SACA win again: "I thought we might find 15 or so players... I think we might have found 40"

GEORGE DOBELL: SACA, who last week completed a maiden victory in the match against Northants, have won again by beating Surrey's second team

The South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) have completed their second win in succession with a 20-run victory over Surrey Second XI.

SACA, who last week completed a maiden victory in the match against Northants, were grateful for a century from Savin Perera, the 23-year-old former England U19 batter, who played for Middlesex at age-group level.

While Perera, opening the batting, made 118, the next highest score from the SACA side was just 35 made by Jafar Chohan at No.10. Harry Porter claimed 5 for 25 for Surrey.

In reply, Surrey were bowled out for 226 in 47.4 overs with Chohan, a 19-year-old leg-spinner on debut, impressing with 2 for 42. Brinder Phagura, a medium-pacer with an excellent array of variations, claimed 4 for 36 while Atif Sheikh again impressed with his pace in taking 2 for 17.

Victory was all the more pleasing for the SACA management as seven of their first-choice team were absent on county trials and another player, Kashif Ali, has been signed by Worcestershire. Kashif made 108 in the Second XI Championship match against Warwickshire that is currently in progress.

^{Kashif Ali has joined Worcestershire until the end of the season}

The SACA scheme, based upon the PhD research of Tom Brown at Birmingham City University (BCU), is aimed at correcting the current trend which sees over 30 per cent of recreational cricketers in England and Wales classified as 'British Asian' but the figure drops to under five per cent when it comes to men's professional cricket.

It involves selecting a squad of players who do not currently have contracts and providing them with tailored training plans and dietary advice in the aim of helping them win deals within the county system.

The scheme is funded through a grant worth £50,000 from BCU. The ECB have, to date, declined to contribute.

"I hope this victory provides another reminder to the counties about how much untapped talent there is out there," Brown told The Cricketer. "Even I'm surprised by it. I thought we might find 15 or so players who could push for professional contract. I think we might have found 40."

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• First SACA graduate gets pro deal as Kashif Ali joins Worcestershire