Scorchio at McKane Park

Glenrothes traveled away to Dunfermline this weekend for their final pre-season friendly before the league fixtures begin next weekend.

Having won the toss, Skipper Chris Marshman asked the opposition to bat first, with the agreement that both teams would bat their 30 overs regardless of how many wickets were taken.

James Haslam and Jay Lewis were entrusted with the new ball setting the tone from ball one. Haslam struck in his second over, having Raman caught by “under 16” wicket keeper Nathan Salt, then again in his third over, having Saleem caught at mid-off by Sufyan Ahmed.

Marshman then brought himself and Qasim Ahmed into the attack, with Qasim having other opening batsmen Spreng well caught at slip by David Snook. After being initially wayward, Marshman took afront to Cooper advancing down the wicket to him and clean bowled him in his third over with the off bail landing 4 yards from the boundary.

This left Dunfermline at 46 for 4 in their 11th over. They then proceeded to dig in and push the score along, reaching 107 in their 20th over. Ben Krzyzanowski then broke the partnership with the quietest LBW appeal ever heard but claimed an important wicket maiden to dismiss big-hitting DJ Deenadayalan (36) who had looked likely to take the game well away from Glenrothes.

Snook then followed suit, dismissing Leitch who had batted well for 27, thanks to Lewis taking a fine catch and making up for an earlier drop.

With the batting side having stalled slightly, Haslam and Lewis were recalled. Haslam added a third wicket to his figure by bowling Lee, finishing with a well deserved 3 for 17 from his 5 overs. Lewis finished well, bowling Pike with a fast swinging yorker and then taking a low caught and bowled chance with the final ball of the innings and ending with 2 for 22 from his 4 overs.

With Dunfermline having reached 144 for 9 from their 30 it felt like a chaseable total and reflected a good performance in the field having only had ten players.

Having stopped for tea, and in Qasim’s case liberal application of deep heat, Glenrothes’ innings got underway with Snook and Joe Burton opening the batting.

Snook was unlucky to be bowled by a ball that kept low in the 4th over from Saleem but this brought Qasim to the crease. He and Burton set good foundations for the innings as Glenrothes reached 34 from 12 overs before Qasim was bowled by Cox for 12.

Haslam was in at four and never really got going before being given out LBW to DJ. With Burton having retired to ensure that everyone was able to bat, this brought Lewis and Charlie Burton to the crease.

They steadily accumulated for the next few overs with Lewis becoming more expansive before being asked to retire. At this point, Glenrothes were 64 from 21 and the win (81 from 9 overs) was looking extremely unlikely. However, Sufyan had other ideas hitting a blistering 30 from 13 balls before retiring to allow Marshman to come to the crease.

Meanwhile, at the other end young Charlie Burton, having batted solidly and never looked like getting out, retired to allow Salt to come to the crease. Marshman and Salt combined well, with Salt’s dynamic running and range of powerful shots, along with Marshman’s brutal hitting getting Glenrothes to their target with an over to spare.

Marshman then retired to allow young Krzyzanowski to come to the crease for the final over. He managed to take a further 16 runs from the over, finishing the innings with a monster six over mid-wicket, putting everyone else’s efforts to shame.

Overall, it was a great game, played in fantastic spirit and getting the win was a nice bonus. Far more importantly we were able to use nine bowlers, give everyone a bat and make the game enjoyable for all involved. This was replicated by Dunfermline & Carnegie who rotated their players well to give everyone a go. Was also brilliant to see McKane Park looking fantastic which reflects well on all the efforts they have been putting in recently.

Hopefully, we can continue our form next week when the leagues begin with the 1st XI away to Meigle 2nd XI and the 2nd XI hosting Falkland 3rd XI at Gilvenbank Park.

Chris Marshman, Captain