West Academy Finsh Tour

 
The Western Cricket Academy's north-east of England tour ended with a heavy defeat at Hartlepool CC to NUSC-CC in a Pro40 match. 

On a flat deck, the academy bowlers were flayed to all parts by NUSC-CC opening pitch hitting Aaron Proud who smashed an unbeaten 165 from just 122 balls to take the game completely away from the tourists.  All the seamers struggled to bowl the right length and paid the penalty, Proud hitting sixteen 4s and two 6s on his way to carrying his bat.  South African Boks Mosena also chipped in with 66.

For the academy only really the two leg spinners managed to restrict the home side batters, and only really at times.  In the academy's run-chase the side got off to the worst possible start when Clydesdale CC's Patrick Barbour was dismissed before both him and the side got off the mark.  Wickets then fell at regular intervals - two more players recording ducks - as the academy batters attempted to better rotate the strike after the day before's failings in this area.  This was achieved in part, but cheap wickets were given up, most batters getting themselves out.  Only Ferguslie CC's Michael English and Poloc CC's Craig Young got to 20, Young top-scoring with 28.  In the end the game, and tour, fizzled out when the academy was dismissed for just 113.

So a tour that started promisingly petered out.  Day one saw two close games that should've - and nearly - brought two wins.  Thursday's Pro40 saw defeat to Ulster Schools in a game where the Irish side were allowed "off the hook" after having been 149 for 8 at one stage.  This proved a pivotal point for the tourists, the subsequent run-chase, and then today's performance, being well below par.  All-in-all however it was a good tour, where different opposition on different grounds brought the squad new challenges and taught new lessons.  It is hoped the challenges will be accepted and the lessons learns.

Thanks are due to NUSC-CC organiser John Holland for his work, and Brandon CC and Hartlepool CC for their hosting of games.  The tour ended with presentations of the respective sides' players of the tournament who won Kookaburra sponsorships.  The awards were selected by NUSC-CC players and John Holland.  Academy skipper Craig Young was given the WCA award.  

[scorecard]