Cricket club are given a batting lesson

Jun 17 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL’S cricketers were given a batting lesson in Ayr against Cambusdoon on Saturday and were soundly beaten in their Brunton Miller Wester Union Division Two fixture.

The hosts posted an impressive 275 for 4 and although Motherwell’s run chase was on course for the first 10 overs, they collapsed to 129 all out, taking only four bonus points from the defeat.

On a superb wicket and a fast outfield, Cambusdoon took full advantage of the conditions.

Motherwell didn’t bowl badly but, with the ball coming onto the bat, the batsmen played their shots and frequently found the boundary.

The three McCrossan brothers all scored 50s but one ended up with a broken nose after top-edging a John Frame delivery.

Hoseifa's leg-spin contained the batsmen for a period and in the later overs, Alaguraja picked up three wickets, including an excellent catch off his own bowling.

Khurram also took a sharp catch at gully and despite the run feast the fielding held up reasonably well on a hot day.

In reply, Joe Grieg (43) and Hoseifa (27) got the Motherwell innings under way with some exciting cricket and momentarily had the Cambusdoon side worried but the introduction of spin turned the game.

Chasing the game, batsmen continued to play big shots but only succeeded in giving the opposition some catching practice.

Of the middle order, only Peter Keay (18) looked likely to turn the game until he too was out to a superb catch.

Motherwell were dismissed for 129, well beaten by a better team. Despite the defeat, all four under-18 players for Motherwell bowled and will have learned from the experience.

Meanwhile, the 2nd XI, Home Park, took part in an exciting drawn match against Windyedge in Glasgow. The visitors gave away too many runs in the field asWindyedge got off to a flyer but fought back well to dismiss them for 217.

Youngster Zeeshan was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets.

Umeer's 31 was the top score in Home Park's reply, well supported by Alex Fraser (24 not out) and Andrew Dougan (18), but wickets fell regularly and they were forced to hold on for a draw at 159 for 9, which won them nine points.