King Khan leads way for Royton

CRICKET:

STAND-IN professional Mohammed Zaman Khan totally eclipsed his counterpart Mo-hammad Hanif as Royton took maximum points at the expense of Oldham in yesterday’s Lake Garage CLL derby clash at the Paddock.

The performances of the pair could hardly have been further removed.

Khan, standing in for Luke Procter — on 12th-man duty for Lancashire against Yorkshire at Headingley — took six for 38 and made an unbeaten 90.

On the other hand, Hanif was out for a first-ball duck, took none for 25 off three overs and was a liability in the field.

There, in a nutshell, is the reason why Royton won this game by a comfortable seven wickets.

Royton’s victory was achieved at a price, however. New skipper Matt Ward, who has recently recovered from a broken wrist, went over on the same joint while fielding and was taken to hospital for an x-ray.

Early fears were of a second break which could force another lengthy absence for the luckless batsmen.

After taking first guard, Oldham were soon in trouble as young Royton quickie Matthew Hodson ripped out three batsmen, his victims including Hanif, yorked without scoring.

In-form skipper Chris McDonnell was also out for a duck, as were three other Oldham batsmen in a disappointing 173 all out.

Three batsmen stood out — overseas amateur Keelan Gossayn (43), Abid Fasil (40) and Craig Joy, whose quickfire 45 included some lusty blows.

Hodson (three for 27) caused the early mayhem, but Zaman Khan’s six for 38 with his offcutters sealed Oldham’s batting fate.

Despite the absence of Ward and Simon Brierley (on holiday), Royton were always in full control of their run chase.

Going at six an over for the first 10, they were so far ahead of the required run rate that they even had the luxury of occasionally taking their foot off the gas.

John Punchard (22) and Liam Brown (40) chipped in with useful contributions, but this was an innings — and a match — totally dominated by Zaman Khan, whose unbeaten 90 off 82 balls included four sixes and nine fours.

He certainly earned his pay and I suspect it won’t be the last time we see him at the Paddock this season.