Universities prove too much for England CAD

29 May 2006

Sam Malpass hits a four on his way to 99 not out

England CAD line up before the match

Skipper Sam Malpass (Killamarsh CC) ended one short of an unbeaten century as the Northern Universities beat England CAD by 133 runs to win the opening match of the Northern Rock International Series at Seaton Carew CC.

After outstanding work by the groundstaff at Seaton Carew, the game was able to start on time despite heavy rain all week. England won the toss and elected to bowl first, using the favourable conditions to snare Watson (Norton CC) early.

However, from there on the university batsmen applied themselves to provide a platform as Darwin (Stockton CC) 43 and Young (England CAD) 20 saw them through the difficult conditions. Their departure brought Malpass (99 not out) to the wicket, combining with Riddle (Hetton Lyons CC) 43 and Conway (Marton CC) to put on over 160 runs at seven an over as speed of running was combined with an ability to secure a boundary an over.

NUSC-CC Elite’s final score of 263 for five always looked to be too many for England, which it proved to be after a stunning display lead by captain Malpass, demonstrated on ball one by a fine Riddle run out.

Identical twins Darren and Sean Izzard (Hetton Lyons CC) proved a handful combined to the combative bowling of Kean (Norton CC), skilful Conway (Marton CC) and talented Connolly (Middlesbrough CC) to leave England 50 for eight.

England staged a valiant fight back through local Blyth Duncan (31 not out) and Dixon (38) only broken by another Riddle run out and a Darren Izzard quality outseamer leaving England all out on 130.

Director of Cricket for NUSC John D. Holland, commented: “It was one of the most ruthless team performances I have seen in 14 years which demonstrates the club’s ability to compete at the top level with Scotland and their five 1st X1 players in the next test on June 1.”

England’s next match will be against Pakistan while NUSC take on Peter Drinnen’s Scotland on June 1 and 2 completing their Northern Rock International Series for 2006.

Scorecard:

NUSC-CC Elite v England CAD, May 25 2006 (40 KB)