Academy & Colts

Colts lose at St. Annes

Lancashire Colts went down to a six wicket defeat against St Annes on Saturday in their ECB Northern Premier League match

Stand-in skipper Oliver Newby won the toss, and elected to bat at St Annes on a hard and dry wicket, but Sri Lankan overseas star Dinuka Hettiarachchi combined with Ben Willis to reduced the Colts visitors to 23-4 inside 13 overs.

Scott Friend was caught at first slip for 6, Mihraj Bhada was stumped for 4, the captain went for 6 (caught behind) and keeper Jack McGregor for 0 (stumped).

Wickets continued to tumble through the innings and only Ross Zelem with 22 and Charlie Taylor with 24 provided any resistance for the Colts side as they posted 100 all out in 43.3 overs.

Spinner Dinuka finished with a season best 7-32 including 7 maidens off 21.3 overs, while wicketkeeper Duncan Whalley showed excellent composure with 3 catches and 3 stumpings off Dinuka.

In response, St Annes lost Atiq-Ur Zaman for 15 (caught by Bhada) off Liam Hurt who returned 4 overs 1-19, and fellow opener Nanthesh Kirupuran for 4 (caught by Hurt) off Toby Lester who returned 1-13 off 6 overs to leave the home side 25-2 inside 10 overs.

Captain Andy Kellet with 28 not out and Dinuka’s 36 saw St Annes reach their target inside 30 overs, and winners by 6 wickets.

The Colts are next in action when they travel to Netherfield on Sunday, 12th June 2011.

Scott Churchman, Lancashire Colts Scorer