Plenty of talking points in Isle of Wight cricket this week

The Islanders defeated Sparsholt by 43 runs in Division 1 of the IPA Greene King Premier League at Steephill on Saturday.

Their success was underpinned by the 25-year-old Sir Lankan left-hander’s superb knock — making light of a recent debilitating bout of Covid-19 to dominate the game, as he cracked 17 fours and eight sixes in the 112 deliveries faced.

In a rapid start, the all-rounder shared an opening stand of 94 with Mark Fletcher (33) — the pair scoring at a rate of nine runs per over.   

Mark Fletcher gave Thimodya good support with the bat.

The runs continued to flow as the stylish Thimodya flayed the Sparsholt attack to all parts of Steephill as Ventnor posted a challenging 294.

The visitors began well, before Charlie Calloway (2-53) and Thimodya (2-40) broke through.  

But at 208-4 with ten overs remaining, the Winchester side were still in the hunt. 

However, the dismissal of Frith for 115, thanks to a fine Will Mew catch and the first of two wickets for Ross Whyte, turned the match in Ventnor’s favour, as Sparsholt closed on 251-8.

Martin Blackman performed well with the bat for Ventnor against Sparsholt.

Ventnor are one of three sides with 100 per cent win records so far after two games.

In Division 1 of the Hampshire League, Ryde suffered a 108-run defeat at home to Burridge.

The visitors batted first, posting 266-7, with Sam Rockley the pick of the Ryde bowlers with 3-33.

Ryde struggled against a good Burridge bowling attack, as they tumbled to a modest 158 all out — Ellis Ridett (32) and Ash Goldsmith (30) showing most resistance. 

The crazy and controversial dismissal of Shanklin and Godshill’s Seb Egerton-Read — run out for 22 — was caught on video and went viral on social media over the weekend.

Dineth Thimodya played an incredible innings, smashing boundaries to all corners of Steephill.

After believing he had been caught behind, the Portsmouth and Southsea keeper dropped it as Seb was trudging off and a slip fielder picked up the ball and took the bails off.

The MCC comfirmed it was out, though they suggested it was not in the spirit of the game, commenting: “The fielding captain could’ve withdrawn the appeal, if he wished.”

Read: VIDEO capturing Shanklin cricketer's controversial run out goes viral

Away at Portsmouth in Division 3 (South), the Islanders won it by 13 runs, with captain, Benji White smashing an unbeaten 130, well supported by Ollie Niemiec (64) in their total of 252-5.

Benji, Andy White, and Nathan and Harry Moore each grabbed two wickets.

Benji White smashed 130 not out foor Shanklin and Goshill at Portsmouth and Southsea, as the Westhill club went on to win by 13 runs. Photo: Dave Reynolds

In Division 4 (South), Ventnor II beat Kerala II away, with Rob Snell the man of the match as they won by six wickets.

The all-rounder claimed 4-20 in an excellent nine-over spell of seam bowling, working well with off-spinner, Toby Noyes, who returned 4-44, as Kerala were skittled out for 142.

The left hander then took the lead with the bat — cracking a succession of boundaries in a fine unbeaten 88 to win the match with 22 overs to spare.

Dineth Thimodya was free scoring against Sparsholt.

Ryde II also won their game — beating United Services Portsmouth by 54 runs.

The Islanders scored 226-5, with Andy Day hitting 91 and Tom Roscoe, 70 not out.

They bowled the hosts out for 172, with Ben Wadmore (5-28) and James Williams (3-22) doing the damage.

Meanwhile, in the Division B of the Isle of Wight Senior Cup, Newport beat Arreton by 32 runs.

Newport hit 200-9, with Ryan Young (68) and Ash Brett (56) top scoring, with James Curtis (3-17) the pick of Arreton’s bowlers.

A beautiful shot played on the leg side by Martin Blackman of Ventnor.

In reply, Arreton could only reach 168-6, with Gary Cooper (51) and Kevin Cooper (50 not out) the stand-out batsmen.

Will Vincent (46) top scored as Ventnor III won their tie against Shanklin II by seven wickets at Westhill.

The home side had were restricted to 123-9, with Pete Brown taking 5-29 in a tight seven-over spell.

                                               SATURDAY'S FIXTURES
Southern Premier League — Liphook and Ripsley v Ventnor; Hampshire 1 — Old Basing v Ryde; Division 3 (South) — Shanklin & Godshill v Cadnam; Division 4 (South) — Ryde II v Kerala II; Ventnor II v Cadmore Sports III; Island League, Division 1 — Cowes v Shanklin & Godshill II; Newport v Freshwater; St Helens v Northwood; Division 2 — Northwood II v Ryde III; Ventnor III v Newport II.