Associate Players in The Hundred – Week 3 – Wheal gives Spirit first win

Scotland seamer Brad Wheal starred on his debut in The Hundred, producing a match-winning performance, as a number of Associate players continue to perform for their respective sides.

Women’s Competition:

Scotland’s wicketkeeper, Sarah Bryce, has continued her fine tournament behind the stumps. She added a further dismissal to her tally, a regulation stumping to claim the wicket of Birmingham Phoenix captain Amy Jones off the bowling of Dane van Niekirk. Oval Invincibles cruised to victory, with Bryce’s batting not required.

Playing against Sarah Bryce in that fixture was compatriot Abtaha Maqsood. Maqsood had a tough day, conceding none for 28 with the ball from 20 balls. She later scored 2* off 4 balls with the bat. She was in action for a second time in the week, in Phoenix’s win over Welsh Fire. Maqsood claimed the wicket of Hayley Matthews in her one for 32, as Phoenix romped to a 10-wicket win.

Scotland skipper Kathryn Bryce was also in action for Trent Rockets. In her side’s win over Welsh Fire, Bryce bowled an economical spell of none for eight off 10 balls. She was not required to bat as Rockets won by four wickets.

Kathryn was denied an opportunity to play against her sister Sarah, as the match between Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets was washed out without a ball bowled.

Men’s Competition:

Dutch seamer Timm van der Gugten made his debut in The Hundred for Trent Rockets on Sunday. Van der Gugten had a tough night, conceding 29 runs off 10 balls, though he claimed the wicket of Will Jacks in the rain effected game. He also made 1* with the bat as Rockets lost to Oval Invincibles.

Colin Ackermann was in action for Manchester Originals in last Thursday’s match against Southern Brave. Ackermann made 11 off 10 balls, but didn’t bowl as the rain interupted the match.

Fellow Dutch spinner Roelof van der Merwe was expensive in his efforts against Northern Superchargers. He conceded 32 off 20 balls, and scored 12* off 14 as Spirit slumped to their fourth defeat of the competition.

Tuesday’s match between London Spirit and Manchester Originals was the pick of the week, with 4 associate players involved. Brad Wheal made his debut for Spirit alongside van der Merwe, and Fred Klassen returned to the Originals side with Ackermann.

Neither of the Originals’ associate bowlers had a great day. Klaasen conceded 19 off his 10 balls without taking a wicket, and Ackermann 16 off 10, as Spirit made 142/6. Van der Merwe added 11* off 8 balls for the Spirit.

In the chase, Ackermann was the star of Manchester’s efforts, making 53 off 40 balls, including 3 sixes. Whilst van der Merwe was expensive for Spirit, going for 32 runs off 15 balls, Brad Wheal was the star of the show. He struck with his first ball of the competition to remove Phil Salt, before returning later to claim Ackermann’s wicket at the death. Left with 8 to defend off the final 5 balls, Wheal bowled Calvin Harrison, before claiming Klassen hit wicket off the last ball, conceding only 2 runs in the final 5. Wheal finished with figures of four for 17 off 20, and was awarded Player of the Match.

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