Following a distinct defeat to mid-table East Kilbride, league-toppers Paisley would have seemed to be a tough adversary for Glasgow Accies Midweek XI, but the well-drilled team executed the task with a great team spirit and energy.
Khalid’s Innings :p
Having won the toss, young skipper, Corrie Dick, sent in Kiwi Keeper Khalid and Ross Beattie to see off the new ball.
The duo went about their assignment convincingly, with Beattie doing most of the donkeywork while Khalid played himself in for some explosives later on.
After 5.2 overs, at 22 runs, Anthony Revell was called upon to do his bit, Beattie having been caught out by a head-height no-ball candidate.
Being hit on the foot by fiery paceman Imran… something, Khalids quick running between the wickets was briefly blighted, so he hit harder.
Anthony played himself in nicely, ‘hitting’ a four in his knock, duly aided by an excitable substitute fielder, and his powerful arm.
After 20 overs, the total had accumulated to 128; an enchanting innings, and a well structured knock from Khalid Suleiman- well played.
Accies Time!
Clearly what was on their minds as the Paisley batsmen took their guard, was not preserving their wicket- with 6 an over to beat, 6s were what they were after. But lefty and righty, bish and bash, Nik and Nish restricted them well- aided by the first decent field placements of the season (…sorry folks). Nish’s no-wicket spell was not devoid of opportunity, and Nik’s [4-0-8-2], would have undoubtedly become 3-for, had he not been cut short.
The next two, bowling in tandem, were Anthony Revell, and Mike Callaghan- bowling for the first time for the Midweek XI, and they did themselves justice vivaciously.
Anthony’s metronomic action spurred three miscues- two of which were downed by Satwant Uppal and, more notably, Nik Stone, who appeared to grab the ball after it has whizzed at least a metre past his head in his whiplash-triggering backwards dive.
Anthony finished after 3 overs with 19-2.
Mike also bowled tidily, bowling patient Paisly opener, ‘Raj’ who had scored 18 runs- a valuable wicket.
Wajid Bashir then came on to spin a web- and quickly exculpated two foes, later completing his 3-for, and preventing Alasdair Wilson from his first Midweek XI over.
Ross Beattie was given an over, his previous two deliveries for an Accies team- around a month ago for the U18s- had been wickets. And I can’t make this sound profound- he went and bloody got a hat-trick!! So I hope he gets the match ball, I know I’m saving it- though I’d love to use it again next game as it seems to work a bit.
Roundup
A captivating and uplifting match, silencing our leading promotion rivals, a team member completing a breathtaking hat-trick, great fielding and team spirit.
Lads, I’m damn proud.
Keep it up, next match Thursday.
Coz