Four games in two days for Berkshire
BERKSHIRE are brimming with confidence as they prepare to open their defence of the MCCA Twenty20 competition this coming Bank Holiday weekend.
The national champions start with two away Group 2 fixtures against Shropshire at Whitchurch on Sunday, followed by two more against neighbours Buckinghamshire at Wargrave on Monday, 11am and 2.30pm (approx) starts each day.
Berkshire have warmed up with doubles against
Wiltshire at North Maidenhead on Easter Sunday and Bedfordshire at Dunstable a week later.
In their opening game against Beds last Sunday, Berks made 132-7 with the bulk of their runs coming from three players.
Richard Morris blasted 54 off 39 balls, of which seven were dispatched to the boundary, while Joe Thomas hit 34 not out from 17 deliveries and Andy Rishton 13.
Beds replied with 124-7, Euan Woods taking 2-19 off his four overs.
The second game proved much easier for the visitors, dismissing their opponents or just 115 in 19.1 overs, Rhodri Lewis being the pick of the bowlers with 3-30 off four overs.
Woods claimed 2-13 from 3.1 overs, while there was a wicket apiece for Luke Beaven (1-19), Ali Raja (1-20), Savin Perera (1-6) and Rishton (1-11).
Rishton went on take the batting honours by blasting an unbeaten 53 off 41 balls with a six and six fours, dominating the bowling from the start which saw Berkshire race to 50 in the opening 6.2 overs.
He lost two partners – Perera
(4) and Lincoln (18) – before being joined by Morris and the Henley teammates saw their side home in just 13.4 overs, the latter contributing a quickfire 37 from 25 balls.
Lincoln, Woods, Rishton, Greatwood and Jack Davies have this week been on duty with Middlesex 2nd at their match against Hampshire 2nds on the Isle of Wight, while the hosts included Ollie Birts, a Berkshire regular last year.
Berkshire Women open their county championship campaign this weekend by playing Essex and Worcestershire on Sunday and Monday respectively (11am starts), both at North Maidenhead's ground at Summerleaze.