Marshall leads by example with 92 for Cropston 2nd XI

CROPSTON 2ND XI travelled to Hinckley captained by wicket keeper Ross Marshall, with veteran Wayne Hunter making a return after several years in retirement.

The team also included county under 15 girl player Beth Raynor and 14-yearold Sion Khalifa.

Cropston batted first and had progressed to 71 for the loss of 3 wickets after 22 overs..Marshall then joined Tom Robertson-Ritchie at the wicket together they put together a partnership of 66 runs. Robertson-Ritchie was then dismissed for 57 in the 35rd over.

Marshall continued to hold the innings together, he was supported by Sion Khalifa who batted five overs for a single, allowing Marshall to continue his free scoring innings.

From their 45 overs Cropston posted a score of 221 for the loss of 5 wickets with Marshall remaining undefeated on 92 not out following his 48 not out from last week.

Hinckley’s openers were pinned down by Cropston’s opening bowlers Ian Cooper and Sion Khalifa who bowled his 5 over allocation for a return of 0 wickets for 12 runs.

Cooper’s return was 11 overs, three maidens three wickets for 28 runs.

With the result in the balance Marshall turned to the off spin of David Allen who tied down an end and bowled unchanged for a return of 5 wickets for 19 runs.

With the last pair at the wicket Marshall brought on Beth Raynor in an attempt to win the game.

She bowled two overs for 2 runs and the Hinckley tail enders hung on, leaving their innings on 117 for the loss of 9 wickets as Cropston took the majority of the points from this winning draw.

Another excellent weekend from captain Ross Marshall with the bat and bringing out the best in his players.