2018 Cricketer Cup - Final

Old Cranleighans 175-8 (20 overs) Old Malvernians 123 (19.4 overs)

Persistent rain at Arundel prevented the 2018 final from starting until 2.30pm when it was agreed to play a T20 match rather than opt for a replay. Will Gifford, Old Malvernianscaptain, won the toss and decided to bowl. Old Cranleighans made a blistering start with 50 on the board in the first 5 overs for the loss of their captain, Seren Waters, who made a rapid 29. The players were then driven off the field by rain for another 30 minutes delay. When they returned Michael Burgess of Sussex played some wonderful shots before falling for 56 to an excellent catch in the deep by Zen Malik. Alan Cope kept up the assault with a quick 31 but the Malvern leg-spinners, Malik and Ardash Shah, bowled well to peg back the run rate, Shah finishing with 2-19 off his 4 overs. Nevertheless, the Cranleigh score of 175-8 looked above par.

Malvern were missing their semi-final match-winner in Tom Kohler-Cadmore, not released by Yorkshire, and they were faced with the pace of Stuart Meaker of Surrey, who took 2-15 off his 4 overs. Only Alex Milton with 38lookedlikelytoplaya decisive innings and Malvern fell well behind the required rate as all the Cranleigh bowlers applied the pressure. The leg-spinner Angus Dahl bowled well to take 3-27 off his 4 overs and Bruno Broughton took3-8 off only 2 overs.Malvern were all out for 123 in the final over.

The Cricketer Cup was presented to Seren Waters by Anthony Wreford, President-designate of MCC. Thanks go to Alan Lorenz for his sponsorship of the competition and to Linzi Deayn, Herbalife consultant.

(David Walsh)