AK 11 CC beaten in National Indoor semi-final at Lord's, player movement involving Oundle Town, Market Deeping and Orton Park
AK 11 Cricket Club’s bid to win the National Indoor title at Lord’s failed at the semi-final stage.
The Hunts Division One side were well beaten by eventual champions Waterlooville from Hampshire after collapsing to 42 all out against high-class opposition.
Waterlooville play their cricket at Hampshire Premier League level and are a huge club compared to AK 11 so there was no disgrace in defeat. It’s only the second time the Hunts Indoor champions have reached Finals Day.
AK won the toss and elected to bat, but were soon in trouble at 18-3. Only Zeeshan Ul Haq Makhdoom (18) and captain Sudheer Jafeer (10) reached double figures as AK were dismissed with almost three of their 12 overs still to be bowled. Waterlooville lost no wickets before confirming victory.
Waterlooville went on to beat Kent champions Whitstable in the final on a day when low-scoring in a newly-refurbished indoor centre was the norm.
Werrington Cricket Club, who recently won the latest Hunts Indoor League, will compete in the National ECB Competition next year.
CRICKET EXTRAS
Opening batsman Josh Smith has left Market Deeping and joined prominent Northants Premier Division club Oundle Town.
Market Deeping suffered a relegation from the Lincs Premier Division for the first time in the club’s history last season and will compete at South Lincs Championship level this summer.
The Lincs Premier Division starts on Saturday, April 25 when Burghley Park open with a home derby against Spalding and Bourne Town visit Lindum. Oundle host Burghley Park in a friendly on April 18. Oundle are fancied to challenge strongly for the Northants Premier Division title after second and third placed finishes in the last two seasons. They have further boosted their ranks with the signing of a professional South African seamer.
Orton Park CC will also be contesting the South Lincs Championship this season after winning Division One in 2025. The city club have signed an overseas player in Adrian van der Westhuyzen. They have also signed leg-spinning all-rounder Charlie Crisp from Long Sutton and all-rounder Mikey Atkinson from Billingborough. Connor Parnell will skipper the side.
The South Lincs Championship season starts on April 18 when Market Deeping entertain Moulton Harrox and Orton Park host Boston.
Castor CC will be competing in South Lincs Division One this summer. They will be running two teams this season after running just one last term.