Lashings World XI 174-9 declared

Eastnor 178-6

EASTNOR all-rounder Josh Emery played the innings of his life to seal a memorable victory over a star-studded Lashings World XI at Clenchers Mill Lane.

The 22-year-old hammered three sixes and two fours in an unbeaten 34 from just 15 balls to steer Eastnor to victory.

Man-of-the-match Emery punished the spin of ex- England leggie Chris Schofield and struck a six over West Indian Courtney Walsh at mid-wicket.

In reply to Lashings’ 174-9 declared, Emery and Scott Roberts joined forces with 42 runs still needed for victory from 32 balls.

Perhaps fittingly, Roberts, who was born in Eastnor and has lived in the village for 24 years, hit the winning runs in Friday’s 30 overs-a- side showpiece.

Roberts clouted former England off-spinner John Emburey to the mid-wicket boundary to register the hosts’ success with nine deliveries remaining.

“It’s a dream come true to hit the winning runs - it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Roberts.

“I have played for Eastnor’s first-team a few times before - but not against players of that calibre. I will remember it for a long time.”

Guest batsman Henry Langford (58) and Eastnor’s Pakistani star Atiq (53) batted superbly for the hosts, taking them from 27-2 to 114-3 in the 21st over.

But, with quick runs needed, Eastnor slipped to 133-6 before Emery and Roberts thrilled the large crowd with their heroics.

Emery said: “I had a few nerves when I went out to bat but once we saw 10 runs needed off three overs we knew we could do it. We wanted to be there at the end.

“After playing against a team of ex-internationals, it feels unreal to be the player-of-the-match. I have always wanted to play in a cricket match like that - I loved it.

"I have played football in front of 10,000 people “Coming out to bat, there was a bit of pressure on me but I went with it.”

Earlier, Eastnor bowled and fielded superbly after Australian Ian Harvey (26) and Wasim Jaffer (69) had given Lashings a decent start.

The duo played some dazzling attacking strokes, putting on 43 for the opening wicket before Eastnor’s spinners struck back.

Lashings fell to 61-3 before former Pakistan Test ace Inzamam-ul-Haq (37) and Andrew Caddick (23) tried to lift the scoring rate.

Lashings team manager John Lever must have been impressed with the hosts’ fielding, which restricted the stars to an achievable total.

Lashings captain John Emburey declared the innings with three balls remaining.Ben Ford was the pick of Eastnor’s attack, taking 3-22 from five overs, while Atiq snapped up 2-21 and Jabran, 2-27, while Ishtiaq (1-28) also shone.

But when Walsh picked up two early wickets in his outstanding 2-9 opening spell, Eastnor’s innings looked in trouble at 27-2 from 5.4 overs.Langford and Atiq gradually got on top, with the former dispatching Devon Malcolm for three boundaries in an over.

They also dealt well with Caddick to set up one of Eastnor’s most famous triumphs.

Emery said: “We spoke to people before the game and were told that Lashings had been scoring more than 300 runs against other teams.

“When we restricted them to 174-9 our eyes lit up and we went for it.”

Former England bowler Caddick said: “It was a very good day and luckily the bad weather stayed away. I didn’t bowl too well to start with. “I have been suffering with my shoulder.”

He added: “Eastnor played really well and we didn’t get enough runs on the board.”

Eastnor skipper Clive Chadhani said: “This was the biggest crowd we have ever had at the ground. “We had a squad of 14 and the challenge was to give everyone a go.

“We batted all the way down and I was quietly confident about our chances.”

 

 

EASTNOR’S overseas all-rounder Atiq said he always wanted to face Courtney Walsh - and was delighted to hit the fast bowler for four.

“I wanted to face Courtney Walsh and I hit him for four runs so I am very happy,” he said.

“I played a couple of times in Pakistan against Inzamam, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Yousuf.

“But I had never played against Courtney and most of the other players.”

Walsh was the player with whom most fans had their photograph taken.

The West Indian was a big hit with the crowd, which included a group of lads dressed as women.

He enjoyed a post-match drink with Andy Stovold and was the last Lashings player to leave the Eastnor ground.

Atiq said: “This win goes to our chairman, Jim Sandford.

“This is my seventh year at Eastnor and I love it here. It is my second home.

The people are nice, they love cricket and I want to keep going. It’s fantastic to be part of this club.”

 

JAMIE Turner celebrated his 18th birthday with a stunning catch in the deep to remove Lashings’ opener Ian Harvey.

“I don’t normally take catches and Ian Harvey hit it pretty hard,” said the birthday boy.

“I don’t normally take any catches so Harvey was unlucky.

“It was a brilliant day and I want to thank Steve Hughes for organising it and getting me in the team.

“I spoke to Devon Malcolm before the game and told him we had a good side.”

 

EASTNOR stalwart Shahid Ahmed said he enjoyed coming up against Pakistani stars Inzamam and Wasim Jaffer.

“It was a special day and we enjoyed it. It was a dry wicket and it was hard to bowl against brilliant players like Inzy.”