MADRID HAVE DOUBLE JOY FROM LA MANGA WEEKEND VISIT

MADRID VERSUS LA MANGA

Madrid vs. La Manga, 5th July 2009 at La Manga.

Compiled by: Tim Doust, Madrid Cricket Club

Madrid won by 109 runs.

Madrid were looking for their second victory of the weekend when they played against their bogey team, La Manga. As against Valencia Green, Madrid won the toss and decided to bat first. The opening pair, Mohammed Akmal (36) and Tariq Ali (67) made the most of the fielding restrictions and had put on 96 runs before the first wicket fell in the 12^th over. When the opening paid had been dismissed, La Manga regained some control with Tom Wine (4-57) picked up the opening 4 batsman. Malik Ali (82) came in after 18 overs, batting within himself while wickets were falling around him, and making sure there would be no collapse. Jon Woodward’s (31) arrival at the crease signalled the start of a period of big hitting, and when Jon was dismissed Malik took over, dragging the Madrid total to 274 all out, when after 35 overs it didn’t look like Madrid would score more than 230. Munid Ahmed (3-47) took the final wicket in the 45^th over.

When La Manga came to bat there was a steady fall of wickets with only Joel Brook (46) and Hugh James (34) offering serious resistance to the Madrid attack whose most effective bowler was Tariq Ali (3-24). After 31 overs La Manga needed 140 runs to win with only 1 wicket in hand, and it looked like the game would be wrapped up early; however, Tom Wine (10*) and George Wambeek (12) were determined to fight for every bonus point available and managed to survive until the last over when a run out closed the La Manga innings at 165.