Wiltshire 260-8, Bucks 227 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Wiltshire 260-8, Bucks 227

WILTSHIRE bounced back to winning ways with a 33-run victory over Buckinghamshire at Beaconsfield on Sunday in the Minor Counties Knock Out Cup.

Winning the toss, Wiltshire started shakily and were 21-3 before a partnership of 61 between Richard Foley (29) and Baqar Rizvi (39) retrieved the situation.

But when they were both out the score stood at 96-5. James Golding then joined Richard Bedbrook and these two turned the match with a dynamic partnership of 141. Golding finished 93 not out and Bedbrook was run out for 55.

Wiltshire's total of 260-8 off their 50 overs was an impressive score.

In reply, Buckinghamshire started aggressively and, although up with the run rate, had lost 4 wickets for 80 before a partnership of 104 between Paskins and Duncan gave them a scent of victory.

But Wiltshire's bowlers and fielders held their nerve and Bucks were all out for 227.

Richard Bedbrook took 2-61, Michael Coles 3-44 and James Golding 2-31.

James Hibberd, although not taking a wicket, bowled nine overs for 22 runs, including four consecutive maidens in the middle of the innings.

Manager Brian White was pleased with how his team had turned the match around following a shaky start.

He said: "I think the way that we didn't have too good a start and yet we pulled it round was very pleasing.

"The boys ran well between the wickets and Bedbrook and Golding were exceptional.

"You just never know how it's going to go with one-day games. You just have to look at how Oxford went all the way up to Cumberland this week and won on a bowl out because it was raining."

Wiltshire will now play Wales Minor Counties in the quarter final at Westbury on Sunday July 10th.

Wiltshire's next match will be a three-day Championship match against Dorset at South Wilts C C Salisbury on Sunday/Monday/Tuesday June 19/20/21st.

The team includes the former England slow left arm spinner, Richard Illingworth for his first championship match since 2003.

"It's tremendous to have Richard. He controls games so well. He didn't play at all last year because of umpiring commitments but the year before he played for us and he almost never gives up more than two runs an over," said White.

Opening bowler Kevin Nash faces a late fitness test after his hamstring injury against Oxfordshire and, in order to bolster up the fragile top order batting, Wiltshire have signed the former Hampshire 2nd XI and British Universities opening batsman, Damion Shirazi who plays in the Southern Premier League for B A T Sports in Southampton.

"He's got a good record. He's scored a tremendous number of runs," added White.

"We've been talking to him for a couple of years, although he has always been hoping that Hampshire would sign him. Quite why they haven't, I don't know."

Wiltshire Squad v Dorset: Russell Rowe (South Wilts, captain), Neil Shardlow (Corsham, vice-captain), Eddie Abel (South Wilts), Richard Bedbrook (Beckenham), Mike Coles (Bridgewater), James Golding (Keynsham), James Hayward (South Wilts), James Hibberd (B A T Sports), Richard Illingworth (Barnt Green), Kevin Nash (Bashley (Rydal), Baqar Rizvi (Spencer), Damian Shirazi (B A T Sports).