Under 11 Squad
County Representative Boys
Warwickshire Under 10
The Under 10s had a very good season making a big
impression in their first year of county cricket. Of the 11
matches played (1 rained off) they won nine and lost only two.
All of the boys were given the opportunity to show what they
could do in terms of batting and bowling, with many of them
showing great promise for the future. They were also involved
in an experiment in terms of the length of pitch and had one
match on a 16 yard pitch and one on a 17 yard pitch instead of
the normal 19 yards. This proved to be very interesting and the
boys adapted well in each case.
We started well with a comfortable win against London
Schools (Baines 87, Sohail 3 wickets for 2, Hall 3 wickets for 8)
before having to play Derbyshire on a 16 yard pitch. This took
our batsmen by surprise but in a low scoring match (Mousley
35), the bowlers dominated to overhaul the opposition
(Graham 4 for 24, Khan 2 for 10). We were expecting our
next two matches to be far more difficult. However, in a tight
game against Yorkshire (Azram 32*, Raybould 21*, Khan 3
for 4, Sohail 2 for 10) we came out eventual winners. We were
surprised to beat Lancashire quite easily, their batting proving
not to be as strong as expected our bowlers once again
dominating the match (Khan 6 for 6, Raybould 34, Baines 27*).
The bowlers were in form once again against Berkshire and
skittled the opposition out for a low total before getting the runs
easily (Graham 2 for 11, Nirantharakumar 2 for 6, Khan 2 for 4,
Khan 46). Leicestershire proved to be strong and at one point
were in a winning position. However, in a low scoring match,
the bowlers bowled well at the end of the innings and we came
out eventual winners (Mousley 68, Hall 21, Graham 4 for 23,
and Srikanthan 2 for 23).
With the match against Shropshire rained off our next
match was against Worcestershire on a 17 yard pitch. Playing
much better on the shorter pitch this time, we won quite easily,
though at times found scoring runs difficult (Shaikh 36*,
Raybould 25, Sohail 2 for 4, Graham 2 for 13, Khan 2 for 1).
It was then off to the Malvern Festival where we played
three matches. The first against Gloucestershire didn’t go so
well and we lost for the first time though the bowlers once
again did well, sharing the wickets around (Sohail 2 for 17,
Nirantharakumar 2 for 17, Ali 2 for 7, Srikanthan 2 for 24). We
ran out comfortable winners against Bedfordshire (Shaikh
34, Ali 36, and Nirantharakumar 3 for 27), before a good win
against Wiltshire where Amaan Khan scored a very good 100
not out. He was well supported by other batsmen and bowlers
and so it was an excellent team performance (Raybould 46,
Srikanthan 36, Graham 4 for 12, and Sohail 3 for 29).
In our last match we were brought down to earth by a
strong Staffordshire team where, whilst we batted well, the
bowlers made little headway taking only two wickets against
some very good batting. Staffordshire ran out worthy
115
winners! (Mousley 63, Mohammed 43).
Well done to all of the boys who played and also to the
commitment and guidance given by Paul and Anthony through
the winter and then on into the season.
Richard Phillips - Manager
Warwickshire Under 11
An interesting season in which all squad members were
given equal opportunities to bat high up the order or bowl with
a relatively new ball. Some seized the opportunity, others, at
times struggled. 14 fixtures were arranged, starting with our
traditional opener, a 20 over game against KES under 12s.
Against other counties we had 13 fixtures which accounted
for 7 wins 4 losses with 2 games lost to the weather. The
best performance was undoubtedly against Yorkshire where
we chased down 191 to win off the last ball, largely due to
an inspired 69 from Tom Noon, with most others chipping in
with teens and twenties. Another exciting finish was against
Gloucestershire where with the visitors, with wickets in hand,
and only needing 12 off the last 5 overs, fell short and we won
by 1 run. Disappointing results were against Lancashire where
we could only muster 116 for 7. In reply at one stage they were
36 for 6 and then we contrived to lose by 3 wickets. Another
disappointing performance was against Shropshire, where
when faced with some excellent bowling and fielding, we could
only manage 108 all out. In reply, coupled with some indifferent
bowling and lethargic fielding we came a poor second and lost
by 6 wickets.
Matches seem to take longer to play these days, with nearly 3
hours per innings being the norm. As it seems difficult to speed
play up, I propose to start all matches at 12 o’clock next season.
The various umpires used this season were all excellent in
their commitment to youth cricket and no complaints could be
directed towards them.
Home grounds used this season included Bablake
School, Southam CC, Standard CC, Alcester and Raglely CC,
Ambleside CC, Harborne CC, Bedworth CC. All welcomed us
with open arms, were very cooperative and expressed a desire
to host games again next season.
Grateful thanks go to both Emily Iles and Claire Wright,
(Oliver’s mum) who have done an excellent job scoring for me.
They made my task so much easier.
Finally I would like to thank both Darren Franklin and Dave
Smith, who have worked tirelessly with the squad throughout
the winter nets and the summer season and hopefully, have
noticed an improvement in the players. Their help is much
appreciated and I look forward to working with them again next
season.
Bill Iles
Under 10 Squad
