Cricket: Double century stand hits Killie

Jun 19 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

ON Saturday Kilmarnock travelled to Springburn Park to play Victoria.

Before the match the two teams were very close in the league, only four percentage points separating them.

Having lost the toss stand-in captain Scott Weir was asked to bat first on the artificial wicket.

Killie made steady progress throughout their innings, with several players getting starts.

Mohammed Alem (62) scored yet another half-century, while Jim Hill (40), Scott Weir (39) and Zeeshant Saeed (24) all chipped in to help the visitors post 238 for 8 in their 50 overs.

The Victoria bowlers picked up wickets at crucial times, however, and never allowed any of the Killie batsmen to go on and score a big innings. N Ali (4 for 38) and Quzi (2 for 31) returned the best figures for the home side.

Kilmarnock started off extremely well in defending their total as they reduced Victoria to 15 for 2 with Jim Hill and Zubeer Pasha taking a wicket apiece.

However, this was the end of the Killie joy as Sajin (103 not out) and Niamat (112 not out) put on an unbeaten partnership of 229 to take the home-side to an eight-wicket victory with almost 20 overs to spare.

This was an under-par performance from a weakened Kilmarnock 1st XI, and they will need to do better if they wish to maintain their promotion hopes. Next week Killie travel to play Active Life.

The 2nd XI performed a bit better against Kingholm at Kirkstyle. Captain David Nimbley won the toss and decided to bat first on what looked like a good wicket.

Having reached 45 without loss, Kirkstyle slipped to 50 for 3 from 19 overs. This collapse brought Tom McFadzean to the crease as he aimed to steady the innings and make sure that all 50 overs were used.

Kingholm maintained the pressure as M Lumb took 4 for 43 to reduce the home-side to 146 for 8 and it looked like the visitors would have about 65 overs to chase down an under-par total.

However, Jon Raine (8 not out) gave McFadzean the support he needed as the pair’s unbeaten stand of 63 led Kirkstyle to 209 for 8.

Tom McFadzean batted out the innings to score his maiden half-century and finish with a wonderful 93 not out.

Kingholm never looked interested in chasing the victory and appeared happy to be travelling back south with only six points in the bag.

Saleem (2 for 23) was the most successful bowler and at one point provided Kirkstyle with some hope of bowling the visitors out. M Lumb (47 not out) batted the full 50 overs as Kingholm finished on 131 for 5 giving Kirkstyle 18 points out of a possible 25.

This impressive display will hopefully turn the 2nd XI's season around and they will aim for their first win at home to Garscube next weekend.

On Friday evening the under 15s put up a very creditable performance against a strong Clydesdale side.

Fielding first, Kilmarnock restricted the visitors to just 105 for 8 with Oliver Raine, Alex Gibson, Chris Marshman and Vish all taking 2 wickets each.

In response Kilmarnock only made it to 74 for 6 to give Clydesdale a 31-run victory. However credit must go to 12 year old Mohammed Azeem as he scored a personal best of 30 opening the batting.

A spirited performance once again from the juniors, showing that there is some great talent developing for the club’s future.