UWMCC set to reach play-offs

The University of Warwick Men’s Cricket first-team qualified for the play-offs with a nine-wicket demolition of Manchester at Leamington Cricket Club.

The visitors compiled 255 from their 50 overs, but an unbeaten 109 from Varun Anand and a belligerent 65 from Daniel Williams saw the hosts to victory.

The result secured a fourth-placed finish, meaning a likely semi-final against the Bristol University first-team.

A win against Newcastle the previous day had secured Warwick’s status in the BUCS Premier Division for another season.

However, after Manchester won the toss and elected to bat, it was immediately clear that Warwick were not taking their opponents lightly.

Sharp fielding meant that early wickets largely came from run-outs, while fast bowler Mark Phillips consistently beat the outside edge of the Manchester batsmen – the hosts playing what was described by Warwick as “dig-in cricket”.

But after a surge midway through their innings, a quickfire three wickets from Nirru Ravee restricted Manchester to a competitive but not insurmountable 255.

Despite a steady start to their innings, Anand and Williams were visibly confident of reaching the required runs by themselves. But after completing their century stand, Williams was bowled for 65.

Ravee accompanied Anand at the crease, as the opener completed his century with a sumptuous cover-drive before hitting the winning runs a few overs later.

His 109 came from just 89 balls, while Ravee was left one run short of his half-century off 27 balls.

It is now likely that Warwick will compete in the play-offs for the chance to play in the MCCU (Marylebone Cricket Club University) league, a university branch of the most famous cricketing brand worldwide.