Cricket - Double derby success puts Netherfield in T20 driving seat (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Cricket - Double derby success puts Netherfield in T20 driving seat

9:42am Saturday 4th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

NETHERFIELD beat Kendal by 49 runs in the return NPL Twenty/20 match played at Parkside Road on Thursday, bringing closer the chance of the club hosting the competition's finals day.

A large crowd enjoying a perfect summer's evening watched Chris Parry's side completed three straight wins in their group - and they now go to Barrow on Friday (July 10).

If Netherfield emerge group winners they have a big pay-off with the right to host finals day on Sunday, July 26.

A win over Barrow would settle the issue outright and their superior run-rate at this stage means they are still in with an excellent chance.

According to the Northernr League stats man Mike Latham Netherfield have scored 488 runs in 60 overs (run-rate 8.13) to Barrow's 385 in 53 overs (run rate 7.26).

He states: "If Barrow, for example bat first and score 160 in 20 overs, Netherfield could still qualify if they lose so long as they score 110.

"If Netherfield bat first and score, for example, 160 in 20 overs, Barrow would have to knock off the runs in 14 overs to qualify."

In Thursday's derby duel, Netherfield's darting opening bat Craig Walmsley hammered 60 out of a score of 152-7.

Professional Glen Batticiotto was a big scalp, going to Stuart Parkin for one.

Walmsley apart, Netherfield's top order could not make much impact and at 89-5 it needed Chris Miller and Olly Hill's stand of 45 in over the final four overs to make it a competitive total.

Kendal's chance was blighted when strokeplayers professional Ross McMillan and Terry Hunte both went to catches taken by Parry in the deep.

Opener Gareth Ashburner hit 33 and Mark Phillips 17, but Kendla closed on 103-7.

The Northern League website commended the Netherfield and Kendal teams for their commitment to the T20 game, saying: Both Kendla derbies staged in the last week have shown up Northern League Twenty20 cricket in the best possible light and Netherfiled and Kendal are to be commended for their efforts."

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)