Saliwa inspires KVCC to victory (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Saliwa inspires KVCC to victory

10:22am Monday 7th July 2008 in Sport

KIDDERMINSTER Victoria CC got back to winning ways against Leamington in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division as fast bowler Mario Saliwa found his form again on Saturday.

After a barren spell of four games without a win KVCC roared back with a fine bowling and fielding display in Warwickshire.

It was no coincidence that the Chester Road side's victory corresponded with Saliwa's re-emergence.

The pacey South African had struggled to find his form in June but showed what a fearsome competitor he could be by taking six wickets for 75 runs.

After winning the toss captain Jonathan Wright decided to bowl first and saw his decision justified when Saliwa caught and bowled Michael Balac (4).

Arfan Khan was also bowling well, conceding few runs, but Saliwa struck again in his fourth over when Craig Wood, fielding at slip, took a very good catch to remove Chris Cheslin (2) as Leamington were reduced to 14-2.

Khan was rewarded with the next wicket when keeper Josh Knappett caught Mark Lewis for 14.

Tom Lewis (16), became Saliwa’s third scalp when Knappett took another catch, as Leamington dropped to 62-4 in the 17th over.

Leamington lost two more wickets without a run being scored, with Rob Williams caught magnificently by Ted Baylis off Mark Mansell's bowling, while Luke Radford was dismissed by Saliwa.

KVCC's opponents were only able to add six more runs before Saliwa took his fifth wicket, having overseas player Faisal Irfan caught by Wood.

Lee Hopkins (7) was caught by Wright to ensure that Saliwa completed his second six-wicket haul of the season.

Former Warwickshire man Neil Smith hit a quickfire 39 runs, an innings which included seven boundaries, but Saliwa caught him off Mansell's bowling.

Mansell took 3-15 from seven overs, while Arfan Khan gave wonderful support without any luck, taking 1-26 during eight overs as Leamington were bowled out for 118.

Having bowled Leamington out in 30 overs, KVCC had 80 overs to reach the target for victory but were troubled by the home side's bowlers.

They got off to a shaky start when opener Baylis was caught by Balac off Irfan's bowling for a duck.

Luke Radford conceded 30 runs off his first two overs, but Irfan was virtually unplayable, with his height and speed causing KVCC's batsmen a lot of problems.

Knappett had reach 30 off 36 balls before he was dismissed by Irfan.

Irfan claimed another victim when he had Neil Pinner caught by Smith as KVCC continued to struggle.

Andy Siwicki (16 not out) and Craig Wood settled in and guided KVCC to 119-4 inside 26 overs.

Wood’s score of 46 had seen him face some very good bowling by Irfan and Westwood.