to play a full array of shots.

Together they put on 53 to put Killie firmly in the driving seat. However, when Hill was out they still needed 48, with only three wickets remaining.

It was left to Zubair Pasha who was at times infuriating, at others sublime, as he smashed 37 n/o in quick time and the game was over with eight overs to spare.

A much-needed win, but there is still much to work on, not least with regards to fielding. Again several catches were put down and the ground fielding was poor at times.

Although the bowling was at times very good, Killie still managed to gift the opposition 21 extras.

This weekend Killie travel to Motherwell, where Saturday’s team will be bolstered by returning players.

Unfortunately with the sun shining brightly last weekend, the second XI had to endure the frustration of Motherwell’s second XI conceding, as they could not raise a team. Killie were in turn handed the 25 points.