Sparsholt Openers Too Good For E&MWCC Midweek XI

Glorious sunshine and returning to the field after a emphatic victory over Damerham in the National Village Cup the E&MWCC Midweek XI were looking forward to starting their Wilds Sports T20 season with a stylish victory over Sparsholt.

Having made the short journey to Sparsholt, E&MWCC opted to have a bowl and it soon became evident that Sparsholt's openers would be the difference in this contest. Ash Wilmott and Adam Kite opened the bowling with some success. Wilmott bowled steadily on an artificial wicket that gave him and Kite nothing. Kite was less successful as Sparsholt's overseas enjoyed advancing down the wicket and dispatching him to the boundary. Both bowled steady lines but failed to make that crucial breakthrough.

Adam Carrick came on to bowl first change with good pace but was hit to the short leg side boundary. Carrick was soon joined by Sean Yeates who was targeted by Sparsholt's talented Australian opening batsman. Consistently failing to find his line and lengths, Yeates was punished and both opening batsmen cruised to their half centuries shortly before retiring.

Ben Stanbrook took Easton's only wicket shortly after he replaced Carrick but the side continued to haemorrhage runs and Sparsholt powered through to 195 for 1 off of 18 overs.

Ben Stanbrook and Jordon Banks (26) opened the batting but Stanbrook was dismissed without scoring and Banks began to build his innings with Adam Kite (29). Both Banks and Kite were bowled but had a lot to take forward to their first Hampshire County One League Match. Wilmott and Yeates attempted to steady the ship but were undone in quick succession. Seb Stanard (7) and Steve Green (3) finished the innings. After 18 overs 96 for 7.