TheBlindJournalist: David Townley Twenty20 Memorial Cup Report

BCEW David Townley Memorial Twenty20 Cup Finals Day Report.

 

TheBlindJournalistreports from London.

 

It has been a record breaking and history making season this year for the Lancashire Lions and they added to their landmarks when Captain Sheraz Chohan led his side to the Twenty20 Finals Day, for the first time in the club's history, after they beat a BCEW side on 1st August.

 

The Finals Day took place in Highgate, London on Saturday 19th September. Four teams had reached this stage; the Lancashire Lions, Sussex Sharks, London Metro and the Warwickshire Bears.

 

As Captain Sheraz Chohan went up for the draw, his players eagerly awaited the result to find out who they would be playing in the semi-finals. The outcome was that Lancashire would face league champions Warwickshire.

 

The match toss was won by the Lions who bowled first. Usman Afridi opened the bowling to Justin Hollingsworth. However, he was no challenge for the Lions as he was caught out by Wasim Afridi off Usman Afridi's bowling. Warwickshire's other key batsman, Luke Sugg, was also no threat to Lancashire as he was caught and bowled by Mohammed Janaid. The Lions had control of the innings from start to finish.

 

Warwickshire, who usually obliterate teams by putting up scores that can't be reached, were stuck between a rock and a hard place because of Lancashire's dominance throughout. The plan and tactics of Captain Sheraz proved to be downfall of one of the best batting partnerships in the blind cricket world. 

 

At the end of the first innings Warwickshire could only manage to put 133/5 on the scoreboard. Amjad Khan, Sheraz Chohan and Arslan Sabir all bowled very well which cocooned the Bears because they couldn't hit out.

 

Following a galvanising speech from the Captain, Usman and Wasim Afridi came out to bat. They both combined well until Usman Afridi was run out with 60 on the board. However, Wasim stepped up to the mark and combined with George Ferguson to see the game off in 16 overs. The Lions won by eight wickets.

 

This victory saw the Lancashire Lions through to the final but this result in itself was a massive achievement for the Lions as Warwickshire were the only team they hadn't beaten this season. Warwickshire were no match for the excellent performance by every player in the Lions team.

 

Sussex were the winners of their semi-final against London Metro which meant it was a Sharks V Lions Final.

 

Sussex won the toss and sent Lancashire into bat. Usman and Wasim Afridi opened the batting. Sussex were an excellent fielding side and took many catches and opportunities. Their ground fielding was superb. Usman Afridi made 41 before he was caught out. George Ferguson and Sheraz Chohan then came up to balance the game. Captain Sheraz anchored his innings and did his job superbly to keep George on strike, who was on fire. They both combined for a 40 plus partnership. George made 63 off the bat. The Lions totalled 149/7.

 

After a quick break Lancashire came out to bowl. Captain Sheraz Chohan's bowling sent shivers down the spine of Sussex Captain, Si Legwith. Si was caught out off Sheraz's bowling with 11 runs to his name. Sheraz bowled very well in this game also. His figures were three overs for 20 runs and two wickets. Arslan Sabir also made a name for himself as his bowling was economical and very fast. His figures were 3 overs for 10 runs.

 

Amjad Khan caught out Sussex's Ian Morris with a superb catch. Sussex kept chipping away at the score but Lancashire also kept fighting and took the final to the last over. The pressure fell on Mohammed Salim Patel to bowl the final over. Sussex needed 7 runs of 6 bowls. Salim said "I was flapping like a fish out of water" but he bowled very well and took the game to the last bowl.

 

Sussex managed to reach their target and lifted the trophy. The Lions had made history for themselves as they'd reached the final for the first time and managed to take their opponents to the very last bowl.  Credit to Lancashire's Captain and every player that played a part in getting Lancashire to where they were.

 

As well as Lancashire's Development team winning the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust Development Festival and being the runners up in the Development League, the club's successes didn't stop there. The National side had also made leaps of their own. They finished second in the National League, their highest position since the club's inception three years ago. They also reached the semi-finals of the British Blind Sport Primary Club Heindrich Swanepoel Memorial Cup by beating, the then, cup holders Sussex Sharks. To top it all off, and end the season on an even bigger high, Lancashire's Twenty20 side reached the final of the cup and took it to the last bowl of the match but only just lost to the Sussex Sharks.

 

There were also many personal achievements for a lot of the players:
Usman Afridi won the "Best Partial Batsman Of The Year Award" for making over 900 runs off the bat.

