3rd X1 REVIEW OF THE YEAR

Date: 1st October 2021

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS and EVERYONE TAKING PART.

After the “Covid 19” season of 2019, 2020 saw 3rd XI return to normality with good cricket being played hard but fair amongst all the Saturday and Sunday teams.

The Saturday Leagues were won by Northern 3 (GK)(Premier Division) and Maghull 3 (1st Division) respectively

Whilst the Sunday Leagues were won by Southport & Birkdale CC (Premier Division), Formby CC 4 (North Division) and Oxton CC Sun XI (South Division).

Formby and Oxton will be playing in the Sunday Premier League next season

Congratulations to all the winning teams.

In the Saturday Premier League we unfortunately lost Birchfield Park who were unable to play due to ground issues resulting in only one side would be relegated and that was eventually Orrell Red Triangle 3s.

Stats for the Premier Division include ALISTAIR BROWNE (Northern GK) who top scored with 548 runs,

CHRIS TOMS (Merseyside Sports & Cultural Cricket Club) was leading wicket taker with 43 wickets, special mention to JAMES CROMAN (New Brighton CC) who took 4 x 5fers including a league seasons best 9/29 v Liverpool CC.

In the 1st Division, Birkenhead Park 4ths finished ahead of their 3rds to get promoted to the Premier Division alongside Champions Maghull 3.

DELWAR HOSSAINwith 459 runs and JAHANGIR SHAH with 57 wickets (including 6 x 5fers) both Birkenhead Park 3s players were leading batsman and bowler, whilst the best bowling belonged to Northop Hall CC 3s MICHAEL ARDEN with 8/34 v South Liverpool CC.

In the Sunday Premier League, Southport and Birkdale’s IAN SUTCLIFFE was both leading scorer 917 runs (including 3 x 100s and 5 x 50s)and leading wicket taker with 29 wickets. SURANGA DIAS had the best bowling performance for South Liverpool 8/40 against Orrell Red Triangle 4s.

In the North Division, BENISH SHUKLA (Fleetwood Hesketh CC) was top scorer with 585 runs and ANURAG SODHANI (Wigan CC 3) leading wicket taker with 29 wickets, GEORGE HATTON (Formby 4s) with 7/24 v Lytham CC had the best bowling analysis in this division.

In the South Division LEO SPILSBURY (Sefton Park PS) was both leading scorer 420 runs and took 26 wickets in total, STEVE WILLIAMS (Oxton Sun XI) had the best division bowling figures of 7/38 v Sefton Park (PF) XI.

In the MIKE LEDDY Cup, Merseyside Sports & Cultural Cricket Club beat Northern CC in the final at Bootle CC by 30 runs with RAHUL RAJ taking the man of the match award for his 5 wickets which included a Hat Trick to finish the match.

Finally congratulations to all the players and officials of the 3rd XI clubs for making this difficult season with all its problems into what turned out to be an enjoyable season, and I hope that 2022 will be as good.

Thanks must go to Love Lane Brewery for their continued support of the League, to the League Management Committee for their help and advice throughout the season and to my Committee for their input as well.

Winter well, looking forward to the 2022 season.

Eddie

Picture shows the successful Merseyside Sports and Cultural Cricket Club receiving the Mike Leddy Trophy from Eddie Shiff.