Radcliffe CC v Milnrow CC

Milnrow recorded their first win of the season against Radcliffe on Saturday, thanks to a maiden century from professional Babar Naeem. He scored 116 from 114 balls as Milnrow posted 233-9 after winning the toss.

Naeem and Alex Bartley put on 85 for the first wicket before Bartley (23) was bowled by former Ashton professional Ben Johnson.

Max Power joined Naeem at the crease and the pair put on a fine century stand before Power (33) was bowled by ex-Lancashire paceman Steven Cheetham.

Naeem soon followed as he became one of Michael Burns’ 5 wickets (5-74).

Wickets tumbled as Milnrow went in search of quick runs off the final 10 overs.

But a target of 233 was a challenging one in bitterly cold conditions.

Radcliffe’s innings got off to a bad start as Dean Lord (4-45), opening the bowling after an injury to Adam Robinson, took the first four wickets to fall as Radcliffe struggled to 48-4.

However, an 80 run stand for the fifth wicket by professional Phil Hayes (57) and Johnson (32) put Radcliffe back into the game at the half way stage at 119-4.

When Johnson was judged LBW to Mohammed Jahangir, Milnrow were able to expose the tail as Radcliffe’s hopes rested with Hayes. He took the score to 155 before skying a Naeem delivery into the hands of Steve Dryden.

Naeem and Wilkinson then took the final 3 wickets to wrap up victory by 41 runs.

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