SLOUGH captain Bobby Sher is delighted that his side were able to raise their game in a five-wicket win at Oxford on Saturday.

The visitors suffered a blow when opening bowler Ikhlaq Nawaz injured his shoulder in the nets before the match.

However, they were still able to reduce Oxford to 180-9 from 64 overs thanks to Sulaiman Akhtar (4-40), Muhammad Haroon (3-56) and Ali Akbar Raja (2-38).

Slough reached 181-5 in response for the win with summer signing Conrad Louth leading the run chase on 73 runs - his third half-century of the season.

Sher told the Observer: “We lost the toss and Oxford decided to bat first, but we would have done the same because the wicket looked slow and low, plus it was hard to score runs on.

“Ikhlaq injured his shoulder before the match got under way. He should be out for just a week or two but we will keep an eye on it because we don’t want to rush him back too soon.

“That meant Shahid had to bowl with the seam up, which is has done for us before, and he did a fantastic job opening the bowling with Mohammad.

“They didn’t have too much luck having beaten the bat four or five times, but Oxford batted well to begin with.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Conrad Louth top-scored with 73 runs for Slough in the five-wicket win at Oxford on Saturday.

“They didn’t look to score runs quickly and wanted to hang around, but they would have been the happier team at the lunch break.”

He continued: “Our spin bowlers were brilliant after lunch. Sulaiman has worked hard over the winter having played in the third team last season.

“He bowled absolutely magnificent in only his second match in the first team and that showed in his figures.

“Ali Akbar bowled well too and all the bowlers were backed up in the field, so it was a good show.”

Sher added: “We fancied our chances to chase the total and Daniyal Akhtar (35) batted well with Conrad, who was superb again. His change in gear when necessary is brilliant.

“Shahid (36) and I (17) then pushed the score on before our tail helped push us over the line.

“I’m delighted and it was a better performance in all three departments from the previous week, plus we enjoyed ourselves.”

The win means Slough have moved up to third position in Division One of the Home Counties Premier Cricket League ahead of a visit to Upton Court Road from Finchampstead this Saturday (11am start).

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