Maxwell Banks Points For
Grange
Saturday saw Largo 1st XI entertain
Grange III at East Drive in Division 2 of the East of Scotland league.
Largo, who had pushed themselves back into second in the division after last
weeks win were looking to carry it on against a Grange side who have had mixed
fortunes so far this season.
Largo lost the toss and were asked to
bat on the usual fantastic East Drive track. Without usual opening
partner Walker, who was away on holiday, Mohammed Sharif opened with Guy
Robinson. The two openers made a steady start as the Grange bowlers kept
it tight. Sharif was the one who was finding his form as he played his
usual mix of aggressive cuts and pulls matched with some watchful defence.
Robinson, who has struggled a little bit this season for runs, wasn't finding
it easy but he was starting to get more confident before he was caught off the
bowling of Krazinski for a dogged 16. Kinnear arrived at the wicket
looking to help Sharif move the score along. Grange were not giving much
away and Sharif was having to take more chances which was starting to pay off.
Kinnear had hung around for a hard working 11 before he was bowled by McCoy.
Asman came and went for 4 and Largo were again in danger of another collapse.
In between this Sharif had reached his 50 and was the one Largo batsman who
looked comfortable against the tight bowling. The two Largo "pinch
hitters" Safyaan Sharif and Chris Barclay were sent in early by skipper
Duncan in the hope they could up the ante for the Fifers, who were now on 132.
Both men who have a had a big impact with the bat this season were both
despatched in quick succession for ducks and Largo were 142 for 5 with their
allotted overs rapidly running out. Mowat arrived at the crease and
kept the score ticking over with clever dabs and paddles for singles.
Then, with the score nearly on the 150 Sharif was bowled off his legs by
M.Banks for a fantastic 83. Duncan and Mowat pushed things along further
with good running between the wickets mixed with a few fours along the way.
Duncan was out for a quick 11 and not long afterwards Mowat was bowled
for a fine 23. Largo were still way short of a good score and with only
a few overs remaining they still needed a to get at least over the 200 to have
a total to defend. Up stepped Arfan Yousuf, who promptly despatched the
Grange bowlers for the first time in the match to all parts of the ground.
6's and 4's were common place as he found support from Smith at the other end
and at the end of the 50 overs Largo had got up to 203 with Yousuf finishing
with an aggressive 28 not out, a fine effort against some very good bowling
and fielding, the best Largo had seen so far this season.
Grange started their innings poorly as
both Sharif's had their batsmen in trouble from the off. Mohammed Sharif
was bowling with good aggressive pace and "Safi" was beating the
outside edge on a regular basis. It was Mohammed that struck first,
removing Pollock for 0 and a couple of overs later it was "Safi" who
did for Kernaghan for 0 as he edged one to Kinnear behind the stumps and
Grange were 8 for 2. This perfect start was to be short lived however as
17 year old Maxwell Banks, a name that wouldn't look out of place on a
West Indian team sheet but who's as Scottish as they come, proceeded
to play the sort of innings that you see at the very top level of the game.
All the Largo bowlers were treated with absolute disdain as Banks played an
almost flawless innings. He scored very quickly and everything he hit
was hit hard and along the ground. No matter were the Largo fielders
were placed he was able to find the gaps and the boundaries to match. He
raced up to 50 in no time and with Duncan trying to mix his bowlers up it made
no difference to the youngster. The game was slipping away quickly for
Largo and with only another wicket, Krazinski caught off the bowling of
Barclay for 22. Banks was joined at the crease by Churcher and these two
finished the game off in style for the capital men. The Largo bowlers
were looking tired and eventually their misery was compounded as Banks reached
his century and finished the game off in the 39th over to remain unbeaten with
128, a brilliant innings which the Largo men could only admire. Churcher
had been a good foil finishing unbeaten on 42. This was easily the best
team Largo had faced this season and they will take a lot from it. The
match was sponsored by Innes Johnston & Co.