John Chambers took his tally past 13,000 Essex League runs for Wanstead

Batsman reaches 13,000 league runs

South Woodford 136 all out lost to Wanstead & Snaresbrook 137-0 by 10 wickets

Wanstead captain Arfan Akram was quick to shine the spotlight onto fellow opener John Chambers following an emphatic victory against South Woodford.

The skipper top-scored with 74 not out but insisted all the focus should be directed towards 40-year-old Chambers, whose score of 53 not out saw him reach the milestone of 13,000 first-team runs for Wanstead.

Akram said: “It’s always good to contribute as captain and it was nice to score 74 runs.

“But I’d much prefer to shine the spotlight on John Chambers, who has now scored 13,000 runs for Wanstead’s first team in the Essex League

“He’s a one-club wonder and he rightfully took all the limelight on Saturday.”

After falling to their first Premier League defeat of the season the previous weekend, Wanstead were eager to bounce back in style.

With South Woodford being put in to bat first, Maurice Chambers (4-40), Mohammed Fayyaz Khan (3-28) and Joe Ellis-Grewal (3-28) restricted the visitors to 136 all out (with Pratik Acharya scoring 41 runs).

And the opposition had no answer as Akram and John Chambers put together a partnership of 127 (plus 10 extras) to see Wanstead to victory, leaving the captain delighted with the side’s display.

He said: “Our response to the previous league result was perfect and confirms the positive vibe we have.

“We bowled and fielded very well and it was a very professional performance.

“The key word for us was discipline – especially in the field. We were very patient at times.

“Our bowlers stuck to their game-plan and that was very reassuring.”

Akram admitted the club had enjoyed an excellent week after seeing their number three, Christian Burgess, sign a two-year contract with Middlesbrough FC, while Kishen Velani was selected for England’s under-19 cricket squad for the World Cup in Australia next month.

He added: “It was a very interesting week for us.

“On Monday, Christian signed for Middlesbrough and then Velani was selected by England for the Under-19 World Cup.

“It’s all very good news for the club.”