Agha Haider kept up his phenomenal form with the bat since assuming the captaincy, lifting his average to 332 with another unbeaten half century as FPs cruised to a 7 wicket win at home to Ellon. He was well supported in an unbroken 73 run stand by Hamish Penman who made a classy 20 not out. Agha Haider also bagged 3 wickets and a run out as he helped his team restrict Ellon to 102 all out.
Prash landed the decisive blow bowling the ever dangerous Barrett for 13.
FPs welcomed back Morrison, Swiergon, and Anand, lining up Keith, Nattrass, Swiergon, Haider (c), Penman, Anand, Morrison (w), D’Costa, Javaid, Harrower and Prash. FPs elected to bowl having won the toss. Some excellent fielding and a tight opening by Prash and Harrower ensured Ellon only reached 25 in the opening 10 overs. It did take the introduction of Javaid to bring the 1st wicket, Anand grabbing Middleton at slip for 9, 39 for 1. This brought Barrett to the crease and FPs immediately reintroduced Prash who had the desired effect, bowling a brilliant out swinger to shave the off bail, beating the batsman’s defensive shot for 13. Anand then had Greenfield 1st ball LBW and Ellon were 61 for 4 when Haider replaced Prash and immediately castled Fraser for 2.
Ovenstone was battling hard but received minimal assistance as Wade was LBW to Anand for 9 and Firdous had a debut to forget running himself out 2nd ball, taking on the ever alert D’Costa and failing badly, Morrison finishing the job. This left Ellon 79 for 6 and that was soon 7 as Ovenstone finally fell, clean bowled by a quicker Haider delivery for 38.
Sandham offered some resistance but was last out for 15 attempting an ambitious single to Haider after Javaid had bowled Van Heerden for 6 and Haider had bowled Parks for 1. Ellon all out for just 102 in 32.4 overs.
Bowling wise Haider with 3 for 19 was the pick on the bowlers but Prash’s 2 spells set the tone and cost just 10 while Javaid and Anand both picked up 2 wickets for 26. Harrower recorded 2 maidens in his 5 overs for 19.
Once again FPS initially faltered and fell to 29 for 3, Keith having survived a simple chance somehow managing to then chip an even simpler chance to cover for 11, while Swiergon was excellently caught by Midleton at slip for 9 before Nattrass miscued to Barrett for 3 as Wade grabbed two victims.
After this it was plain sailing for FPs as Agha Haider and Hamish Penman scored with relative comfort, Haider passing 50 with no alarms as FPs cantered to another win.
Next up is another challenging game at Huntly before Ellon in the 2020 cup semi final.
Man of the Match
Agha Haider once more for his all round contribution
Champagne Moment
Prash’s perfect away swinger to bowl Barrett
Scorecard
FPS v Ellon Scorecard
