Kadeer Ali hits ton for Staffordshire
Skipper Kadeer Ali led by example as he got a ton on the first day of Staffordshire’s Unicorns Championship Eastern Division clash against Lincolnshire.
Returning to the three-day format after reaching the finals of the Knockout Trophy, Staffs got off on the right foot at Sleaford against the division’s reigning champions – leading by 217 runs heading into today’s action.
Opener Ali, who is also the skipper of West Bromwich Dartmouth in the Birmingham League, bludgeoned 104 runs from 169 balls before being dismissed lbw.
In at No 3, Ross Coates weighed in with a significant contribution too, smashing 78, but ducks for both Peter Wilshaw and Tim Maxfield proved to be vital as Staffs’ runs dried up.
Michael Hill, Tom Hope and Dan Richardson each got scores in the 20s, but they were all out for 296 after 78 overs.
Walsall’s Paul Byrne and Thomas Steele claimed a wicket each as Lincolnshire, who clinched the title last season by the most narrow of margins after defeating Staffs in the final game, ended the day 79-2 inside 30th over.
Daniel Freeman ended the day 42 not out for them.
The result of this match could well turn out to be a major factor in this season’s race.
Staffs suffered with the weather in their opening home championship match against Northumberland and were only able to pick up eight points after losing two days’ play.
