LONDON – The Nigeria Senior male Cricket team, the YELLOW GREENS, left London on Thursday evening for Jersey Island ahead of their first match against Tanzania on Saturday in the ICC world league division 4 qualifier.
The Nigerian delegation led by Mr. Kayode Adeniyi, comprises of 14 players and two officials arrived London last week Wednesday. They have played two friendlies, won one and lost one.
Senior male team, YELLOW GREENS on Monday 16th May battled hard against Free Foresters Cricket Club in Essex United Kingdom.
Weather conditions were severe as the YELLOW GREENS struggled to play under the extreme cold condition One of the reasons for the pre-tournament tour is for the players and officials to familiarize with weather and get used to playing on the turf wicket.
The free foresters won the toss and elected to bat scoring an impressive 276 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs. double half centuries from the bating side ensured a solid base for which the Free Foresters were able to excel
Nigeria’s Oyede Adeleke came top in the bowling effort for the team with 4 wickets in 8 overs and gone for 49 runs.
In the second innings, the Yellow greens struggled to exert themselves in the game as wickets dropped after every other over seeing the batting line-up crumble like a pack of cards. However, Captain Kunle Adegbola led from the front to put up a last fight but fell short of a half century scoring 48 runs, other contributors were Bejide with 16 runs and Oluseye Olympio 21 runs.
In the end the YELLOW GREENS were able to manage a score of 136 runs all out which was impressive in regards to the playing conditions available. the Game against Melbourne Cricket Club is expected to be better contested and that game comes up on the 18th of May.
The second game against Melbourne Cricket Club showcased a tremendous improvement as the YELLOW GREENS battled against tough weather conditions and a team class. The game was keenly contested with little details and familiar territories playing in favor of the Host team.
The YELLOW GREENS won the toss and elected to bat first scoring a total of 197 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in 47 overs. top performer for team Nigeria was Emmanuel Okwudili with 51 runs strogly supported by Onikoyi Ademola 37, Adegbola Kunle 28 runs and Adedeji Sesan with 23 runs.
In the Second innings, Melbourne Cricket Club chased down the score in in 32 overs for the loss of 3 wickets.
Meanwhile the head of the delegation, Kayode Adeniyi said the team are battled ready for the competition known fully well that the first two teams in the final standing will be promoted to division 4 while the third position remain in division 5, the rest will go back to region that is playing regional competition to gain promotion back to world cup league.
