3’s collapse to defeat in opening game run chase

The 3’s started their league season against a young Didsbury 4’s side at Mersey. Didsbury won the toss and elected to bat. Jack Critten and Dipan Shah opened the bowling and produced a tight, disciplined spell until the exertions of the previous weekends birthday celebrations caught up with Dips and runs started to flow. The partnership had reached 51 before the introduction of Shazhad produced a breakthrough. 1st ball of his spell took the outside edge of Meena and a sharp chance was snaffled at slip by Gautam. 

With the spin twins of Shazhad and Ali Raza in action Didsbury continued along at a steady rate of 4 runs an over. Shazhad in particular kept things in check accounting for 4 of didsburys top 5, the other a run out following sharp work by Jack critten in the covers. 

Consistent bowling and fielding from Mersey kept things tight for the rest of the innings. Haroon in particular taking his first wickets for Mersey on the way to a superb 4-31 and Didsbury were all out with a ball to spare for 166.

Gautam, making his first appearance for the 3’s this year, opened up with skipper Rob. After initially struggling with timing on the slow track Gautam found his flow as best he could and runs started to accumulate. Rob went early and Shazhad joined Gautam in the middle. A strong partnership of 93 for the 2nd wicket saw Gautam reach his 50 before he missed a straight one sweeping and was adjudged LBW. With their talisman gone Mersey still looked comfortable needing 55 off 14 overs and 8 wickets in hand. 

Things unravelled quickly however. The introduction of Singh into the attack by Didsbury proved decisive. Wickets fell at regular intervals and new batsmen struggled for timing on a difficult track. Singh with 4 wickets and Meena with 3 saw Mersey fall to 142 all out with 9 balls remaining and a disappointing 25 run defeat.