An imperious innings of 81 not out from Aaron Jones alongside 58 from Xavier Marshall and 4 wickets from Steven Taylor has guided Team USA to a winning start in the 50 Over Series against United Arab Emirates at the ICC Academy Oval in Dubai.
USA captain, Saurabh Netravalkar lost yet another toss and the UAE decided to bat first in perfect cricketing conditions as the sides moved on from the weekend’s Twenty20 Internationals to start a series of 50 over games as Team USA focus their preparations ahead of the crucial ICC World Cricket League Division 2 in Namibia next month.
Nosthush Kenjige and Jan Nisar Khan came into the starting XI for the first time on the tour with Ali Khan still being rested as he continues recovery to 100% fitness. It was Jessy Singh and Saurabh Netravalkar who took the new ball and although the run-rate was kept in check there was no breakthrough forthcoming.
Steven Taylor’s off-spin went on to take the first four wickets to fall with No 1. through No. 4 all falling to the all-rounder who completed his 10 overs with the wonderful figures of 10 Overs 2 Maidens, 4 for 38. It was late in the home side’s innings that the USA really started to come into the ascendancy as late wickets for Netravalkar and Silva combined with a run-out to spark a late collapse of 5 wickets for just 21 runs.
A late UAE collapse after superb USA bowling restricted the hosts to 209 All Out
From 188 for 5 to 209 all out, it meant that 210 was the magic number for USA to get their first ‘W’ of the tour. It was a watchful start from openers Marshall & Patel and when Patel fell in the 7th over he was followed quickly by Steven Taylor who fell for a duck and USA were in trouble at 34 for 2.
Marshall then took the leading role in his partnership with Aaron Jones before falling for a fluent 58 which included 9 boundaries. Jaskaran Malhotra then came together with Jones in a 62 run partnership that put the game right in the balance before Malhotra ran himself out for 31.
Any concerns about the chase and escalating run-rate were put to bed as Jones put on a rapid partnership of 45 before Jan Nisar Khan came in to hit the winning runs as USA won by 5 wickets with 15 balls to spare.
There was no doubt about the Man of the Match though as Aaron Jones’ superb knock of 81 off 107 balls guided USA to a first win on the tour and a 1-0 series lead.
You can see the full scorecard by clicking here.
Team USA schedule in UAE:
March 15 – USA v UAE (2pm) – T20I – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai – NO RESULT
March 16 – USA v UAE (2pm) – T20I – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai – LOST BY 24 RUNS
March 18 – USA v UAE (10am) – 50 Overs – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai – WON BY 5 WICKETS
March 19 – USA v Lancashire (10am) – 50 Overs – ICC Academy Oval 1, Dubai
March 21 – USA v UAE XI (10am) – 50 Overs – Sevens Cricket Ground, Dubai
March 22 – USA v UAE XI (10am) – 50 Overs – Sevens Cricket Ground, Dubai
March 24 – USA v UAE XI (10am) – 50 Overs – Sevens Cricket Ground, Dubai
March 25 – USA v UAE (10am) – 50 Overs – Sevens Cricket Ground, Dubai
March 28 – USA v UAE (10am) – 50 Overs – Sevens Cricket Ground, Dubai
