Earby collapse against fiery Nazir (From Craven Herald)

Earby collapse against fiery Nazir

12:23pm Thursday 1st September 2011 in Cricket

Earby’s batting collapsed dramatically as they suffered a crushing 165-run defeat against Barnoldswick on Sunday.

They looked to be making a sound start to their reply to Barlick’s 232-3 when openers Ali Azmat (20) and Craig Walton (13) shared a first-wicket stand of 45.

All ten wickets fell for the addition of 22 runs as Earby were dismissed for a sorry 67.

Paceman Jaffer Nazir was again the destroyer. He took 7-33 and was backed up by Sajjid Akhtar (3-29).

There certainly appeared to be nothing in the pitch to suggest such a low total after Barnoldswick had made comfortable progress earlier.

Opener Matthew Nutter played struck seven sixes and seven fours in a knock of 107, while Umar Saddique made 69 in a third-wicket stand of 159.

The victory was Barnolds- wick’s second of the weekend.

Twenty-four hours earlier they beat Salesbury by 65 runs.

Nazir was again a key figure. He took 6-63 as Salesbury were bowled out for 151 in reply to Barnoldswick’s 216-8.

Michael Scothern (3-23) also bowled well for Barlick as they wrapped up a Salesbury innings that was dominated by opener Ian Rabagliati (72).

Skipper Richard Nichols (71) and Liam Bedford (38) were the main contributors in the Barnoldswick innings as Josh Bristol took 5-67.

Despite their wins Barnolds- wick remain third with just two matches to go. They are 16 points behind leaders Baxenden and three adrift of Read who visit Earby on Saturday.

For both Earby and Settle the weekend was one of double disappointment in the league.

In addition to their hefty defeat by Barnoldswick, Earby lost by 22 runs against Clitheroe on Saturday.

Once again their batting let them down as they were bowled out for 116 in reply to what looked a modest Clitheroe total of 138.

Craig Walton (41) was the only batsman to make an impression as Kashif Siddique (5-46) and Hazzan Fazal (4-13) struck.

Earby’s bowlers had earlier created a good impression with Richard Craddock (4-24) and Ian Clarkson (3-26) returning tidy figures.

Settle returned to the foot of the table after they suffered defeats against Padiham and Salesbury.

Padiham made 231 and bowled out Settle for 140.

Eddy Read was Settle’s best performer as they went down by three runs in a match reduced to 21 overs a side against Salesbury on Sunday.

Read took 2-57 and hit a fighting 48 not out as Settle couldn’t quite force victory .

Mark Verden (36), Robbie Davidson (29) and Laurence Read (22) helped Settle finish on 162-5 in reply to 165-4.

Settle second team fell at the last hurdle in their promotion bid with two defeats, despite a hat-trick for Will Metcalfe (4-21) and 34 runs from John Tarbox against Feniscowles, followed by Tarbox’s 6-37 and a combative half-century for Kieran Ashley hosting Salesbury.