Khanagha's 91 sinks 'Optis' in Fisher clash

A CLASSY 91 from Sher Khanagha set up a 28-run victory for Wanderers over Optim-ists in the annual Dave Fisher Memorial Trophy match on Saturday. Glorious sunshine at the KGV greeted the season's opener as last year's cup winners, Wanderers, took on the 2006 weekend league champions, Optimists. And it was the former Kent Premier League all-rounder, Khanagha, who starred as he took advantage of a good batting surface to help Wanderers set a challenging total of 233 from 45 overs.

Optimists, who like their opponents were missing a number of key players, fell 28 short on 205.

'I very much enjoyed it,' said Khanagha.

'The opposition's bowlers bowled very well but it was a very nice batting track. When I came in it was a bit hard work to get used to the pace because I've been batting in the indoor nets recently.

'But it's a very good batting track. Then we bowled well and we stuck to it in the field.'

The right-hander faced 80 balls and hit three sixes and eight fours before Ian Damarell stumped him off the bowling of Tom Magson. Wanderers captain Richard Veillard was delighted with the performance of his star player.

'Sher batted very well and he was unfortunate not to get a hundred,' he said.

'He played some lovely straight shots.'

Pierre Moody was the next highest scorer for Wanderers with 32 when he came in down the order. In reply, Optis got off to a good start with openers Tim de Putron and Damarell posting 59 for the first wicket before Moody bowled de Putron.

Damarell went soon afterwards and it was left to Optis captain Andy Biggins and new signing Magson to try and see them home. But when Magson went for 26 caught by Moody off Arjit Datta, Biggins started to lose partners before he went for a horrible swipe and was clean bowled by Phil Challenger with one of his slow off-cutters.

Challenger ended up with three wickets for 35 runs while Moody also took three for 37 in their victory.

'It's not often you get weather like this in April. It's fantastic and it's a good wicket,' said Veillard.