Slough make competitive return as Finch claim victory on very final ball

Slough Cricket Club were competitive, but ultimately unsuccessful on their return to Home Counties Cricket League Division 1 on Saturday.

Their match against Finchampstead went right down to the wire but, with the outcome in the balance in the final over, the home side edged a fortunate four over third man and went on to take victory.

Slough must feel like they're not getting the rub of the green having also lost last weekend's T20 knock out game against Harefield based on having lost more wickets after that game ended in a tie!

Captain Nadeem Syed will admit they could have done better with the bat, making only 185 before being bowled out in the 45th over, however, Kashif Ali did at least make a stand, reaching 54 before he fell to Ollie Thilo (4-27).

But the game remained on a knife edge throughout Finchampstead's reply as Syed (3-47) and Raja Ikhlaq Nawaz (2-27) chipped away with wickets. Entering the final over the game could easily have swung Slough's way, with the home side needing five runs to win with just three balls to face. However, with a big slice of fortune going their way, they got the runs they needed off the final few balls to pick up 20 points to Slough's eight. They finished on 186-9.

“I thought we were very competitive,” said Syed. “We lost the game on the last ball when we had them nine down. It could have gone either way.

“They needed five off the last three balls and got an edge over the third man to get four.

“We were right in the game until the last ball so that was a positive.

“We could have batted slightly better and had a little bit more control over our extras, but I couldn't fault the effort.

“Sometimes in these kinds of games you're on the receiving end but this wasn't a one-sided affair. It was right on a knife edge to the last ball.

“We've also been struggling for availability. Dan (Lincoln) wasn’t available on Saturday and our overseas player isn't yet with us because of a visa delay but that isn't an excuse because we still have a strong squad. I'm hoping that our availability will get better and that will strengthen us as a team.

He added: “I have high hopes for the team, and I think we're looking in good shape. it's going to be a step up from Division 2 as there are some strong well-oiled machines in this league. It's going to be a challenge but it's one we're looking forward to.”