Ellis-Grewal: Ilford have good players

Wanstead captain Joe Ellis-Grewal is expecting a tough encounter when his side take on bottom club Ilford at Valentines Park this Saturday.

With two more 50-over matches to play until the timed format is reinstated, Wanstead currently find themselves 13 points behind Essex League Premier Division leaders Chelmsford, following their 80-run win over Harold Wood.

However, the pressure is on with Brentword breathing down their necks in third place, just six points behind Ellis-Grewal’s side after both celebrated victories last week.

Since drawing with Wanstead in late May, Ilford have lost six of their last seven matches, their only victory coming against defending champions Chingford two weeks ago.

They marginally missed out on a second consecutive victory last weekend as they were defeated by just three runs at Loughton, after being set 301 to win.

Nigel Jacobs was the star performer for the visitors, hitting an impressive 123 off 130 balls, which included 13 fours and a solitary six.

With a minor resurgence in form, Wanstead captain Ellis-Grewal believes Ilford will pose a particularly tricky challenge, despite the derby rivals being at opposite ends of the table.

“They’ve got some really good players at the club,” said Ellis-Grewal.

“We won’t be taking them lightly at all. We’ll being going into the match knowing that we will need to play well to get the win.”

Wanstead have been showing great form recently after looking a tad lacklustre in previous weeks.

They suffered there successive defeats – including in the Dukes Essex T20 to Division One leaders Hornchurch – but were back to their brilliant best against Harold Wood last weekend.

Adnan Akram chipped in with 101 off as many balls, which included nine fours and two sixes, as Wanstead reached an impressive 300 off their 50 overs after electing to bat first.

Slow left-armer Ellis-Grewal then claimed five wickets, while Zain Shahzad, Mohammed Fayyaz Khan and Misem Ali Syed Zaidi also contributed as Wood were bowled out for 220, losing their last three wickets for just 19 runs.

“Adnan was a different class really,” added Ellis-Grewal.

“He came in at a tough time and took the game away from the opposition.

“The bowlers and batters both did their jobs well. It was a very good performance.”