The Cricketer Village Cup: Quarter-Final preview

With Lord’s looming, THOMAS BLOW analyses the chances of each remaining side

It’s still nearly two months until The Cricketer Village Cup Final takes place at Lord’s - but for those teams still competing, they know they are just two wins away from fulfilling a childhood dream of playing at cricket’s most prestigious venue. 

Milford Hall v Astwood Bank

The first Quarter-Final will be a tight affair as both teams eased to victory in the previous round. After Tom Webb picked up 4 for 31 to restrict Barby to 111, Milford Hall strolled to an eight-wicket victory. 

What was most impressive about their run chase was the 47-run stand that openers Stuart Phazey and Aaron Afford shared - a promising sign for the hosts.

But they will probably need a far greater opening partnership in this match. Astwood Bank were very destructive in the last round, scoring 303 for 7 to take the game away from their opponents Fillongley. 

The visitors will be hoping for another big performance from skipper Pete Alexander, who scored more than a third of their runs in that match with an impressive century. 

Houghton Main v Egerton 

Although they’ll be very excited for this match, Egerton will be hoping Houghton Main’s deadly bowling duo of Imran Khan and Biswick Kapala have an off day. Between them, they’ve picked up 32 wickets in the tournament, with Khan (19 at 4) sitting at the top of the wicket-taking standings.

Their form has helped them bowl out several teams - including defending champions Folkton & Flixton, who were skittled out for just 58 in the last round. 

But the visitors have also proved they can bowl sides out. In their last match, they knocked over 2013 champions Egerton for 142. 

Egerton also have two in-form batters in Cian Dickinson and Anthony Clegg, who put on more than 100 runs between them in the previous round. 

Foxton v Reed

After their last two wins, Foxton will be confident of going all the way this year. In Round Five, they bowled out big-hitting Worlington for just 107, and in their last game against Findon, they posted an unreachable total of 308 for 4 - the biggest innings of the round. 

They’ll be hoping Alex Hooley can do the business again after he hit 108 off just 100 against Findon. All eyes will be on Steven Atherton too as he has 15 wickets at 6.73 - an average only bettered by Khan of Houghton Main.

But Reed won’t be an easy opponent. The two-time champions enjoyed a comfortable six-wicket victory against Borstal in their last match after skittling out the winners of the Kent group for just 83.

Their man in form is Jack Tidey, who claimed 6 for 21 in the Sixth Round. They’ve also got his impressive relative Sean to call upon, who is the second-highest run-scorer remaining in the competition with 329 runs at 65.8.

Sarisbury Athletic v North Perrott

Debutants Sarisbury Athletic will be looking to continue their dream campaign after their tight three-wicket victory over Cumnor.

If they’re to progress to the last four, they’ll surely need the duo of Josh and Sam Hill to perform. With 334 runs at 66.8, Josh is the highest run-scorer remaining in the tournament and the fourth overall. And with 14 wickets at 10.29, Sam is currently this year’s fourth-highest wicket-taker. 

But North Perrott know how to win on the road. The Somerset & Avon champions managed to beat Frocester by just one run in their last match to record three consecutive away victories.

The visitors will be hoping Sam Roswell, who picked up three wickets and a run-out against Frocester, will continue his good form. They’ll also be needing George Retter - the eighth highest run-scorer in the tournament with 264 runs at 66 - to perform with the bat.