Plymouth's Riaz caught on the boundary going for sixth six in same over

Big hitter - Plymouth

PLYMOUTH’S Faizan Riaz took the Hatherleigh bowling apart as the city side hurtled to a six-wicket win in the Premier Division’s basement battle.

Hatherleigh made 176 for nine in a game reduced to 44 overs a side – Zipo Zondo top scoring with 47.

Such is the bizarre world of Duckworth-Lewis, Plymouth were tasked with making 185 to win in the same 44 overs!

Cock-eyed or not, Riaz slammed 92 off just 37 balls as Plymouth shot past Hatherleigh’s total with more than 15 overs to go.

Skipper Jon Varcoe (26) and James Toms (43) gave Plymouth a 63-run start, which Riaz embellished with 11fours and seven sixes in his 92 off 37 balls.

Riaz was out with10 runs needed for a Plymouth win – caught on the boundary going for a place in Devon League folklore.

Paignton’s Mark Ashworth has the only documented claim for hitting a bowler for six sixes in one over – Seaton’s Pete Lawson the hapless bowler.

Riaz hit Gareth Tidball for five sixes one after the other – then faced a dilemma.

“After hitting the fifth consecutive six he looked towards the side and asked whether he should go for the sixth, or try to get his hundred,” said Plymouth skipper Jon Varcoe.

“The bowler gave him a full-toss but, unfortunately, Faizan was caught right on the fence at long-off.

“He was playing a different game to everyone else.”

Hal Kerton with 22 not out saw Plymouth to victory.

Earlier, debutant Adam Talbott took four Hatherleigh wickets for 28 runs to break the home side’s middle-order batting.

Seamer Talbott, a Plymouth College student, accounted for Zondo and Tidball (30) – they put on 70 for the third wicket – as well as Niall Leahy and home skipper Mark Lake.

Sam Stein, Matt Petehrbridge and Riaz all bowled economical spells below four an over.

Victory gives Plymouth a 12-point cushion between themselves and the second relegation place, now occupied by Bradninch.

Said Varcoe: “It was a good win on a day when we finally put everything together.

“Adam Talbott bowled superbly and Faz played a different game to everyone else.”

Hatherleigh captain Mark Lake said: : We got in a good position with the bat and then collapsed. 

“With the ball we didn't have much luck but a brilliant innings from Riaz took the game away from us in a matter of overs.”

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