This week’s overseas update include’s a special inclusion, as we check-in with all of our stars who are in action across the globe.
Shortly after confirming the signing of Sikandar Raza for this year’s Vitality Blast T20 competition, the Zimbabwe all-rounder has shown just what he is capable of, playing a key role in the side’s excellent start to the tournament.
Meanwhile, Gareth Roderick’s sublime form in South Africa has continued, whilst Ben Gibbon, Matthew Waite and Ben Allison have all extended their respective purple patches…
Ben Gibbon – Sturt CC (Australia)
In Ben’s most recent match for Sturt, his side fell to a three-wicket defeat in a West End Men’s First Grade clash with Port Adelaide.
Bowled out for 74 in their first innings, Ben took the new ball for his side but was unable to make a breakthrough as he finished with economical figures of 13-5-28-0.
Despite taking two-catches in the field, Ben couldn’t prevent his side from slipping to defeat in the two-day contest.
Gareth Roderick – Green Point CC (South Africa)
Green Point CC overcame Claremont CC by four wickets in one of Gareth’s most recent fixtures, where he top-scored with 27 from 34 balls as his side chased down 118 in just over 25 overs.
His next game ended in a 50-run defeat to Ottoman CC, where, chasing 235 to win, Gareth’s side were dismissed for 184.
Gareth led from the front, top scoring with 50 off 57 balls, in a composed knock that included four boundaries, but his impressive cameo could not spare his side from falling short.
Matthew Waite and Ben Allison – Altona North (Australia)
Both Matthew and Ben featured for Altona North in their most recent fixture against Aberfeldie CC, where the Worcestershire duo played crucial roles in a narrow 20-run victory.
Batting first, Matthew was unfortunately trapped LBW without scoring, before Ben made his way to the middle and continued his fine recent form with the bat, scoring a breezy 58 coming in at number five.
Facing 73 balls, Ben anchored his team’s innings, scoring eight boundaries as he guided his team, up to a competitive total of 170.
Matthew bounced back with two second innings wickets, on his way to figures of 2-12 from a fruitful six-over spell, while Ben helped himself to a wicket (1-23) as the pair helped their side to a narrow victory.
Sikandar Raza – Zimbabwe (World Cup)
Our new signing Sikandar has played a starring role for Zimbabwe throughout the World Cup tournament, where his side are currently in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages having won both of their opening group matches.
The Captain took 1-17 from his four over spell as Zimbabwe restricted Oman to just 103 in the opening match, which ended in a comfortable eight-wicket win for his side.
In the second group game against Australia, Sikandar once again showed his quality, firstly chipping in with 25 from 13 balls to power his side to a competitive total of 169-2 after their allotted 20 overs, before bowling an economical two-over spell as his team secured a 23-run win to put them on the brink of qualification.
Zimbabwe take on Ireland in their penultimate group fixture, where a win would be enough to see Sikandar’s side through to the next stage of the tournament.
