Theakston Player of the Round: Faisal Zeeshan Hussain (Stayley)

Zeeshan scored 72 runs from 99 balls at No.8 to rescue his side from 27 for 8 against Halkyn

Halkyn must have been in dreamland during the early stages of their Voneus Village Cup round three clash with Stayley.

After winning the toss and electing to field, the Welsh side had their visitors 27 for 8 inside nine overs, with Jamie Griffiths picking up six wickets in his first five overs and Nathan Lavender also striking twice during a blistering spell with the ball.

However, one Stayley batter had other ideas, with Theakston Player of the Round Faisal Zeeshan Hussain offering bold resistance from No.8 to score 72 runs from 99 balls and drag his side into triple-figures. Stayley were eventually all out for 110, with James Beresford and Alex North combining to remove Zeeshan in the 35th over.

He shared a 36-run ninth-wicket stand with Joshua Healy (11 off 24) before putting on a further 47 runs with 15-year-old Leighton Parker, who did his best Oliver Hannon-Dalby impression to finish the innings on 0 not out from 41 balls.

Zeeshan, Stayley’s opening bowler, also removed Shaun Gibson lbw and posted figures of 1 for 18 from his eight overs to help his side to a 37-run win.

^{Woolpit's Marcus Packer won the Theakston Player of the Round award in round two [supplied]}

Commenting on his performance, Zeeshan said: "I was a bit nervous and under pressure but I said to myself, 'Faz, just play your natural game' and I enjoyed every ball I faced. After that performance, my confidence is really high and I’m excited for the regional final. Hopefully, I can perform again and for the rest of the season."

Captain Andy Gleave labelled Zeeshan’s contribution "exceptional", commenting: "Obviously with the situation we were in – 27 for 8 or maybe, worse – we thought we were done and dusted.

"Zeesh’s knock in the circumstances was exceptional. He showed all his class, experience and a massive amount of character. I cannot speak highly enough of it. Setting us up to get to 110 gave us hope and Zeeshan dragged us to that.

"A special mention for Leighton, who hung around with him for 41 balls for the best 0 he will ever get."

Simon Theakston of Theakston Brewery added: "Halkyn captain Ben Roberts must have been pleased with his decision to put visitors, Stayley, into bat [but] Faisal Zeeshan Hussain coming in at No.8 was about to change things. With great maturity and skill, he steadied the Stayley ship and build up a magnificent 72 runs over half of which in boundaries, to give the Stayley bowling attack something to go at.

"In response Halkyn seemed to being making heavy weather of the run chase until a mini recovery from their late order batsmen swung the balance back in their favour.

"Cometh the hour, cometh the man, Zeeshan removed any doubt of a Stayley victory with a crucial wicket contributing to his outstanding bowling performance. A superb performance and a very worthy winner of the Theakston Player of the Round."

Stayley CC will receive a case of Theakston beer following Zeeshan’s Player of the Round-winning performance during the Voneus Village Cup. For more information about Theakston visit https://www.theakstons.co.uk/. Visit https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/ for the facts.