Young’s power-hitting vital for Thatcham

Thatcham Town Cricket Club secured a comfortable win on Saturday as they hosted White Waltham.

White Waltham is perhaps best known for its airfield, but they hardly made a flying start after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Captain and wicketkeeper Nikhil Jathavedan started things off, but was dismissed for nought after only two balls.

Adil Pervaiz, his partner, did better with an effort of 35 before he was caught by Seamus Levin.

Matt Furness hit 55 to lead the White Waltham effort, while Usman Butt’s 27 and Jordan Thomas’ 30 were also tidy contributions.

Chris Bird starred with the ball for Thatcham however, taking five wickets at the cost of 39 runs.

This left the visitors 196-8, a gettable target for the hosts.

Captain Michael Klichowicz stepped up to the plate to kick off Thatcham’s reply.

He batted well, making 44 runs from just 41 deliveries in only 40 minutes to provide a punchy start to the innings.

Simon Lewis opened alongside him, but managed just eight runs before Ben Denton-Powell arrived at three.

He battled to a speedy 49 to put his side in pole position, hitting eight fours in the process before being caught by Adil Pervaiz.

Wicketkeeper Jack Young was the star of the show however.

He arrived at four and smashed an incredible 81 not-out from just 48 balls.

Young hit ten fours and four sixes in just sixty minutes to finish not-out and propel his side to a seven wicket victory.

Thatcham now sit sixth in the Thames Valley Cricket League Division 3A.

On Saturday they travel to Falkland 2nd, searching for a third win of the season.