Wiltshire CCC fall to defeat in Marlborough Cup

Wiltshire CCC v Berkshire CCC – Marlborough Cup @ Marlborough CC 26^th July 2020

Berkshire won the toss and elected to field.  This was looking like a good decision as wickets began to tumble. Jake Goodwin 12 and Uzi Qureshi 15 put on 26 for the first wicket, but the unpredictable bounce caused the batsmen problems.  Jake Lintott 31 and Ben Draper 10 put on 25 until Ben became the 6^th wicket to fall with the score on just 75.  Wiltshire then lost a flurry of wickets to Luke Beaven who finished with 5 for 26.  At 82 for 9 the situation was looking bleak, but a last wicket partnership of 27 (the best of the innings!) between Luke Evans 15 and Joe King 11 not out added the repectability of a three figure score as Wiltshire were eventually bowled out for 109 in 32.1 overs.

Berkshire began their reply positively after a rain break.  Jack Davies 15, in particular looking aggressive and attempting to avoid the unpredictability of the pitch by meeting the ball several paces down the track.  Carter was the first wicket to fall as he skied one from Luke Evans to be caught by wicketkeeper Ben Draper. Luke Evans then claimed the wicket of Jack Davies as he knocked back his off stump.  Berkshire now 27 for 2 and Wiltshire’s hopes raised. The introduction of spin saw Joe King and skipper Ed Young each take a wicket, but that was as good as it got for Wiltshire.  Dan Lincoln 53 not out including two massive 6’s (one of which landed on a car windscreen!) saw them safely home on 110 for 4 after just 19.2 overs.  Luke Evans was the pick of the Wiltshire bowlers with 2 for 22 from his 5 overs. Ed Young then had the task of presenting the Marlborough cup to Berkshire skipper Richard Morris. No disgrace in losing to a strong Berkshire side in a game which was probably decided on the toss.