Article by Paul Smith (Stumped4Words)
George Land and Ollie Davidson shared seven wickets as Harborne claimed a six wicket Birmingham Premier League Division Two home win over Dorridge.
But this seemingly comfortable success came from the most unpromising of starting points as the Solihull-based visitors raced to 85 in the day’s opening ten overs.
However, once Jasper Davidson dismissed the dangerous Luke James for a 29-ball 54, Land’s frugal ten-over spell quickly put the shackles on Dorridge’s middle order before slow left-armer Davidson blew away the tail.
And after Karan Bharaj (45) continued his fine start to the season, an unbroken 65-run sixth-wicket stand between Tejas Wagle and skipper Tom Arnold saw Harborne to the finishing line with nine overs remaining.
Following last week’s opening day tie at West Bromwich Dartmouth this result left Harborne as one of only three unbeaten teams in the division and Arnold understandably delighted.
“We didn’t bowl especially well in the powerplay,” he said, “and Dorridge got off to a bit of a flyer.
“But after that George built pressure really well and as a result there were a few loose shots played which brought wickets.
“Ollie then bowled superbly in the closing stages and to keep them to 194 was a job well done.
“There was a bit in the pitch for everyone and although we had a goodish start with the bat with Karan playing well again it was a bit in the balance when I joined Tejas.
“Thankfully we managed to stick in and go on to win the game as the ball got older.”
James struck eight boundaries and two sixes in his whirlwind knock and with opening partner Joe Dodd adding a 41-ball 32 Dorridge raced to 85.
However, after Jasper Davidson (2-51) removed the dangerman, Land soon saw off Dodd before claiming the scalps of Daniyal Khan and the dangerous Ben Shepperson in a superb spell in which he conceded only 26 runs from ten immaculate overs.
Thereafter, although Zakariya Paruk battled his way to 38, the remainder of the visitors’ lower order had few answers to Ollie Davidson – the seventh bowler used – who claimed 4-15 from eight overs.
As a result, Dorridge were bowled out in 45 overs for 194 and left needing early wickets if they were to turn the match around.
Veteran seamer David Ball obliged by claiming the prized scalp of Indian pro Swapnil Gugale for 21, and when Harborne were 76 for three, the visitors scented opportunity.
However Bharaj, who struck two sixes and four boundaries in his fluent 66-ball knock, steadied the home ship while adding 53 with fourth wicket partner James Hunt.
And although both fell in quick succession, once Wagle (24no) and Arnold, who found the rope six times in his unbeaten 31, were into their stride Harborne eventually cruised to victory in the 41st over.
Ball and Paruk claimed two wickets apiece for Dorridge.
