Wanstead 282-6
Upminster 142 a/o
(League Cup 1st rnd)

WANSTEAD started their 2006 campaign with a 140-run win over Upminster in the first round of the Essex League Cup, The visitors elected to bowl first and this initially proved to be a good decision with two early wickets of Arfan Akram (six) and Raihan Ahmed (two).

However Milan Patel and Adnan Akram batted with class to help the Herons past the three-figure mark as the latter was caught on 37. A knock of 69 from Patel came to an end as he was out LBW. Chowdhury then hit 63 before being run out.

Mervyn Westfield got a quickfire 25, and along with newcomer Otis Binnie and the experienced Mohammed Fayyaz, who scored undefeated knocks of 33 and 26 respectively, helped the Herons to a very strong score of 282-6 for their 45 overs. Fast bowler Mervyn Westfield struck the first blow, to the head of Arshad Ali and it forced the Upminster opener to retire.

Maurice Chambers took his debut wickets when a spectacularly caught and bowled Steve Wright for six.

This was followed two balls later with an unplayable ball up which Wanstead's wicket keeper, Matthew Smith caught.

Chambers took a third wicket with a diving catch at mid-off by Azhar Janjua seeing Alan Ison removed, to leave the Herons bowler on 3-25. The experienced left arm spinner Mo Fayyaz took 3-20 and the part-time leg breaks of Arfan Akram (2-27) left Upminster on 142-9.

Wanstead captain Arfan Akram said: "Maurice Chambers bowled with brilliant control and accuracy, and Merv, with the bat and ball, is playing like a cricketer far beyond his age. Otis Binnie is also an asset to any side, because he is a fantastic batsman, who also bowls with a unique technique. Milan also showed his class and Hassan at the age of 17 is expressing himself well."

Wanstead travel to Colchester and East Essex in the next round on Saturday.