Southgate’s 2 XI 2026 league season got underway at home to London Tigers on a warm Saturday, with Faruqi winning the toss and deciding Southgate would have a bat.
Mustapha Mirza came out flying with a rapid 27, while debutant Beaven Fernando looked solid before getting out just as he was settling in.
The early platform allowed Liam Collett to do what Liam Collett does best.
For someone only in his early twenties, Liam batted with the maturity and composure of someone who has been playing top level cricket for a very long time. It was just quality to watch. He scored all around the wicket, never looked rushed and was always in control of his game.
The young Australian produced a superb 130 from 133 balls with 15 fours and 2 sixes, pacing the innings brilliantly before accelerating once he reached his hundred.
There was a slight middle order wobble with Woffers caught and bowled off a full toss, Akhil bowled around his legs and Alex Stanton stumped just before drinks. Standard first game stuff.
Thankfully Ollie Bellwood (28) and Sam Faruqi (27) helped steady things, before Adam Collins (16) backed up his pre match claim of “I can have a smash if required” by smashing 2 bombs in quick succession including one going over the clubhouse.
Josh Holmes then finished things off with a quick unbeaten 11 from 4 balls, while our own Ravi Gavaskar, in his Southgate floppy hat, walked back reminding us all that he had once again managed to come back not out, as Southgate posted an imposing 312.
The bowling was equally impressive. The wickets were shared around nicely with Josh Holmes picking up a couple of wickets, Ravi Desai and Adam Collins picking up three wickets each, while Woffers bowled a miserly spell of 9 overs, 2 maidens, 15 runs and a wicket. When asked after his sixth over how the rhythm was feeling, Woffers could barely get the words “yeah I’m fine to bowl through” out between breaths.
London Tigers were eventually bowled out for 107, rounding off an excellent opening day win for Southgate.
A brilliant start to the season. Batting and bowling excellent.
Fielding… room for improvement.
Alexandra Palace away next week.