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New Vic batted first with Joe Sawbridge (15)
getting the touring side off to a good start. Further runs from Paul
Hames (16) and Paul Doran (12) meant a large total was likely. Wickets
from Katzazsky (2-35) and Dimitiov (2-16) were the pick of the
Bulgarian bowlers. Keith Pacey (29) was going well before colliding
with a ball thrown in from the deep and had to retire hurt. With wides
and byes adding up to 56 New Vic finished on 160 for 7 after 40 overs.
In reply Bulgaria were striking the ball
well with Rhiz (17) scoring most of the runs. Colin Fenny (2-3) and
Chris Hames (2-4) both took wickets but Bulgaria couldn’t get to
grips with the turning deliveries of John Hames (2-0). Bulgaria were
all out for 83 with Mushtaq (12*) scoring late order runs.
New
Victoria (a club side) had beaten
Bulgaria
(a
whole country) by 57 runs.
On the second day the teams played a 20
twenty match again at the National Sports Academy in Sofia. New Vic
batted first and all the top order made double figures with Sam
O’Sullivan (17) leading the way. This time the Bulgarian bowlers
were a lot tighter with Iosif (2-10) and Videnov (2-9) starring with
the ball. New Victoria finished on 105 for 7.
In reply the home side took time to get
going with Barry Mills (2-5) bowling well. A partnership between
Katzozsky (11) and Videnov (12) got the international side moving in
the right direction and then the match winning partnership between
Mushtaq (39*) and Saif Rehmen (21*) guided them home by 6 wickets. The
Bulgarian’s were over the moon with their victory and hopefully this
has provided the home side with a lot of confidence for future
matches.
On Wednesday New Vic traveled just outside Sofia to play a Bulgarian
Embassy X1 including the British ambassador Jeremy Hill. On a lively
pitch the embassy batted first with Paul Hames (2-15) taking early
wickets. Runs from Taylor (24), Hill (21) and T.Buisseret (20) meant
the home side finished on 132 all out. Sarah Addison (2-1), Martin
Doran (2-16) and Joe Sawbridge (2-7) all bowled well and the innings
was finished off by Dale Johnson (1-1). T.Buisseret (3-7) provide the
New Vic openers with a stern test but runs from Dale Johnson (31*)
meant that New Vic won by 4 wickets. Martin Doran (16), Paul Hames
(15), Joe Sawbridge (10) and Barry Mills (16*) all contributed to the
victory. Chairman Peter Hames launched the ball out of the ground to
finish the game.
Everyone had a wonderful time, the
Bulgarian’s had a lot more equipment and then on our return both
matches at the weekend were rained off. Maybe they should relocate the
Southport League to Bulgaria!
The Bulgarian Cricket Association are
looking for other teams to tour the country and especially play the
Bulgarian team. Interested teams should contact Owen Jamieson to
arrange this.
Everyone on the tour would like to thank
Owen Jamieson for organising the tour, Saif Ur Rehmen (New
Victoria’s overseas player) for making us so welcome and all the UK
sponsors. Plans are already being made for a return visit next summer.
ANDY
ADDISON (August 2007)
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