Rainhill CC 221 All Out (Khan 79, Ullah 55; Pushpakumara 9-95)
Birkenhead Park CC 195 All Out (Rowland 77, Foster 47; Usman 4-61, Ullah 4-67)
With the August sunshine in full flow, Rainhill won the toss and decided to bat, looking to post a score worthy of defending.
Rainhill managed to score a strong 221 all out from 57.5 overs. Rainhill got off to a positive start, securing 67 for the first wicket with opener Bilal Khan producing 79 from 101 balls, including 11 fours and 1 six.
Rainhill’s middle order also provided vital runs against Birkenhead’s Test match overseas professional Pushpakumara.
Saeed Ullah scoring a classy 55 from 61 balls and Khalid Usman with 36. Pushpakumara, narrowly missing out on securing a 10-wicket haul finishing with figures of 9-95 from 28.5 overs.
Birkenhead’s chase of 222 ebbed and flowed, with the momentum changing hands throughout. Rainhill managed to take consistent wickets which ensured the pressure remained on the away side chasing.
Rainhill’s bowlers took wickets just when partnerships started to form. Khalid Usman returning impressive figures of 4-61 from his 21.3 overs, greatly supported by Saeed Ullah, finishing with 4-67. Rainhill eventually bowling Birkenhead Park all out for 195 securing a 26-run victory.