Skipper Bird flies but Chesterfield are pegged back

Frustrated Chesterfield were disappointed they were unable to turn a flying start into outright victory in their second match of the new Derbyshire Premier League season at Queen's Park.
Captain-for-the-day Mykylo Bird, who fired a half-century for Chesterfield.Captain-for-the-day Mykylo Bird, who fired a half-century for Chesterfield.
Captain-for-the-day Mykylo Bird, who fired a half-century for Chesterfield.

After being asked to bat first by visitors Alvaston and Boulton, they raced to 104-1 and looked on course for a total approaching 300, only to be pegged back to 234.

And then after taking two early wickets with the ball, they failed to take full advantage and allowed Alvaston to recover to 209-7 for a losing draw.

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The early flourish was supplied by captain-for-the-day Mykylo Bird, who fired a stylish 53 (two sixes and six fours) in a first-wicket stand of 73 with coach Andrew Parkin-Coates (25, four fours).

Callum Hiron, fresh from making an unbeaten ton for the seconds the previous week, survived a torrid start and showed a good temperament to add a gutsy 49 (seven fours) at number three, and the good work was continued by Ross Whiteley, who added 37 (two sixes and three fours) at four.

By the 30-over mark, the board read a very healthy 156-3. But then the Alvaston spinners, most notably Hamidullah Qadri (5-43 in 12,1 overs) and Chris Stevenson (4-68 in 13 overs) slowed the run-rate down, and wickets began to fall.

Man-of-the-match Qadri then played a huge role in rescuing the visitors’ batting after early blows had been struck by Josh Savage (2-54). He made 43 and shared a third-wicket partnership of 115 with overseas player Matthew Gapes, who cracked 14 boundaries in an impressive 94.

Both were removed by Chesterfield’s rising star, 15-year-old spinner Luke Baddeley (3-36), but Alvaston held on, despite the 500th league and cup wicket of his long career for Brian Gladwin (2-39).