Maddy shows his international pedigree to destroy Wardens

Former England one-day and T20 star Darren Maddy provided Kenilworth Wardens with a batting masterclass as his imperious unbeaten 158 led league leaders Berkswell to a seven-wicket win, writes Paul Smith.
Harry Johnson again impressed from the opener's berth, scoring 88 for Kenilworth Wardens. Picture submittedHarry Johnson again impressed from the opener's berth, scoring 88 for Kenilworth Wardens. Picture submitted
Harry Johnson again impressed from the opener's berth, scoring 88 for Kenilworth Wardens. Picture submitted

The 43-year-old former Warwickshire skipper highlighted the gap between professional cricket and even the Birmingham Premier League, which is possibly the strongest club competition in the country.

His ability to clinically despatch anything remotely off line to the boundary set him a class apart from the other 21 players, even on a day when the champions-elect fielded six men with first class or list A experience.

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Maddy struck 22 fours and a six to steer the hosts to their 263-run target with ten overs and seven wickets remaining. They now hold a 49-point lead at the head of the table and seem certain to secure the title well before the end of the season.

By contrast, Wardens have slipped to fifth place after consecutive defeats, but will take heart from half-centuries for Harry Johnson, Basit Zaman and especially Nathan Edwards, who crashed a brilliant unbeaten 75 from only 43 balls after their middle-order had collapsed.

On a flat pitch with one very short boundary, teenage opener Johnson again impressed against a quality seam attack led by Derbyshire’s Tom Milnes and Griqualand’s Gerry Cloete.

His 103-ball 88 contained 12 boundaries and, in partnership with Zaman (53), he had taken Wardens to a position to post a 300-plus total at 137 for one.

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However, former Glamorgan all-rounder Nick James (4-69) dismissed both well-set batsmen before becoming the chief beneficiary of some poor shot selection.

Cloete, who finished with four for 78, then bounced out the middle-order with a fiery spell, and at 187 for nine the visitors had lost eight wickets for 50.

Last man Matt Hancock then joined Edwards in an excellent 75-run tenth-wicket partnership.

The slow left-armer followed his defiant knock against Walmley the previous Saturday with another solid effort, while Edwards blazed away to outstanding effect.

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He survived being bowled by a Cloete no ball on 18 to hit eight boundaries and four maximums in a knock which ensured his team posted a competitive total.

Wardens’ hopes were further boosted by the early dismissal of Mark Best, but Maddy looked in ominously good touch in taking the score to 73 with second-wicket partner Chris Whittock (18).

The veteran opener was then joined by another former Bear, Tom Lewis, in a 140-run third-wicket stand which effectively ended Wardens’ chances.

Left-handed Lewis struck six fours and a six in his 52-ball 50 and, after his dismissal, Milnes joined a growingly aggressive Maddy, whose unbeaten 158 came from only 137 balls, in seeing the hosts to a comfortable win.