Spectators witnessed a fantastic game of cricket at the Valencia Cricket Ground when Levante and Madrid scored almost 700 hundred runs in a days cricket that offered victory to either side right up to the end of the game.
Batting first the hosts scored an impressive 347 all out. Rhys Morgan hit 151 for the home team, a record for any player representing Levante. Along with Graham Hunt he put on 174 for the second wicket, and a further 94 with Bruno Nunges for the third. Hunt and Nunges ended with 69 and 56 respectively. For Madrid, Ted Miller offered a tidy spell of bowling, and was rewarding with figures of three for 66 at the end of his eight overs.
Very few people expected Madrid to get close to the biggest ever league score posted at the VCG but Ollie Wrightson and Solanki had other ideas for the visitors. The pair put on 211 for the third wicket with Wrightson notching 172 and Solanki adding 69.
Keeping pace with the required run rate the vistors looked to be on track to complete a remarkable run chase, but finally ran out of overs requiring only six runs for a famous victory. Qasim with 2-49 and Nisar with 2-60 had the most productive bowling figures for Levante.
The final outcome, a win by 5 runs for Levante gave the hosts 20 points and Madrid secured a very worthy 10 points. Tomorrow is part two of the league double header and if today is anything to go by it will be well worth a stroll down the dry Riverbed in the centre of Valencia to enjoy a days cricket. Entrance is free and everyone is welcome.
