STRIKE-bowling duo Phil Dean and Chamila Mirissearchchi blitzed their way through the Sawston batting line up as Fordham recorded a four-wicket victory on Saturday.

Cricket

CCA Senior Division 3

Between them, the experienced duo bowled 18 overs, including four maidens, took seven wickets and conceded just 42 runs, statistics that helped consign Sawston to a fourth defeat already this term.

Fordham’s win firmed up their position in fifth place in the league table ahead of their trip to play Somersham Town on Saturday.

After winning the toss, Sawston opted to bat first but, aside from a cameo of 18 from Wesley Postchul at the top of the order, they could do little to resist the bowling of Dean and Mirrisearchchi.

It was the former who made the initial breakthrough, snaring opener Clive Dove for a duck before quickly mopping up Potschul, Patrick Coughlin and Nick Griggs for less than 40 runs.

With the breakthrough made, the rest of Fordham’s lineup were given the opportunity to shine and wickets for Mark Barton (1-32) and Martin Hancock (1-4) paved the way for a late surge for Mirisearchchi to strike.

The all-rounder took 3-21 to help bring the Sawston innings to an abrupt end at 84 all out.

Requiring only about two-runs-per-over for the win, Fordham looked a little complacent at the crease and lost openers Mirrisearchchi (4) and Sakthivel Vijithran (14) cheaply.

The arrival of Nick Foulds shifted the momentum away from the visitors however, as he hit a cool 32 not out to steer Fordham to the win, which was wrapped up with more than 10 overs to spare.

Sawston’s Josh Ives enjoyed an excellent spell with the ball as he took 3-16 from his 10 overs, but it wasn’t enough to derail Fordham, who will looked to replicate their good form when they take on Somersham at the weekend.