Aussie all-rounder smashes blistering 49-ball century

8:47am Monday 12th May 2008

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AUSTRALIAN all-rounder Dan Wilson smashed a stunning century off only 49 balls as York Cricket Club cruised to victory over Harrogate.

Wilson's blistering knock carried York to a ten-wicket victory in the Oxbridge Yorkshire ECB County Premier League at Clifton Park.

Having reached his 50 off 26 balls, Wilson upped the scoring rate to complete a ton that included 13 fours and six sixes.

His opening partner, Duncan Snell, was unbeaten on 41 as York eclipsed Harrogate's all-out total of 157.

Harrogate won the toss and chose to bat, but it did not take the home side long to strike.

In only the second over, Neil Laidlaw dismissed opener Adam Patel, caught low down by Wilson at second slip.

This brought Imran Patel, Adam's brother, to the crease and he helped opener Clark add 58 runs for the second wicket in 19 overs.

Imran Patel was then bowled by off-spinner Alex Renton, who had formed an all-spin attack with Wilson with the wicket giving little help to the quicker bowlers.

Four quick wickets then fell, leaving Harrogate struggling on 77-6 after 31 overs.

Number four batsman Nick Lindley, who had survived the collapse, was joined at the wicket by Harrogate skipper David Stiff, a former county player.

The duo rescued their side with a fine stand of 67 in 18 overs, lasting 53 minutes, before Stiff was caught by York skipper Marcus Wood off Tom Bartram's bowling for 29.

Nick Lindley went on to complete his half-century before being run out as a result of a brilliant piece of fielding by Bartram. His 56 included eight boundaries.

The last two Harrogate wickets quickly fell to leave them all out in 51.5 overs.

Alex Renton returned figures of 3-28, while Wilson had 4-56.

Snell and Wilson then began their quest to score 158 for victory, and what happened during the next 68 minutes could only be described as savage slaughter.

Wilson, especially, hammered the Harrogate bowlers to all parts of the ground in an exhilarating display of batting. In his innings of 115, he received only 53 balls.

Snell ably supported him to finish on 41 not out, having received the same number of balls as his partner.

However, it takes two batsmen to form a partnership and Snell's innings should not be underestimated.

The ten-wicket win saw York take the maximum eight points from as one-sided a game as you are likely to see at this level.

The win puts champions York fourth in the table, behind Barnsley, Hull & YPI and Doncaster.