BINFIELD Cricket Club hosted an invitation only Chilterns League All Star as a part of their 150th anniversary cricket festival week.

The visiting team were a hand-picked opposition made up of well respected, good friends of the club formed during their previous respective league meetings over recent years.

A close match was expected and it was birthday boys Binfield who emerged victorious in the limited overs clash.

Binfield skipper Sean Ennis and his opposite number Andy Prasad – usually of Wraysbury CC – agreed to let the All Stars bat first.

Aref Popalzai (Wraysbury) and Alex Hardy (Chalfont St Giles) made a positive start on a good batting track, with the former bringing up a fantastic half century in quick time.

Hardy was dismissed by Ian Goddard for 34 and Holyport’s Chris Morgan fell to the same slow bowler for 17.

Goddard also claimed the important wicket of Popalzai for an excellent 56.

The visitors then saw Arslan Yaseen (Littlewick Green) run out cheaply by Mike Staves off his own bowling, before Staves removed Taplow captain Simon Goodrham for five.

Nick Barber (Penn & Tyler’s Green) added a useful 23, but wickets continued to tumble too frequently for the All Stars.

Barber and skipper Prasad were both dismissed by young paceman Alex Jackson, while White Waltham’s wicket-keeper captain Chris Metherell fell to Adam Carson.

This saw Denham duo Faisal Mahmood and Bobby Rai occupy the crease together, but leg-spinner Michael Carson ended the former’s stay.

The latter ended unbeaten on seven, with Cloudesley Long (White Waltham) also not out with three as the All Stars posted 178-9 from their 40 overs.

Binfield’s reply did not start well as Steven Carson was caught behind for 10 off seamer Mahmood and Ennis was dropped in the slips off Prasad.

It was a pivotal moment as Michael Carson blasted a quickfire 18 before becoming Mahmood’s second victim as Ennis moved quickly into his stride at the other end.

All Stars’ man-of-the-match Mahmood also accounted for Michael Allan-Canty to finish with figures of 3-52, but Ennis reached his half century as Binfield raced towards the winning target.

Paul Edgington added a quick-fire 20 to assist his captain before being bowled by leg spinner Long (1-38), and Matt Humphrey batted brilliantly for an unbeaten 39.

Ennis did eventually fall to Yaseen for an oustanding 83 when he was caught on the boundary, but Greg Simmonds steered Binfield comfortably home from there to seal the five-wicket victory.

Ennis put his side’s win into perspective by saying: “I could not have asked for a better day to celebrate and pay tribute to the history of the club. I also want to thank the All Stars who gave up their time to join us.

“We had great fun, witnessed some quality cricket and strengthened some good friendships. It was great to see so many players from different clubs enjoy each other’s company and mix together so well.” All Stars captain Prasad added: “Celebrating 150 years of cricket is a testimony of a club’s journey through rich history, and has set a precedence for the new generation of players which Binfield CC keeps churning out.

“It shows strength of character and passion for the game. We have played lots of games against them over the years and the players and the people associated with the club are one of the most friendly bunch you could find.

“To be invited and skipper the All Star team to play against Binfield has been a privilege. It was a smashing day of cricket with players from different teams coming under one roof to play and enjoy the game.” l BINFIELD 1st and 2nd teams return to Morrant Chilterns Cricket League action this weekend.

Both teams were without a league fixture last weekend.

The title-chasing first team entertain Chalfont St. Giles in Division One.

Meanwhile, the second team face a trip to Amersham Hill in Division Two.

BINFIELD Cricket Club hosted an invitation only Chilterns League All Star as a part of their 150th anniversary cricket festival week.

The visiting team were a hand-picked opposition made up of well respected, good friends of the club formed during their previous respective league meetings over recent years.

A close match was expected and it was birthday boys Binfield who emerged victorious in the limited overs clash.

Binfield skipper Sean Ennis and his opposite number Andy Prasad – usually of Wraysbury CC – agreed to let the All Stars bat first.

Aref Popalzai (Wraysbury) and Alex Hardy (Chalfont St Giles) made a positive start on a good batting track, with the former bringing up a fantastic half century in quick time.

Hardy was dismissed by Ian Goddard for 34 and Holyport’s Chris Morgan fell to the same slow bowler for 17.

Goddard also claimed the important wicket of Popalzai for an excellent 56.

The visitors then saw Arslan Yaseen (Littlewick Green) run out cheaply by Mike Staves off his own bowling, before Staves removed Taplow captain Simon Goodrham for five.

Nick Barber (Penn & Tyler’s Green) added a useful 23, but wickets continued to tumble too frequently for the All Stars.

Barber and skipper Prasad were both dismissed by young paceman Alex Jackson, while White Waltham’s wicket-keeper captain Chris Metherell fell to Adam Carson.

This saw Denham duo Faisal Mahmood and Bobby Rai occupy the crease together, but leg-spinner Michael Carson ended the former’s stay.

The latter ended unbeaten on seven, with Cloudesley Long (White Waltham) also not out with three as the All Stars posted 178-9 from their 40 overs.

Binfield’s reply did not start well as Steven Carson was caught behind for 10 off seamer Mahmood and Ennis was dropped in the slips off Prasad.

It was a pivotal moment as Michael Carson blasted a quickfire 18 before becoming Mahmood’s second victim as Ennis moved quickly into his stride at the other end.

All Stars’ man-of-the-match Mahmood also accounted for Michael Allan-Canty to finish with figures of 3-52, but Ennis reached his half century as Binfield raced towards the winning target.

Paul Edgington added a quick-fire 20 to assist his captain before being bowled by leg spinner Long (1-38), and Matt Humphrey batted brilliantly for an unbeaten 39.

Ennis did eventually fall to Yaseen for an oustanding 83 when he was caught on the boundary, but Greg Simmonds steered Binfield comfortably home from there to seal the five-wicket victory.

Ennis put his side’s win into perspective by saying: “I could not have asked for a better day to celebrate and pay tribute to the history of the club. I also want to thank the All Stars who gave up their time to join us.

“We had great fun, witnessed some quality cricket and strengthened some good friendships. It was great to see so many players from different clubs enjoy each other’s company and mix together so well.” All Stars captain Prasad added: “Celebrating 150 years of cricket is a testimony of a club’s journey through rich history, and has set a precedence for the new generation of players which Binfield CC keeps churning out.

“It shows strength of character and passion for the game. We have played lots of games against them over the years and the players and the people associated with the club are one of the most friendly bunch you could find.

“To be invited and skipper the All Star team to play against Binfield has been a privilege. It was a smashing day of cricket with players from different teams coming under one roof to play and enjoy the game.” l BINFIELD 1st and 2nd teams return to Morrant Chilterns Cricket League action this weekend.

Both teams were without a league fixture last weekend.

The title-chasing first team entertain Chalfont St. Giles in Division One.

Meanwhile, the second team face a trip to Amersham Hill in Division Two.