WHILE England face Australia in the Cricket World Cup semi-finals at Edgbaston today, Thursday, Warrington cricketers have had their own taste of facing players from Down Under.
Since last Tuesday five games have taken place against four different Aussie touring sides at Walton Lea, with the hosts winning only one of them!
All eyes were on the under 15s game on Friday against Sydney-based Wanderers Australia, while the Australian Crusaders also provided the opposition in other matches.
A guard of honour was provided by children aged five to eight on the All Stars programme, national anthems were played and then captains Luca Williams for Warrington and Harry Snymon for the Wanderers exchanged pennants before the game started.
The Warrington and Wanderers Australia teams for Friday night's tour match at Walton Lea
Harry Snymon and Wanderers’ player of the match Matt Hield, retired 50 not out, helped the visitors to 180-7 in 25 overs.
Rishek Manta, the Warrington player of the match, took the wickets of both openers.
Warrington started their innings brightly enough but managed 76-8 in 25 overs.
* ALL three Grappenhall Cricket Club sides lost their games, largely down to failures with the bat.
The firsts fell at Cheadle by two wickets after posting 128 all out. Ben Bodha was the top-scorer with 38.
In reply the bowlers worked hard and were unlucky not to win the game for Grappers.
Olly Knight, Arran McCabe and Adam Roylance picked up two wickets apiece.
Grappers just fell short in the final reckoning.
The seconds were well beaten at home by Cheadle after failing to chase down the visitors’ 206-5.
Jack Critchley was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets.
Grappers were rolled for 108, Paul Radage and Jack Critchley with 36 and 34 respectively, the only batsmen showing form.
The thirds lost at Hyde on a poor wicket.
Grappers were 141 all out having recovered from 75-7 at one stage. Skipper Paul Tyerman was the top scorer with 30.
The Grappers bowlers failed to use the pitch as well as the Hyde attack. David Seed was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets but Hyde chased down the total with six overs to spare, six wickets down.
* APPLETON are still seeking their first league win but picked up vital points at Hawk Green.
They struggled to 141-9 from their 45 overs, Ali Shariff hitting 58, but the hosts romped home inside 28 overs.
The seconds were also defeated at Lyons Lane by Maritime’s seconds.
Having been 97-1 after 25 overs, a middle-order collapse saw the hosts bowled out for 154.
A 120-run partnership saw Maritime home with 16 overs to spare.
The fourths completed a miserable weekend for Appleton as they slumped to defeat at Holmes Chapel.
David Lomas hit 71 in a stand of 115 for the second wicket with Marcus Pepper (48), but the middle order struggled to keep momentum and Appleton could only post 153-5 from their 40 overs.
In response Holmes Chapel reached their target with two overs to spare.
Appleton’s thirds were awarded all 25 points as their opponents, Mossley’s seconds, conceded the game.
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