Holders Preston begin with a win
Bilal Asad is bowled by JJ Smuts for 51 |
Baxendale Cup Twenty20 experts Preston began their 2010 campaign with a resounding victory over Chorley in the Latham.
The cup holders earned a 49 runs win over Andy Holdsworth's side at a sun kissed West Cliff with professional Bilal Asad playing a leading role.
Bilal Asad was one of the few batsmen to play with any fluency on a slow paced West Cliff wicket, racing to 51 off 41 balls before he was bowled by Chorley professional JJ Smuts.
His opening partnership with David Fisher (25) realised 61 in 7 overs and got the home side off to a flyer. Pip McDonald then played superbly to hit 37 off 26 balls to help Preston to 154 for 6.
Chorley struggled in their reply, Smuts struggling to impose himself on an accurate attack with spinners Atul Sachdeva and Fisher combining to bowl eight overs for only 31 runs.
Smuts was involved in three run outs with James Raynard, Will Moulton and Kieran McCullagh the victims of fine fielding by Sachdeva, Jonty McDonald and Bilal Asad respectively.
Smuts reached a hollow 50 in the 19th over and was caught behind in the last over for 52 off 58 balls as Chorley closed well short on 105 for 5.
Pip McDonald made a valuable 37 for Preston |
SCORES:
Preston 154 for 6 (Bilal Asad 51), Chorley 105 for 5 (JJ Smuts 52)