 

Wasim Afridi won the "Most Promising Player Of The Year Award"

 

Sheraz Chohan won the "Best Low Partial Player Of The Year Award" Sheraz also was the Captain for both cups which the Lions had entered.

 

Martin Robson won the "Best Total Bowler Of The Year Award" for taking 10 wickets. Martin was also Captain of the National side which finished second.

 

Amanda Large was also a nominee for the Female Player Of The Season Award.

 

There were a few fresh faces this season also but every debutant played their part in each and every game they played.

 

So, overall it has been an exceptional year in every aspect for the Lions, who will now have a break before they commence winter training in preparation for next season.

TheBlindJournalist: Brian Johnston Memorial Trust Development Festival Report

Brian Johnston Memorial Trust Development Festival Report.


TheBlindJournalistreports from Leicester.


This report is sponsored by Performance Fluids Limited.


It was a very early start for the players on Saturday morning as they travelled to Leicester to play in the anual BJMT Development Weekend. However, they did not show their fatigue as they got stuck into their first match. This was prior to a very motivating and mature Captain's speech by 18 year-old, Tahseen Sabir.


The Lancashire side consisted of two debutants to the game in the form of youngster Aman Raja and Ayaz Ali. The side also had 5 players who had never played in the Development Festival before.
Lancashire's first match was against the Gloucestershire Growlers. Lancashire won the toss and bowled first. Young star Usman Afridi opened the bowling and went on to take two wickets. Wasim Afridi also caused two death rattles. The Growlers managed 63 for 6.


Amelia Robertson and Michael Dickson combined to chase this score down and both ran very well to achieve their target to win the first match for Lancashire.


The Lions second fixture was against the Dorset Dolphins. The toss was won by Dorset who chose to bowl first. The Lions were eager to get going as they had the momentum from their last victory. Arslan Sabir and Michael Dickson opened the batting. Tahseen Sabir, Michael Dickson and Wasim Afridi all made 25 not out. Mohammed Salim Patel added to the score by hitting 14 off the bat, his highest score yet. Lancashire made 127 for 4.


When it came to bowling, Amjad Khan got two wickets. Ayaz Ali also took a key wicket, removing a top order batsmen. Amelia Robertson showed her agility and skill as she took on the role of wicket keeper. The youngster did a great job. The final result being 57 for 3, rendering another victory for the Lions.


The third match of the day was the Lancashire Lions Vs the Barkshire Stags. The Stags won the toss and put the Lions into bat first.


Tahseen Sabir and Kieran Kelly opened the batting. The Captain hit some elegant shots and retired after making 25 not out. Wasim Afridi also did the same by smashing a quick firing 27 not out. The Lions made 106 for 5.


When it came to the bowling Arslan Sabir, Wasim Afridi and Usman Afridi all took wickets. Lancashire won by 89 runs.


As the Lions moved to pitch 1 for their final match of the day, they were fired up to stay unbeaten and did exactly that. The match was against Surrey VICC who won the toss and batted first. Usman Afridi opened the bowling for the Lions. Surrey were bowled out for 49. Usman Afridi and Amelia Robertson both took wickets. Tahseen Sabir and Aman Raja opened the batting. Debutant Aman played exceptionally well for his first ever batting appearance and made 7 runs off the bat. Tahseen Sabir helped clinch the victory with another 25 not out.


The Lions showed their dominance by winning all four of their matches with ease and confidence.


On Sunday the Lancashire Lions faced the Kent Spitfires. The toss was won by the Lions who batted first.


As soon as Wasim Afridi picked up his bat it was as if he hadn't slept. The youngster continued his form from the previous day by hitting several death touches off the bat to make 25 not out. Lancashire made 102 for 2.


Captain Tahseen Sabir gathered his players around and after a quick speech the Lions roared and headed out for part two of the innings.


Arslan Sabir opened the bowling for the Lions and went on to take a wicket. Usman Afridi and Tahseen Sabir also did the same. Arslan Sabir played extremely well in this match. Arslan stopped several boundaries with some sublime fielding.


Kent could only manage 53 runs which meant Lancashire had won their fifth consecutive match. This match was played in great spirits between both sides. This victory took the Lancashire Lions through to the Final of the BJMT Festival.


After lunch the Lions came out to play in the final. There opponents were the Barkshire Stags.


