Ashes Series for Deaf Cricketers...
Second Test match report by Mike Rose
Sunday 13th to Tuesday 15th July
Colwyn Bay CC, 77 Penrhyn Avenue, Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay,
Conwy, LL28 4LR.
Kym Daley won the toss as Australia batted first on a superb wicket at Colwyn Bay. Justin Bergin was run out after an aggressive 29 and Grant Thomson followed soon after when Matt Everett caught a deflected drive. This allowed the Watkins’ brothers to take centre stage. A century from Andrew Watkins was backed up by 70 from brother Nick as the pair added 153 for the third wicket. Nick went first but Andrew reached a 142 ball century before being bowled by Mike O’Mahony for 113. Mark Woodman worked his way through the tail to record 4-80. Mike O’Mahony picked up three wickets with Stephen George bowling a marathon 29 overs as Australia were dismissed for 385.
The ECAD skipper, Umesh Valjee, was dismissed early as they started their reply. Mike O’Mahony joined Chris Hughes and took a liking to the Australian attack reaching a boundary strewn 113. The stand had reached 192 when O’Mahony was caught behind. Chris Hughes battled on as the sheet anchor before he was out for 81. No other ECAD was able to make an impact as the Australian attack worked their way through the tail with Kym Daley taking 4-103 and Michael Parremore 3-24.
In their second innings Australia lost early wickets and at 41-3 were in some disarray. Andrew Watkins saw them through to stumps as they start the final day 147 runs ahead
To stand any chance of regaining the Ashes, ECAD had to take early wickets. Although Hall was dismissed in the first over, Andrew Watkins ensured that there would be no more progress made by the home attack. He reached his second century of the match and remained undefeated on 162 at the declaration at 321-7. He received solid support from Paul Welch 33, Michael Parremore 28 and Kevin Smith 27. The declaration left the home side the unlikely target of 405 in a minimum of 46 overs.
Chris Hughes went early but a stand between Umesh Valjee and Mike O’Mahony seemed to have taken ECAD to safety but wickets began to fall and some anxious final overs before at the close ECAD had scored 148-7 and secured the draw. This meant that Australia retained the Ashes but this was the first series that Australia had not won a Test Match which gives reason for hope in future series.