Epsom College keep themselves on track for The Cricketer Schools 100 crown

Epsom showed their mettle by weathering a spirited display from Dean Close School in their penultimate match of the tournament

Scoreard

Epsom College showed their mettle by weathering a spirited display from Dean Close School in their penultimate match of The Cricketer Schools 100 2024.

Epsom, unbeaten in this tournament, shuffled their batting order and rested opening bowler Alex Chambers but soon found themselves in some disarray against a vastly-improved bowling display from winless Dean Close in the opening game of day four at Desert Springs.

The rejuvenated Henry Read bowled unchanged from the top end for 3 for 9, leaving Epsom 12 for 4 after the Powerplay.

But the Surrey side managed to bring themselves back up to a run a ball, Ralphy Albert scoring 32 and Nathan Farmer chipping in with a late 22 not out down at No.9.

Dean Close also sought to give their players an opportunity in their fourth game of the tournament, throwing the ball to nine different bowlers. George Collingwood also bowled three economical overs at the end.

Ben Lord took the last wicket off the 100th ball to leave Dean Close chasing an intriguing 102 for victory.

Given Epsom’s quality with the ball it needed a brisk start from the Gloucestershire school to challenge the target, but they found boundaries hard to come by against very persistent bowling, and wound up on 80 for 8 in reply.

Epsom will look to seal their crown tomorrow in their last match, against Westminster School.

All games at The Cricketer Schools 100 are being streamed using FrogBox kit. See how to capture all your cricket with FrogBox by clicking here.