Scorecard

Belhus CC v Oakfield Parkonians Cricket Club 1st XI on Sat 17 May 2025 at 12.30pm
Oakfield Parkonians Cricket Club Won by 27 runs.

Match report Oakfield Parkonians CC 1st XI emerged victorious in a high-scoring thriller against Belhus CC, winning by 27 runs in an entertaining fixture. Opting to bat first on a rock solid wicket and a lightening quick outfield, Parks produced a dominant batting display, piling on an imposing 305 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs.

The backbone of Oakfield’s innings was a superb partnership between Eknath Dinesh Kerkar and Eshun Kalley, both registering outstanding centuries. Kerkar’s masterclass innings of 135 off 133 balls, laced with 18 fours and a six, set the tempo early on. He played fluently all around the ground, rotating the strike with ease and punishing anything loose. Eshun supported brilliantly with a well-compiled 100 off 104 deliveries, showcasing excellent composure and timing as well as being able to rotate the strike and putting away the bad balls, his 100 included 8 boundaries and 2 maximums. They put on 220 runs together in just 34 overs. It was excellent to watch and witness both of them getting their first (of many) OPCC 1XI hundreds. It meant that we were able to post an above par score of 305 runs off our 50 overs which put us firmly in the driving seat going into the second half.

Chasing 306 for victory, Belhus found themselves in early trouble, losing two wickets inside the first three overs. However, a stunning counterattack by Ryan Wells brought them back into contention. The skipper played a sensational knock of 145 off 141 balls, including 19 boundaries and a six. His innings was the heart of the Belhus response, as he kept the required rate in check through sheer class and aggression.

He had support during the middle overs from their 5 and 6, but regular wickets, especially from Sifth Ali, ensured that the pressure remained firmly on the visitors. Ali was outstanding with the ball, picking up his first five-wicket haul (5 for 68 off 9.5) of the season and we hope he can keep his form going. This included the key scalps of Wells and both openers. He was ably assisted by Paran Kalley and Taranpreet Bhatia, who each grabbed two wickets. Belhus’s challenge ultimately fell short in the final over, as they were bowled out for 278 in 49.5 overs, falling 27 runs short of the target. While Wells’ remarkable knock kept them alive until the death, the lack of lower-order support and disciplined death bowling from Oakfield sealed the win.

This was a well-rounded team performance from Oakfield Parkonians, highlighted by brilliant individual efforts with both bat and ball, but was combined with an excellent team effort in the field. The boys have now won their first two league games for the 2025 season and look to build on that next week at home against Harold Wood.

Oakfield Parkonians Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 7 wickets
0
305		        
Sheharyar Chaudhry Bowled  9
Viraj Khagram Lbw  25
Eknath Kerkar Caught  135
Umar Choudhry Caught  0
Eshun Kalley Bowled  100
Paresh Kalley Caught  2
Bilaal Anwar Not Out  5
Tarunpreet Bhatia Bowled  8
Sifth Ali Not Out  2
Paran Kalley  
Prajen Kavinkumar  

Belhus CC Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Belhus CC Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
278 (49.5 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Oakfield Parkonians Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Sifth Ali9.5168513.606.92
Viraj Khagram4.002300.005.75
Tarunpreet Bhatia7.0047223.506.71
Prajen Kavinkumar10.005000.005.00
Paran Kalley10.0050225.005.00
Paresh Kalley9.0038138.004.22