Welcome to Week 1 of the Scouting Cricket Newsletter. Where we aim to cover just some of the goings on from the world of under 24 cricket. With this week’s focus on Milton Shumba, Kartik Tyagi, County Championship and the Under 19 World Cup Qualifiers.
Remember the name: MILTON SHUMBA
We need to talk about Milton Shumba. A 20-year-old left hander who masterminded Zimbabwe’s 2-1 series win over Scotland. Living up here means you don’t often get the opportunity to see top level cricket so close to home, so the series against Zimbabwe was a welcome surprise when it was announced earlier this summer. I caught the Third T20I, where Scotland had the visitors 65 for 3 after 10 overs, chasing 178. Being honest, the game looked almost beyond doubt. However, up step young duo Milton Shumba (20) and Wesley Madhevere (21). A 99-run stand in 8.5 overs changed the game. Shumba struck 66* from 29 balls, with 2 fours and 6 sixes, including a mammoth heave over deep square leg that sailed out of the picturesque Grange and onto the road by Edinburgh Accies rugby club. 18 in 3 balls, then a single to get Madhevere on strike, who then followed suit as the right hander launched Ali Evans over mid-wicket and not the tennis courts in a match changing over.
Madhevere fell for 43(31), but the job was done in a very impressive partnership. Shumba was fearless, destructive and an absolute game changer, which he showed glimpses of doing in the first match. A name to remember, that’s for sure. From a biased point of view, I hope the Scottish seamers learn their harsh lesson of how little the margin for error is ahead of the World Cup and execute their skills on the big stage.
TYAGI ANNOUNCES HIMSELF
“He needs to improve on his accuracy and have more control so that captains can have more trust in him in pressure situations.
“He looks like he has all the ingredients to achieve this.”
These were the words used in Issue 1 of the Scouting Cricket Magazine (buy yours below if you haven’t already), to describe the Indian top and tail pacer. He defended four in the final over to seal a remarkable win over Punjab Kings. FOUR. Yep, four. 0 1 W 0 W 0 was the last over. This is the game that will spring his career and give captain’s more trust to execute his skills as his previously higher economy rates needed work.
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Bears crowned County Champions
After a dramatic final set of matches in the County Championship season, which saw four teams still in the hunt to take the trophy, it was Warwickshire who came out on top after defeating Somerset. Rob Yates (22), has been the main youngster part of the group, scoring four centuries (the joint highest in the competition) as he amassed 793 runs @ 37.8. The Bob Willis Trophy Final gets underway tomorrow against Lancashire at Lords.
Under 19 World Cup Qualifiers
My native Scotland had an indifferent World Cup Qualifying campaign, with emphatic wins over Jersey and Netherlands, who had a side featuring full time internationals Vikramjit Singh and Aryan Dutt.
Check out our podcast with Netherlands Head Coach Ryan Campbell, who spoke about Singh and Dutt from the 34 minute mark.
Scouting Podcast Episode 8 - Best Dutch Youngsters
But after being given a lifeline to make the final, Scotland ultimately lost out. I particularly like the look of Sean Fischer-Keogh. He initially caught my eye after playing against him in a Western Premier League match against Greenock, where despite losing 13 of their 14 matches, Fischer-Keogh grabbed 23 wickets, bowling with a bit zip opening up. However, it was Ireland who ended the tournament victorious, emphatically
bowling the Scots out for 44 in the group and 66 in the final. Matthew Humphreys, a slow left arm spinner tore through Scotland’s batting lineup with figures of 4/11 and 5/25, as well as a more than useful run a ball 32 in the group game.
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