Corinthians beat Westwood in season opener

A season opener between two amiable yet competitive teams ended with a victory for the Corinthians. Put into bat under hovering clouds on a damp and green, but utterly playable Smith Murphy wicket, Corinthians recovered from early casualties to post a fighting 131 for 7. Raj (30) Abbas (20) and Andrew (17) posted gritty knocks to pillar their team and later, new Corinthian skipper Richard (14) partnered with debutant Imran (24) and Cliff Severn Jr.'s flashing willow (9) to extend the target for Westwood who had displayed great skill to move the ball in the air extract bite off the pitch. Nikhil, Ajay, Saurabh and Faisal did well sharing 6 wickets with Nikhil giving away only 9 runs in his 7 overs - truly unreal figures until Richard took the new ball for the Corinthians. Leading from the front, the skipper's magnificent display of fast bowling had Westwood's top order desperately fishing, ducking and fending for answers. Subba and Westwood skipper, Raj Saha managed to survive and took the fight to the Corinthians with some effective strokeplay. It wasn't quite good enough as a well-marshaled Corinthian attack drove the rest of the nails into Westwood's coffin, striking at crucial stages of the game. Gokul came back for a second spell to dismiss Subba (28) and Andrew sent back the dangerous hitting Raj (36) with a beauty. Imran, who bowled with superb control taking care of a stubborn Faisal (12), and Abbas ended the threat of Saurabh for 18, ending Westwood's run chase for 113 all out. Richard had astonishing bowling figures of 7-4-4-4 and that in the end, was the difference. Imran capped a fine debut with 24 runs, 2 catches and 2 wickets. Plaudits to Westwood for their spirited display, and all the very best from the Corinthians for the games ahead. A fine team performance on the field by the new-look Corinthians, supporting each other, that augers well for the rest of the season.