JAIDKA CUP FINAL: Captain Morgan warms up for big match with a Twenty/20 ton

Asim Butt in action for Peterborough Town.

Morgan cracked a quickfire century (seven sixes) in a 45-run Stamford Charity Cup semi-final success at Barnack. Barnack closed on 165-7 chasing Bourne’s 210. Rob Bentley (61) also batted well for Bourne.

Bourne now await the winners of a semi-final between Ketton and Market Deeping which has been re-scheduled for Monxday, July 11.

Tonight’s final had already been billed as a duel between Morgan and Peterborough Town’s batting star Asim Butt.

Centuries in T/20 cricket are rare, but Butt and Morgan have both delivered spectacular tons in this season’s Jaidka Cup.

Butt smashed a brilliant 128 not out from just 49 balls in a big semi-final win over Wisbech last week.

Morgan mauled the Nassington attack for a 30-ball ton in a quarter-final tie.

It will be tough for both batsmen to emulate that feat with Bretton Gate’s bigger boundaries and a surface that could well turn out to slow and low, conditions that rather negates Town’s home advantage.

“I doubt it will be a pitch where a team scores 180,” Peterborough skipper David Clarke admitted. “The weather’s made pitch preparation tricky in the last few weeks and it’s not been easy to score runs quickly.

“We played a T20 game at home last Friday on a pitch that couldn’t have suited us less, but we will know what to expect and I expect a big improvement.

“We’re not at full strength, but our second team is playing well at the moment so I’m confident those who come in will play well.

“We don’t play Bourne very often, but we know they have good players. Pete Morgan’s record is one we have to respect.”

Town are without injured fast bowler David Sayer tonight as well as paceman Jamie Smith and free-scoring batsman Tim Young who are unavailable.

Peterborough Town: David Clarke, Lewis Bruce, Asim Butt, Ajaz Akhtar, Chris Milner, Danny Oldham, Mohammed Danyaal, Marcus Howard, Balaji Ganesan, Joe Dawborn, Alex Mitchell.

Bourne: (to follow).

Scores

Bourne 210-5 (P. Morgan 101no, R. Bentley 61).

Barnack 165-7.