Sheldrake and Shorney combine to overwhelm Bristol Sri Lankans

Bedminster dismantled Bristol Sri Lankans batting for 149 all out, before cruising to 151-1 in the 21st over.

Opening bowler Andy Sheldrake cut through Bristol Sri Lankans top order like a warm knife through butter, after they won the toss and elected to bat on a warm day at Fry’s. Sheldrake’s line and length was immaculate as ever, and the Sri Lankans batsmen could find no answers to Sheldrake’s interrogation of their techniques. The first three wickets to fall were all the result of Shellars finding the outside edge and Lee Shorney completing the catch in the slips. The highlight of this trio of dismissals was a screamer of a catch, when an outstretched Shorney caught, one handedly, a ball that had seemingly got past him.

Overall, Bristol Sri Lankans batting struggled against accurate bowling from Bedminster, with Perera (56) the only man to really get going. After Sheldrake completed his spell (9-2-4-19), Adam Mawer replaced him and bowling with pace, he managed to get extra bounce from the surface, which troubled the batsmen, as he deservedly took 3 wickets for 31 runs. Spinners Kishan Patel and Ashaan Butt wrapped up the tail with one and two wickets respectively, as the Sri Lankans were dismissed for 149 in the 35th over.

In pursuit of 150 to win Lee Shorney took Bristol Sri Lankans bowling apart. He got off the mark with a classical straight drive for four, before later in his innings cleanly hitting all round the ground. His 71 included 15 boundaries, with each one demoralising the Sri Lankans a little more. Together with Simon Roche (47 not out), Lee put on 119 for the first wicket before being bowled by an in swinging yorker. Sam Hedges came in at number 3 and played nicely for 15 not out as Bedminster completed the chase to win by nine wickets.

Bedminster are now placed fourth in B&D division 6, with only 19 points separating them from league leaders Winterbourne. With games against Winterbourne and Bath, who are in second place, coming up, these will possibly dictate the third XI’s league season and promotion challenge.

Before that, the third XI will play Pucklechurch at home on Saturday.

See the match scorecard on play cricket.