Edgware secure invincibility and promotion in rain affected finale
Edgware Cricket Club will be playing Division 10 cricket next season after they secured promotion with a 9-wicket win against Old Minchendenians II at Bramley Road Sports Ground.
Put into bowl with heavy rain forecast for the afternoon, Sajith Sriwickramasekaran finally delivered on what he has been threatening for some time, a 5-wicket haul. The left-armer bowled with fantastic pace and accuracy in his 8-over spell that saw him remove Old Minch's top 5 batsmen and reduce the hosts to 21-5 within the first 15 overs. Following Sajith's electric opening spell in which he ended with 5/13 off 8 overs, Tushyam Sonecha bowled expertly to claim 2/19 off his 8 overs as his brilliant season continues. Jaimin Patel bowled well as always to claim another wicket in his quest for leading wicket-taker whilst debutant Rueben Ard took a single wicket in his bowling debut to finish with 1/31 off his 2 overs.
Amongst the carnage, Old Minch managed to recover their innings slightly thanks to a hard-hitting 33 from Prakash Pandey and 23 from number 10 Vishwant Reddy as the hosts passed 100 with rain clouds forming. As the game ticked past the 33.4 over mark, the heavens opened and both sets of players were forced to declare an early tea and seek shelter from the heavy rain and lightning that followed.
It was not looking great for Edgware at the halfway stage with a heavy pool of water forming on the outfield and pitch itself. However, some brilliant groundskeeping from the hosts saw the water promptly removed and after an hour or so of drying, Edgware were able to get back on the pitch to chase down a revised 72 off 20 overs for victory. Ciaran Hosty and Jeet Swaminarayan started aggressively, with Ciaran Hosty flicking his 3rd delivery over the leg side boundary for 6 before being bowled by Mark Hanrahan for 11 as the rain threatened to delay proceedings yet again.
The victory however, was never in doubt as Shuraj Vekaria (25*) and Jeet Swaminarayan (33*) put on an unbeaten 55 for the second wicket to claim a comprehensive 9-wicket win for the visitors and ensure Cheshunt Rosedale could not surpass their points total next week in the season finale.
A special thank you to all of the Edgware players who took part in the Hertfordshire Saturday Cricket League this year. To go any league season unbeaten takes some effort and the squad has shown great resilience and professionalism to get the job done. We look forward to watching the club progress again in 2024.
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