Crisp Smith puts the skids under Athletic

29 July 2010

HOWZAT? . . . Goresbrook paceman Shaddai Smith took five wickets to bowl his team to victory against Hornchurch Athletic.

Lords International League Premier Division

Goresbrook 207 beat Hornchurch Athletic 154 by 53 runs

PACEMAN Shaddai Smith produced a spectacular display to demolish the Hornchurch Athletic batting order, as Goresbrook leapfrogged the Hylands Park side into third place.

Goresbrook skipper Kurt Whisker had high praise for his opening bowler, who hasn't had the easiest of campaigns.

"It's great to see Shaddai firing on all cylinders again, he's had a tough time with injury this season, but he was superb today," he said.

Smith took five top-order wickets for 30 runs as he and Richard Williams (2-13) reduced Athletic to a measly 37-7 to effectively end the game as a contest.

Earlier, Whisker won the toss and elected to bat, but with a difficult wicket the Goresbrook innings struggled to gain momentum.

After Whisker had departed for 29, Richard Williamson then provided a brief period of stylish batting, before following his skipper back to the hutch for 30.

Afzal Hussain looked more at home though and the 17-year-old Eastbury student mixed watchful defense with attacking strokes to top score with 45.

After Hussain's dismissal, Kane Messenger rallied the tail to stroke a fine 31 to shepherd his side over the 200-mark.

The reply saw a rejuvenated Smith back to his best in a scintillating opening burst, as Athletic's Sri Lankan import Manesh Bandara was dismissed after a lazy drive.

Smith then cramped Athletic skipper Humphries for Hussain to catch at slip, before taking Samaraskera with another full delivery.

Things went from bad to worse for Athletic as Whittaker edged behind, Raftery was well held at slip, before Williams took the wickets of Hawkins and Hutchison.

Goresbrook had effectively won the game within the opening 17 overs and although Peter Hammes (26) and Stuart Caruana (40) helped Athletic add nearly 120 runs, Israel Ochwo took the final wicket for a 53-run victory.

'Brook's next encounter is with second- placed neighbours May & Baker and captain Whisker is hopeful that his in-form bowlers can provide the key again.

"It's going to be a different game next week, as May & Baker have probably got the best batting line-up in the league, so we'll need to take wickets to keep them in check," said Whisker.

"In Shaddai and Ochwo we've got the pace bowlers to give them problems, so we're hopeful of causing an upset.