Run-machine Thaman is the main man for Milford

Cricket returned in the South Staffordshire County League Premier Division over the weekend, three months after it was originally due to start following the coronavirus pandemic.

Playing a modified version of the season, where all 11 clubs play each other once, Milford travelled to Wombourne and put on a show.

And it was Thaman who led the way as he struck a superb 127 – his sixth league century in 20 innings – as the visitors piled up a daunting 298–5 from their 40 overs.

Sahal Malvernkar and James Davies offered good support with 60 and 56 respectively.

Milford’s Chris Dean then took Wombourne’s first four wickets with just 22 on the board.

“The way that the lads went about themselves throughout the game was really good,” Phazey said.

“We batted well and then the first 10 overs of our fielding set the tone. It really just decided the game.

“Getting four or five early wickets took all the wind out of them and effectively the game was won 10 overs in. The way that Chris Dean started was unbelievable, taking the first four wickets.

“Ibbadat ended up around 300-400 runs ahead of anybody else least year, getting around 1,200 altogether. He’s one of the best batters I’ve played with over the years and he has an absolute hunger to score runs.

“Even when he’s out, in his head he’s still batting and he’s trying to get better, which you can’t fault. “He’s just turned 20 and his desire to score runs is unbelievable, it makes me a little bit jealous and envious that when I was a little bit younger I wish I had the same desire. He put us in a position where we were in control.”

Despite the victory, Phazey felt that the format of the match resulted in a drab ending after their fast start.

“After effectively winning the game from 10 overs, it was quite difficult to get a little bit more, because I’m not a fan of win–lose cricket,” added Phazey. “There’s no incentive from the batting side once the game is gone. I’d much rather a win–lose–draw where you keep fighting until the end.

“It definitely felt like towards the end that we were just going through the motions.”

Next, Milford host Lichfield who themselves had an impressive win over Brewood in their opening fixture.

“We need more of the same – it will be nice to play a game at Milford, Phazey said.

“Until we’re three of four games in we won’t really know the lay of the land. I’d have thought Brewood would be more competitive than what they were against Lichfield, but you just don’t know if it was just a bad day for them.

“Hopefully it should level out pretty quickly and we’ll have a better picture of where we are, but Lichfield should be a good test.”

Ross Parker, Kashif Hussain and Aqab Ahmed were the star performers in Penkridge’s 12-run success at Beacon.

Parker top scored with 69 as Penkridge battled their way to 205-8 from their 40 overs – a total boosted by a well struck 44 from number nine Hussain. Michael Hartwell was the pick of the home attack with 2-28.

Beacon were reduced to 80-5 in reply before Jason Swan (43) and Jake Cartwright (35) attempted a recovery.

But Penkridge were not to be denied as some tight bowling restricted their hosts to 193-8 with Ahmed picking up 4-42.