Taylor claims a brace during Bears fun day

ALCESTER and Ragley youngster Charlie Taylor starred for Warwickshire Bears as they stormed to a convincing victory over a Warwickshire League side at a showcase game at Stratford Sports Club.

The teenage pace ace took 2-29 to help his side to a 132-run victory in front of a huge crowd at Swans Nest with the game following on from a community event that had the players coaching and signing autographs with the children who had taken part in a softball competition held in the afternoon.

Batting first, the Bears scored 270/7 from their 20 overs. Opener Jake Lintott scored 44 off 29 balls with Chris Benjamin adding a quick-fire 30.

But it was Hamza Shaikh and skipper Rob Yates who did the real damage. The former smashed 59 off 27 deliveries including six 6s while Yates was even quicker reaching his half-century with his 52 coming off just 17 balls.

Michael Booth added 30 and Kai Smith 29 while Michael Dinneny was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-40.

The Warwickshire League side included Stratford’s Osian Catlin in their side but were never up with the run rate required particularly after opener Hasan Mahmood had been trapped lbw after reaching 25 off 24 balls.

Taylor took the wickets of fellow opener Usama Khan and Catlin while an unbeaten 29 from 16 balls from Hassan Farooq came too late to lift his side.

Andy Wyles, participation and growth manager for the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation, said: “The aim of the event was to get the Bears out around the county to meet with those who come and see them play and it proved a really good experience for all concerned.

“There was a coaching clinic in the afternoon and a softball competition, and it was great seeing the players mix in and passing on some coaching tips.

“For the match, we had a strong team out and the league side included a player from each of the teams in the Premier Division which was a great connection for them to play against the Bears.”