BURNHAM skipper Harveer Gandam believes that the ability to disrupt Slough’s gameplan was the key to their two-wicket win on Saturday.

Gandam claimed local bragging rights when Burnham chased down their rivals total of 264-4 in the 50 overs clash at the Memorial Ground.

The home side closed on 266-8 with five balls to spare for the win, with Aftab Khan (53), Gandam (50) and Karan Kumar (47) the top scorers.

The Burnham skipper told the Observer: “It was a really good game of cricket and a good advert for the sport, made better because we were on the right end of the result.

“We didn’t start well and aren’t used to that, so we turned to ‘Plan B’ early on to change it up.

“We brought on Aftab (1-24) and luckily he got a wicket in his first over because otherwise we could have been in trouble with Nabil Shah (20) looking like he wanted to get on with things. We got back into our normal gameplan after that.

“Slough built one partnership but it wasn’t hurting us because they weren’t scoring at a quick enough rate. They did well to get to 264 in the end.

“In the last 7-10 overs we were looking at 230 but Slough put the accelerators on, helped by poor bowling and fielding, but it was a score we could chase.”

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Karan Kumar stands at the crease in his innings of 47 in the win against Slough.

Gandam continued: “We lost two early wickets in the chase but in 50-over cricket you’ve got to keep the scoreboard moving so I took on that role.

“We know Slough well and tried to disrupt their gameplan, and that helped us win the match. We knew which bowlers they wanted to use and a what times and we disrupted them which meant they could not use their main men.

“We went after their left-arm spin bowler and Slough had to make changes.

“We got the win but it could have been even better and there are lessons to learn for us.

“Slough were pumped up and excited because they had taken two early wickets, then Karan and I got out playing bad shots. We could have gone on to get a ton but you live and learn.”

The win leaves Burnham fifth in Home Counties Division One with a trip to third-placed Banbury up next this Saturday.

Gandam commented: “You can’t rest in this league and have got to take each game as it comes. We’ve enjoyed the Slough victory and have now got to get our heads ready for the next one.

“Banbury are our bogey team, I don’t think we’ve won there, but we would like to stamp that out.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Harveer Gandam plays a shot into the off side en route to his half-century on Saturday.

“But, for us, it’s about playing the right brand of cricket. We’re full of potential but it’s about playing with the right mentality.

“Sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot rather than getting out-played, so hopefully that’s something we can eradicate.”

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