Phuket Sports: Mydeen knocks first ACG ton

PHUKET: Recovered from their recent defeat at the hands of the Laguna CC, the Village showed no mercy to Phuket’s youth development cricket team in dishing out a 235 run demolition of the Leopards.

This season’s 15th match of the Island Furniture League became batting practice for several of the Village players while the Leopards were hoping to gain valuable match practice prior to their participation in the National Youth Cricket Championships, from March 23 to 28 in Chanthaburi.

In a devastating display, the Village posted a new record for runs scored at the ACG with 352 scored off their 40 overs, which also included the ACG’s maiden century by Divan Mydeen as well as its first seven wicket haul by Martin Foster. The Leopards posted a total of 117 runs in reply which included a very courageous 65 from their captain, Pao.

The Village batted first looking to post a big score and reached 50 runs before the loss of their opener Martin Foster (13) in the ninth over, clean bowled by Bank. They pushed on to 77 runs when fellow opener, Kevin Quilty (34) also fell.

Tom Gordon (32) played an aggressive innings until Pao skittled his stumps with the score on 135 runs in the 16th over. James Firth’s inning’s was decidedly brief. And the Village captain will see his name on the ‘wall of shame’ after being bowled for a golden duck from Pao’s. This breakthrough gave the Leopards some hope, but an 89 run partnership by Divan Mydeen (retired 101 not out) and Justin White (29) ended any thoughts of success.

White eventually fell in the 27th over with the score on 224. Mydeen and Martin Platts (17) then put on another valuable partnership of 83 runs before Platts’ lack of mobility was punished by an lbw decision against him with the score on 313 in 34th over. Mydeen retired from play to save his energy and averages, while Chris Gordon (19) and Greg Heenan (12 not out) managed to push the score along to a record 352 runs for 8 from their 40 overs. The Leopards could have contained the score had they managed to hold onto several catches. Pick of the bowlers for the Leopards were First (2 for 42), Pao (2 for 43) and Pan (2 for 28).

After lunch, the Leopards went out to face a daunting task of chasing down the huge target of 353 runs. A steady start gave way in the fourth over, when Martin Foster struck, first dismissing Pup (4) and then immediately sent Mac (0) packing for the second golden duck of the match.

Foster missed his hat-trick, but claimed a third wicket in the over after clean bowling Jay (0). After another wicket in Foster’s next over the Leopards were four wickets down for 25 runs, and the youngsters were on the verge of a collapse.

However, a determined 83 run partnership by Pao (65) and Bank (24) saw the Leopards reach 108 runs, much to the delight of the pavilion, before Bank was bowled. Pao followed soon after, stumped while playing forward to a leg-side delivery. The rest of the Leopards failed to show any resistance and they were bowled out for 117 in the 21st over. Martin Foster (7 for 34) and Tom Gordon (1 for 9) were the Village’s claimed the best bowling figures for the day.

Man of the match was Divan Mydeen, with Martin Foster taking second and Pao picking up third place.

The Village picked up maximum points to advance to the top of the league table.

The Phuket Gazette is the Official Phuket Media Partner of the ACG.

— Neil Quail