Tom a hit as 300 is topped on Rec

ASHBOURNE’S batting came good at last as they topped 300 on the Rec on their way to a 70-run win over Kirk Langley in Division Six South at the weekend.

They shuffled the batting order after problems with getting enough runs for much of this season and it paid off.

Winning the toss, captain Charith De Silva chose to back his batters and Abhi Bidari was the new opening partner for Marcus Bateman.

The pair put on 58 to give the team a base they have not had this season.

Bidari was out for 33 and Muhammad Khan did not last long but then Asher Alam and Bateman added 113 for the third wicket, Alam quickly taking advnatage of some loose bowling.

He raced to 76 from 36 balls, with 15 fours and a six, while Bateman had advanced to 48 by the time his partner was out.

Bateman made it to 63, his first halfcentury of the season, before he was bowled but there was no respite for the Kirk Langley bowlers.

Tom Jordan was already into his stride and hit 68 not out from 43 balls, with 11 fours and a six to carry Ashbourne to a total of 307-6 from their 45 overs.

“It was a superb batting performance this week,” said Bateman, the club chairman.

“We made use of a solid start, seeing off their main two bowlers, and then cashed in when the situation became easier.

“Asher and Tom put on a great display of aggressive hitting and, on a personal level I was pleased to finally contribute some runs this season.”

Kirk Langley had no option but to try to chase the runs, with draws not an option in the higher divisions of the league and they made a decent fist of it without threatening to win.

Praful Gehlot (51), Daanyaal Fraz (66) and Alex Walker (53) all made good contributions but tight spells from Arsherr Fernando (2-46 from 10 overs) and Sahir Alam (1-24 from eight overs) kept them in check and Mohammed Haroon chipped in 2-26 from three overs as the innings closed at 237-5.