France v Grand West XI

It was a fantastic day for French cricket at Saumur when a competitive Grand West XI took on the Equipe de France in preparation for the European Championships.

France won the toss and alarm bells rang early for the batting team as Hird (3/43) picked up two quick wickets for the home side and had France on the back foot at 2 for 7. What followed however may well be a France Cricket record as 16 year old Jonathon Houghton (71 from 90 balls) and Waseem Bhatti (124 from 87 balls) gave the many spectators and supporters a masterful display of classic batting to amass 193 runs for the third wicket partnership.

With a large total in sight the French teams middle order collapsed until Greg Smith and 15 year old Usman Khan added 48 runs for the ninth wicket partnership and hurried the score along to a massive 302 runs from 48.4 overs.

The French team had no excuses as 49 runs passed before they could manage their first wicket. The run chase continued in fine fashion as the top five batsmen for Grand West all made double figures but the French total seemed a daunting task for Grand West as they opted for survival tactics allowing them to pick away at the bowling for 48.1 overs before they were bowled out for 199.

France won the match by 103 runs.

Player of the Match: Waseem Bhatti 124 runs from 87 balls including 19 x 4's and 4 x 6's.