Spin king’s milestone
Reporter: Kevin Richardson
Date published: 01 August 2011
NEAR MISS... Imran Aslam almost snares another victim, but Heyside batsman John Selby’s edge evades first slip’s clutches
CRICKET: UPPERMILL king of spin Imran Aslam has become the first player in the Saddleworth and District Cricket League since 2001 to take 100 wickets in a season.
The 30-year-old professional reached the landmark figure – Flowery Field’s Mohammed Azim was the last player to achieve the feat – during the three-wicket defeat of Austerlands yesterday.
Aslam, from Pakistan, took his tally to 105 with another destructive spell of bowling for the high-flyers.
He weighed in with eight for 52, which included a triple-wicket maiden, as visitors Austerlands were dismissed for 169. Paid man Humayun Farhat hit a rapid 113.
Aslam, in his first season at Leefields, started the weekend on 92 league and Tanner Cup wickets, but closed within three of the milestone at title rivals Heyside on Saturday.
The leg-break bowler did come in for a bit of stick, though, as his last over went for 26 in the hosts’ total of 227 for eight.
Scott Bloor scored an unbeaten 59 while pro Roelof Hugo, back after a spell on the sidelines with a stress-related illness, made 16.
Uppermill, who were 188 for seven, reached their target with one wicket to spare.
Matt Taylor (68), Dave Wood (41) and Michael Bird (24) made important contributions, but it was the last pair, brothers Mark and Will Lees, who held their nerve after coming together needing six to win.
Stuart Moore claimed six of the nine wickets to fall.
Heyside bounced back to beat Droylsden yesterday – Mark Barnes scored 49 not out - but trail the pacesetters by 75 points.
Farhat scored plenty of runs for Austerlands on Saturday – but like yesterday, the Pakistani all-rounder ended up on the losing side.
This time he made 66 out of 194 against Hollinwood, who had earlier posted 227 for nine at Nursery Fields.
