Scorecard

Wheathampstead CC 3rd XI v St Albans Cricket Club 5XI on Sat 12 Jul 2025 at 13:00
St Albans Cricket Club Won By 65 runs

Match report Match Report: Saints 5XI vs Wheathampstead 3rd XI – A Memorable Win in the Heat

On one of the hottest days of the year, a youthful St Albans 5XI travelled to Kimpton to take on a strong Wheathampstead 3rd XI, who were sitting second in the league. With both captains hoping to bat first in the blazing sun, Wheathampstead’s skipper joked that he hadn’t won a toss all season and hoped to break that streak. But the streak continued, and Saints skipper Imran Ahmed had no hesitation in choosing to bat first on what looked like a batting paradise.

Andy Wright and Andrew Melling opened the batting for Saints. Melling, a 5XI veteran, came into the match just three runs short of the 1,000-run milestone for the club – and he didn’t disappoint. The pair got off to a flyer, putting on a 76-run opening stand in just 12 overs. Andy Wright looked in fine touch before an unfortunate run out ended his innings on 36. Melling followed soon after, bowled for 45 – but not before bringing up his well-deserved 1,000-run milestone for the Saints.

Young talent Daiwik Khedekar, a future star in the making, came in at No. 3 and was joined by skipper Immy. The pair continued the momentum, adding 71 runs in just 10 overs before Immy was also run out for 24. Daiwik anchored the innings beautifully, bringing up a brilliant half-century before falling for 62 – incredibly, yet another run out! Some valuable late runs from Tom Cocks (28*), along with solid contributions from the top four, helped Saints post a commanding 238 from their 40 overs – their first 200+ total of the season.

Discipline with the Ball and in the Field

At the interval, the message from Immy was clear: “Don’t take anything for granted.” With a lightning-fast outfield and a strong opposition, the job was far from done.

Haddi and PK opened the bowling. PK was economical but wicketless, while Haddi – fired up after missing the chance to bowl last week – struck early with two crucial wickets. Despite this, Wheathampstead kept the scoreboard ticking and reached 73-2 after 12 overs. First change saw Tim Winfield and Immy himself into the attack, but both went for runs early on. At the first drinks break (agreed at 14 and 28 overs due to the extreme heat), Wheathampstead were cruising at 95-2.

The second phase saw a tactical shake-up. With Tim having an off day and Maroof conceding 17 in his first over, Immy turned to Jacob Broome – and it proved to be the turning point. Immy dismissed the dangerous No. 4 for 34, and Jacob followed with a devastating spell, taking 3 wickets in quick succession. Between overs 16 and 28, Wheathampstead collapsed from 104-2 to 156-7 – scoring just 52 runs and losing 5 wickets. Immy ended with excellent figures of 1-22 off his 8 overs, bouncing back impressively after a costly first over. Jacob delivered a match-winning spell of 3-18.

The final bowling duo of Daiwik and Alfie finished the job in style. Daiwik bowled a tight spell of 1-11 in 3 overs, while Alfie wrapped things up with 2-7 in just 3.2 overs. Wheathampstead were bowled out for 173 in 34.2 overs, sealing a memorable 65-run win for the Saints.

Team Spirit Shines Through

This was a fantastic all-round performance by St Albans 5XI – a perfect blend of youthful energy and experienced calm. To beat one of the top three sides in the league shows what this team is capable of when they play for each other.

While Saints 5XI still sit in the relegation zone, performances like this give real hope. The key now is to maintain this level of intensity and unity – playing as a team, not for individual glory. That’s how a side builds success – and this team is showing all the right signs.

Well played, Saints. Onwards and upwards!

St Albans Cricket Club 5XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 7 wickets
0
238		        
Andy Wright run out  (Unsure) 36
Andrew Melling b D Dabare 45
Daiwik Khedekar run out  (Unsure) 62
Imran Ahmed run out  (Unsure) 24
Alfie Button ct Unsure b C Sharp 6
Tom Cocks Not Out  28
nasibullah Maroofkhel ct Unsure b C Sharp 4
Jacob Broome b D Dabare 1
Prath Khatavkar Not Out  6
Tim Winfield  
Tom Hadden  

Wheathampstead CC 3rd XI Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Steve Smith7.014500.006.43
Geoff Playle8.003500.004.38
David Dabare8.0051225.506.38
Freddie Playle3.002600.008.67
Akila Jayamaha6.003500.005.83
Callum Sharp8.0042221.005.25

Wheathampstead CC 3rd XI Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
7lb 
for 10 wickets
7
173 (34.2 overs)		     
Alistair Sykes ct Unsure b T Hadden 10
Raheel Bhatti ct T Cocks b J Broome 54
Quentin Vaile b T Hadden 14
Todd Houlahan ct T Cocks b I Ahmed 34
Akila Jayamaha ct Unsure b J Broome 4
Kabir Haider run out  (Unsure) 21
Freddie Playle b J Broome 6
Callum Sharp ct D Khedekar b D Khedekar 13
David Dabare ct Unsure b A Button 6
Geoff Playle Not Out  0
Steve Smith b A Button 0

St Albans Cricket Club 5XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Prath Khatavkar6.012800.004.67
Tom Hadden6.0044222.007.33
Tim Winfield2.001900.009.50
Imran Ahmed8.0122122.002.75
nasibullah Maroofkhel1.001700.0017.00
Jacob Broome5.001836.003.60
Daiwik Khedekar3.0011111.003.67
Alfie Button3.20723.502.10