CRICKET: WARWICK maintained a secure 35 point lead at the top of the Warwickshire Cricket League Division Five after earning a winning draw at home to Pak Shaheen.
Skipper Matt Warren won the toss – his first correct call at the flip of a coin in nine games – and elected to bat on a hard but green deck.
As usual the opening partnership of Burke (37) and Passey (14) got Warwick off to a good start – scoring 57 for no loss – both were quickly dismissed until both were dismissed leaving the score on 61/2.
Out of form skipper Warren and young gun James Sood both arrived at the crease.
Warren was handed a lifeline when he was dropped while on six, but his determination shone through as the pair went on to post a 118 partnership.
Star of the innings went to 18-year-old Sood (137) though who scored a century from just 67 balls to help Warwick post a huge 334 from their 50 overs.
Adam Southourn also impresed with the bat scoring 48*.
Pak Shaheen knew they had a large target to chase down in order to obtain a win.
Bowlers Osborne and Bhatti took two wickets a piece as the visiting side found themselves on 64/4 off 22 overs.
Pak Shaheen’s middle order batsmen knew that the game was over and knew a losing draw would be their best result.
Despite a lot of bowling and fielding changes, Warwick struggled to dismiss number five batsmen Mohib (39) until Ashu Sharma had him sky one into the air for Bhatti to catch.
Warwick thought they had a chance with 14 overs left to get the final four wickets, but experience from Asad Khan (41*) helped Pak Shaheen to a total of 186/7 from their 50 overs.
Warwick finished taking 17 points from the game.
