Match report.
Yorkshire U15 Development v Wales U15 (2 day game), held at Knaresborough CC on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th July 2018.
Yorkshire 260-8 dec (J Slator 87, M Harland 45, N Kenworthy 27*) drew with Wales 108 all out (H Shakoor 4-36, J Marshall 3-20) & 174-8 (H Shakoor 4-50).
The Under 15 Development team hosted Wales U15s at Knaresborough CC on the 26th and 27th July in a two-day encounter. Skipper Gavin Whipp lost the toss and to no-ones surprise, Yorkshire were asked to bowl first. New player to the team Jake Marshall opened the bowling with Joel Newlove and both opening bowlers bowled tightly, restricting runs from the off. Newlove, with 13 runs from six overs, bowled well and Marshall took 3-20 from ten overs during the day. The scoring was slow as wickets kept falling and a great spell of 15.4 overs from Hasaan Shakoor (4-36) really took the impetus from the innings. Wales had Callum Nichols (27) as their highest scorer in a team total of 108 all out in 42.4 overs.
In reply, the Yorkshire batters all got starts but the response was underpinned by a very composed 87 from Jacob Slator. He will have been disappointed to have been on this score overnight and not have added to it on the second day. At the end of day one, Yorkshire were 218-6 - a handy lead going into day two. With rain around in the morning, the start was delayed and Yorkshire batted their way to 260-8 declared, after late runs from Max Harland (45), Nathan Kenworthy (27) and Jake Smart got Yorkshire in a good position after 61 overs.
Wales started their second innings 152 runs in arrears, with around 70 overs left in the day. Wales applied themselves better during the two sessions, with Oliver Robson scoring 31, and skipper Steffan Crimp making 54. The Yorkshire bowlers threw everything at them. Joel Newlove (1-10 from 5 overs), Jake Marshall (2-43 from 12), Hasaan Shakoor (another 4 wickets for 50 from 19 overs), plus a wicket from skipper Whipp, left Wales at 174-8, when the time ran out to end the match in a draw.
In summary, a good experience for the team, who were in the ascendancy throughout the game. It will have done their cricket knowledge the power of good. Credit goes to Wales for battling in the game and they played with a fantastic spirit.
The scorecard for the match can be found HERE.