Awali Camels cricketers, who are on a tour of England this summer, started off in style by defeating Oldbury CC by 53 runs in their opening encounter.
The visitors won the toss on a billiard-top wicket and opted to bat in the 40-over match.
The village of Oldbury, once the scene of skirmishes between ancient Britons and Roman legions witnessed a much friendlier tussle between two evenly-matched teams.
Under the blistering sun openers Charles Forward and Tom Wooding rattled up 46 quick-fire runs before both perished to stunning catches in the deep.
Skipper Matt Rees and all-rounder George Axtell then delighted the sizeable and appreciative crowd with a partnership of 179, picking off boundaries and sixes at will off a wilting attack.
Rees notched up his century and departed to yet another tumbling catch, while Axtell was bowled trying to reach his ton with a huge heave. The Camels’ tail wagged happily with Huw Caffrey, Dave Axtell, Mumtaz and Haniel all contributing quick runs.
Veteran Camels batsman Paul Baker was denied a longer cameo as the innings ran out of overs.
Undaunted by a target of 286 at just over seven runs per over or by the early loss of opener Ather, who was spectacularly caught by Gerwyn Caffrey at mid-off off Haniel, number three batsman Riggs smashed four boundaries off as many balls before edging Dave Starkie into the safe hands of Guy Parker at first slip.
The pair of Banks and Sanat played exciting but classic shots, in a rapid partnership of 75, each scoring eight boundaries off the medium pacers before Camels skipper Rees switched to spin. Both were deceived by Parker’s flight and guile and heard the death rattle of tumbling bails. New batter Cooper showed the same bowler – and every other bowler – no respect at all.
The first ball from Parker he dispatched into a neighbouring paddock disturbing the peace of grazing horses. In all, Cooper amassed 109 runs with eleven fours and seven sixes. Search parties were sent into the surrounding greenery to find at least six lost balls.
Spectators were requested to move their cars further away from the barrage. That Cooper’s efforts didn’t bring home victory was because he ran out of partners.
The Camels’ fielding was exemplary. On the cover fence Fergus Shaw saved at least 30 runs diving fearlessly on the bone-hard turf, while wicketkeeper Dave Mason’s lightning reflexes stopped many a snick from creeping through.
George Axtell followed two boundary catches with a tidy spell of pace bowling and two wickets, while Wooding found the perfect length to claim two tail-enders’ wickets. He was denied a hat-trick by the stubborn number 11, who nevertheless was run out by Haniel after stumbling out of his crease.
The Camels next take on the might of Thornbury CC, reported to be bristling with home-grown and overseas talent.
Scores: Awali Camels 285 for 8 in 40 overs bt Oldbury CC 232 all out in 31 overs by 53 runs