Heroics by Parkin-Coates fail to save Chesterfield

Player/coach Andrew Parkin-Coates on his way to an unbeaten 86 against Ticknall. (PHOTO BY: John Windle)

A spectacular, late fightback was not enough to prevent a three-wicket defeat for Chesterfield away to tabletopping Ticknall in a fascinating Derbyshire County League, Premier Division match.

Despite posting a total of 231-9 in their allotted 50 overs, Chesterfield looked to be heading for a heavy defeat as the hosts raced to 125-1 in reply, with opener Paul Borrington sharing stands of 67 with Tom Wood (36, seven fours) and 58 with Richard Brown (25, five fours).

But then a change of bowling suddenly transformed their hopes as player/coach Andrew Parkin-Coates (4-34 in eight overs) took four quick wickets to leave Ticknall tottering on 153-6 and the outcome in the balance.

Unfortunately, Borrington was not one of his victims and he proceeded to prove why is one of the league’s best batsmen by going on to make an undefeated 114, which included 19 boundaries.

With help from Waseem Fazal (30, one six and three fours) in a seventh-wicket partnership worth 69, he steered Ticknall home with 11 balls to spare.

Earlier, man-of-the-match Parkin-Coates had also been Chesterfield’s hero with the bat, hitting 86no, including one six and 11 fours, in a typical innings of tenacity and style.

His runs followed fine knocks from opener David Hunt (47, one six and seven fours) and Alex Hibbert (23, four fours), but Parkin-Coates lacked meaningful support and on such a small ground with a fast outfield, the total looked short of par.

Instead most of the plaudits were reserved for Ticknall’s bowling, led by Fazal (4-63 in 14 overs) and Aidan Wheeler (3-64 in 12 overs), and fielding, which was very impressive.