The toss was won by Barkshire who put the Lions into bat. Arslan Sabir and Usman Afridi opened the batting. Both retired with 25 not out. Mohammed Salim Patel then came in and hit 10 off the bat, totalling 40 for him throughout the weekend. In the final over Amjad Khan and Aman Raja combined for a 35 runs partnership which resulted in the Lions making 145 for 5.


Wasim Afridi was the opener for the bowling. Usman Afridi took two wickets, one of which was a great caught and bowl that got rid of a key batsmen for the Stags. Captain Tahseen Sabir also took two wickets. Amjad Khan and Mohammed Salim Patel weren't shy to take wickets of their own and got one each. Salim also took a great catch. Every player for the Lions stepped up to the mark. Youngsters Amelia Robertson and Michael Dickson also bowled economical overs and Kieran Kelly did the same. The Stags could only manage 77 for 7 which meant the mighty Lancashire Lions were winners of the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust 2015 Development Festival. An all round excellent performance by every player throughout the weekend in every game. Usman Afridi and Mohammed Salim Patel were both strong contenders for Man Of The Match in the final. Not forgetting Coach and Mentor Sheraz Chohan who worked tirelessly before the festival to get all his players down. Sheraz was the glue of the team as he was on the sidelines of every match shouting encouragement and praise throughout each game. His advice and support meant that every player was galvanised. This victory is dedicated to him.


As the festival drew to a close the Lions accepted their winners medals and gave their final roar before heading back home.

TheBlindJournalist: Blind Cricket Match Report

Saturday 29th August 2015 Match Report, Lancashire Lions Vs Somerset VICC
TheBlindJournalistreports from Manchester.
Sponsored by SoundSphere Magazine.
On a day where the Red Rose recorded a historic Twenty20 cup triumph, the Lions weren’t going to be missing out on creating their own piece of history as they hosted Somerset VICC in the BCEW National League at Our Lady’s High School.

Somerset won the toss and put Lancashire into bat first. With opener Usman Afridi already having set new club records by knoching up his maiden centuries in back to back matches in the BBS cup 133 not out  against Sussex and 171 against league champions Warwickshire. Another high score seemed imminent but what unfolded throughout the course of the day will likely never be repeated in blind cricket on these shores again.

Usman wasted no time as he took control of the innings by dispatching the first over for 21 runs and soon bringing up the 50 run partnership with Sheraz Chohan, the latter departing cheaply. Usman continued to smash the bowling all around the ground without taking any risks in the process, bringing up his third century in another productive partnership with Captain Martin Robson. The drinks break brought no restbite as Wasim Afridi joined Usman in the 14th over. Wasim immediately got himself into the groove with some elegant looking drives and death touches to send the ball to the boundaries.  With the field ran ragged Usman brought up his double century and took the total over 300 whilst Wasim reached his half century in no time.

With continued excitement from the bench as the team surpassed their previous best highest team scores of 272 and then 321 and as information started to be relayed of runs needed to break both the individual and team highest scores, new records looked in sight.

It was time to stand and deliver as Usman brought up his 250 with his first six of the innings with some phenomenal batting with pin point dissecting of the field as he took the run rate over 15 by taking the final 5 overs at almost 20 an over.

In the 27th over Usman Afridi became a record breaker as he finished on 283 not out off just a 127 balls in which he hit 41 4’s and a six to set a new British Record for the highest individual score and in the process posting the highest domestic team total of 427-2 declared, with Wasim Afridi contributing 67 runs in an unbeaten partnership of 237 for the third wicket.

Usman demonstrated the kind of skill, understanding and maturity that is shown by experienced international cricketers in the top echelons. Since making his debut in 2013 along with Wasim for the development side, it wasn’t going to be long before they both made their first team debuts and surely the Lions couldn’t have asked for a better first season from the pair this year.

The tea break provided some restbite but the task ahead of under strength Somerset became even more daunting when Muhammed Janaid, the left arm fast prolific bowler removed the top order to finish with 3 wickets, alongside Captain Martin who took two wickets. The first being a stunning low catch by Tahseen Sabir who dived across the pitch to take the ball inches from the ground. Sheraz continued to chip in with another wicket as he clean bowled a defensive middle order batsmen. Tahseen claimed another catch as he sharply moved to take a deflection of Martin’s head and then forced the final batsmen to chop on and help skittle Somerset all out for just 46 in the 14th over to hand the Lions a record winning margin of 381 runs.

This victory leaves the Lancashire Lions a draw away in the final game against Sussex to guarantee a second place finish in the National League with a Twenty20 finals day to look forward to on the 19th September.