Shirazi targets Calmore attack for more runs
BAT Sports all-rounder Damian Shirazi flexed his muscles for tomorrow's (SAT) ECB Southern Electric Premier League derby against Calmore Sports at Southern Gardens (11.30am) with another impressive century for the MCC Young Cricketers this week.
Mike Vimpany (Daily Echo)
06-Jun-2003
BAT Sports all-rounder Damian Shirazi flexed his muscles for tomorrow's (SAT) ECB Southern Electric Premier League derby against Calmore Sports at Southern Gardens (11.30am) with another impressive century for the MCC Young Cricketers this week.
Fresh from scoring 104 and taking a career-best 6-10 against Essex II last week, Shirazi hammered the Yorkshire 2nd XI attack for a thumping 141 on the opening day of the YC's three-day match at New Rover.
Shirazi, who Hampshire don't appear to want, is determined to get a First Class contract next season and believes that only through sheer weight of runs will he achieve his ambition.
"We are playing a lot of county 2nd XI's and I only hope someone, somewhere will take notice," he says.
Shirazi lines up in a near full-strength BAT side for the Totton derby, which sees the return of left-arm pace bowler Dan Goldstraw after a two-week absence.
Weakened by Mark Boston's unavailability, Calmore give a debut to teenager Martin Bushell, who seems to have lost his place in the Hampshire Academy team.
BAT lead the table after taking 41 points from 50-over wins against Bashley (Rydal) and the Academy, whereas Calmore are languishing in third-from-bottom spot after losing to Liphook & Ripsley last week.
South African opening bowler Christof Botha may have played his last Calmore game due to work commitments.
BAT skipper Richard Dibden knows that the Totton derby won't be any pushover, but says: "It's imperrative we start off with a good performance in the first of the all-day games.
"We've done wonderfully well in the `time' games in the past, stringing together 15 successive wins over two seasons,
"But we need a big performance against Calmore, as there's a game at Havant next week we'd rather like to do well in."
Second placed Bournemouth are unchanged for the visit of the Hampshire Academy to Chapel Gate. They have won all three 50-over games and trail BAT by a solitary point.
But skipper Matt Swarbrick warns that, whilst the Academy youngsters might be struggling after two defeats, they have a lot of experience in all-day cricket.
"All their Under-17 and Under-19 games are two-day affairs, so batting a session should come relatively easy to them," he said.
"But we've got a strong, multi-purpose bowling attack and they are going to have to fight for every run tomorrow."
Former Hampshire opener Giles White will captain the Academy side, while Bournemouth expect to name the side which beat Bashley (Rydal) by 50 runs last week.
Russell Rowe is hoping to carry his Minor Counties Championship form for Wiltshire into South Wilts' tricky visit to Andover.
Out of touch in the early SPL games, Rowe cracked an imperious 128 for Wiltshire, which set up an innings victory over Wales in Pontypridd this week.
Rowe will open with Paul Draper for South Wilts tomorrow, with former Hampshire batsman Jason Laney returning to the side at three.
Andover, who have won two of their four matches, bring in young Steve Williams to replace Aurijit Basu, who has returned to his native India for a month.
Beleaguered Bashley (Rydal) skipper Matt King must be wondering what can go wrong next after losing his veteran wicketkeeper Shaun Lilley for the remainder of the season.
Lilley tore his Achilles tendon during Monday's narrow New Forest CA President's Cup win at East Tytherley and won't play again this year.
Andy Sexton has been earmarked to take the gloves in tomorrow's visit to Portsmouth, who tipped Bashley out of the ECB Club Championship last weekend.
"Andy did quite a lot of keeping in his younger days and has offered to take on the mantle, starting at St Helen's tomorrow," said captain King.
The Bashley boss, who brings in Andy's brother Neil, is demanding that his team shows a lot more application tomorrow, especially in the batting department.
"Individuals need to look at the way they are getting out and adjust their games accordingly.
"But I do back the talent we've got in the team and fully expect to get our season back on track pretty soon," he added.
Hampshire's Lawrie Prittipaul is expected to play for Portsmouth, provided he is now required for 12th man duties at the Rose Bowl.
Beaten off the penultimate ball at South Wilts last week, champions Havant continue their title defence against Liphook & Ripsley.
Hampshire Under-19 all-rounder Chris Wright will line up against his former Liphook tea-mates at Ripsley Park.