Fine bowling by McCullagh goes unrewarded
Darwen captain John Cordingley is bowled by Kieran McCullagh |
Darwen successfully defended their modest total of 119 to defeat Chorley at Windsor Park by three runs in an intriguing Latham Baxendale Twenty20 game on Friday evening.
The visitors bowled and fielded superbly and never gave up the ghost even when Chorley were seemingly cruising towards their target as they reached 67 for 1. Ian Oakes had given the home side's innings early impetus with 30 off 29 balls but when professionally JJ Smuts was well caught in the deep by Kamran Anwar for 23 Chorley still looked to have plenty in hand.
But the game changed in two balls from Darwen pro Mohammad Zaman Khan in the 18th over. Will Moulton fell to a well judged catch by Alex Davies and James Raynard was run out for 25 after sharp work by Chris Clarke to leave Chorley 105 for 4.
With Mohammad Zaman Khan turning the screw on his way to figures of two for 16 Chorley failed in their target of nine from the last over, Michael Critchley falling to a boundary catch by Andrew Cook. Chorley closed on 116 for 5 when a match which was a credit to the competition ended on a gloriously sunny evening just after nine o'clock.
Kamran Anwar was Darwen's top scorer with 32 |
Earlier Kamran Anwar, batting at no4, played a mature innings of 32 from 38 balls to help his side overcome the early loss of captain John Cordingley and their professional. He later conceded just 16 runs from his 4 overs and claimed two catches.
Chris Clarke (26 off 25 balls) and Mark Emery, who hit two huge sixes in his 15 helped Darwen set Chorley a target of six-an-over.
Kieran McCullagh bowled with fire and hostility to take four for 15, all of his victims being bowled.
Chris Clarke is bowled by Kieran McCullagh |
Clearly benefitting from a winter in Australia McCullagh bowled John Cordingley in his opening spell before accounting for Anwar, Emery and Clarke in his second after an outstanding display of left arm seam bowling.
Will Moulton, who accompanied McCullagh on his winter down under demonstrated his developing bowling prowess by taking three for 19.
Chorley's Twenty20 side in their new kit |
SCORES:
Darwen 119 (20) (Kieran McCullagh four for 15), Chorley 116 for 5 (20)
