12th August 2017
Waltham Cross Rosedale II 115-10 34 overs
A sensational 106 from Rakib Ali led Greenwood Park to a 244 run annihilation of Waltham Cross Rosedale II’s.
The batsman was in imperious form all day, clattering 20 fours on his way to his maiden Saturday tonne for Park.
Ali’s total takes him to an incredible 234 runs for the season in just five innings – averaging an impressive 78 in the league.
There were also strong scores for Ed Gray, Chris Kent and Shafaat Hussain.
Gray and Kent both went past 50 (53 and 51 respectively), putting on 110 for the second wicket and setting a solid foundation for their side.
Hussain then took advantage of the strong position Park were in, smashing 73 including 12 fours and two sixes.
The all-rounder displayed serious power striking as he showed the opposition bowling attack no respect.
Some late-order hitting and clever running from Arslan Khan and Jimmy Otter (23 and 24*) further extended Greenwood’s enormous lead, as they fully vindicated Kent’s decision to bat – posting 359-6 from 50 overs.
Chasing such an imposing total, Waltham Cross’s very slim chances of winning were taken away by the fantastic Mubarak Zeb.
The spinner took 5-32 from nine overs as he demonstrated consistent turn and great attacking intent.
It was Zeb’s first five-wicket haul of the year and took his total league dismissals for the season to 20.
Khan chimed in with three wickets of his own and Vishal Pujari claimed two as Greenwood ran riot on their divisional rivals – bowling them out for 115 in 34 overs.
This Saturday Park travel to Offley & Stopsley in a huge promotion clash – just three points currently separating the two sides.
A win for either team will make them firm favourites to go up this campaign.
Greenwood Park Cricket Club 