It was an early group stage exit for the University of Salford cricket side as they took part in Liverpool John Moore’s University Sixes cricket tournament.
Salford were placed in a group with Sandbach Cricket Club and Manchester Metropolitan University Cricket and their first game was Sandbach. The tournament format points system was not about winning or losing as runs scored, wickets taken and wickets lost taken into consideration.
Jamie Bendy won the toss for Salford and was elected to field first. Five overs meant Salford had to bowl tightly and not concede many runs. The powerplay meant runs were doubled and Sandbach finished on 88 losing one wicket from their five overs. Salford had to score at 17 runs an over if they were to win the game. A lack of boundaries increased the run rate and made the total out of reach as batters tried to swing hard and score sixes and fours, but Salford fell short of the first innings total.
It was the first time Salford competed in this short fast format. Salford batter Sabarees Raja said: “I would definitely play it again and now we know the format.”
Salford took a squad of 11 which allowed players to experience the format they might have never played before. Before the final group game against Manchester Metropolitan University the team discussed a plan for the game after looking at the points table. From this, Salford had to bat first as a low scoring win would not put them into the knockout stage. Big hitter Henry Tallis Cowell opened the batting.
Tight bowling from the opposition and Salford only scored 34 runs in their five overs despite a later fight back from wicket-keeper Sam Butler who hit a couple of boundaries. The game was over after the first six balls as it knocked Salford out of the competition in the group stage.
Captain Jamie Bendy said: “Obviously the results were disappointing and to lose but the main thing is we had fun.”
Focus now turns to the new season as they begin indoor training at the Albion Academy in Salford.
Recent Comments