ECCL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE GETS UNDER WAY

It was an early start to this year’s ECCL Premier Division and it was Madrid United who headed straight to the top of the league with a convincing victory over Valencia Stars.

The game was played in a mixture of full sunshine and an howling gale that required the bails to be removed fom the stumps on numerous occasions.

Madrid United batted first and scored 168 all out in their innings. Valencia Star’s Arshad Mahmood starred with the ball taking five wickets for just 20 runs.

The Madrid United bowling attack were even more destructive in the field. They were skittled out for just 55 in the 22nd over with Madrid’s skipper Tauqueer Hussain took five wickets for just an handful of runs.

Madrid took 17 points from the game whilst Valencia Stars received 5 points (all from their bowling performance). 

Thanks to Vince O’Reilly for officiating the game and his whimsical match report..

“The opening match of the 2018  ECCL Division I in La Manga on 29 April was neither exciting nor filled with tension.  It appears that this was advertised in advance because even the proverbial one man and his dog failed to turn up.

The stage was occupied exclusively by Madrid United, Valencia Star and a solitary umpire.  Madrid won the toss, decided to bat, and failed to complete their overs for an unexpectedly low 168 all out. Vanencia´s Arshad Mehmood who had five for 20 was the principal destroyer. No one impressed with the bat.  

Madrid tore into the Valencia batting and dismissed them for 55 in over 22.  Madrid´s skipper took 5 wickets for very little. 

The game was played in full sunshine and a howling gale that required the bails to be removed during a number of spells.”