Brittle batting is cause of Wiltshire County CC's demise (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Brittle batting is cause of Wiltshire County CC's demise

WILTSHIRE'S brittle batting was the cause of their nine-wicket demise against Cheshire in the Minor Counties Championship match at Trowbridge on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Winning the toss, Wiltshire got off to a good start with Damian Shirazi (70) and debutant Peter Dennett (37) putting on 101 for the first wicket.

But after lunch, when spinners Chris Schofield (4-49) and Nathan Dumelow (4-51) took control, Wilts slumped to 215 all out.

Richard Bedbrook (21) and Richard Illingworth (29), with 49 for the eighth wicket, provided the only resistance.

Cheshire proceeded to maximum batting points, totalling 334 all out with Dan Leech scoring 54, Andrew Hall 74, Chris Schofield 70 and Nathan Dumelow 79. For Wiltshire James Hibberd took 3-41, James Golding 3-57, Toby Sharpe 2-41 and Richard Illingworth 2-102.

But Wiltshire fared worse in their second innings with only Damian Shirazi (62) making a second half-century. James Gold-ing (30) and Baqar Rizvi (16) reached double figures.

Cheshire's opening bowlers, David Pennett (5-54) and Jason Whittaker (4-39) did the damage. Wiltshire were all out for 156, leaving Cheshire to score 38 to win, which they did for the loss of one wicket. Cheshire 24pts, Wiltshire five.

Wiltshire will have to pick themselves up when they take on Cornwall in the semi-final of the MCCA Knockout Cup at Corsham on Sunday, 11am start.

The Cornish line-up includes former first-class players Tony Penberthy and David Roberts (both Northants) and Ryan Driver (Worcester and Lancs) as well as the current Somerset player Neil Edwards.

Wiltshire are bring back former captain Steve Perrin for his first county match of the season.

Squad: Capt R Rowe (South Wilts), N Shardlow (Corsham), R Bedbrook (Bec-kenham), M Coles (Bridgwater), J Golding (Keynsham), J Hayward (South Wilts), J Hibberd (BAT Sports), K Nash (Bashley, S Perrin (Corsham), B Rizvi (Spencer), T Sharpe (Corsham), D Shirazi (BAT Sports).