Cheema smashes 125 for promotion-chasing Louth CC

Louth skipper Tom Law won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first in a match reduced to 16 overs-a-side.

Big-hitting batsman Imran Cheema opened with the captain and attacked the Novartis bowlers, with Cheema particularly aggressive and Law (18) hitting a big six.

Cheema continued to attack the bowlers and reached his 50 in 20 balls.

Olly joined him and kept up the rapid scoring alongside Cheema who made it to his first Louth century in 52 balls, including nine sixes and seven fours to the delight of the travelling supporters.

The visitors scored an incredible 178 in their 16 overs with Cheema carrying his bat for an unbeaten 125.

Novartis started aggressively, but the pressure of a massive chase was too much as they lost regular wickets.

Young Alex Bell claimed two scalps and Shahmeer took another two, while Law, Tom Ryder and Zubair Ahmed all chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Shahmeer ran one batsman out with a sharp throw to the keeper as Novartis finished on 82/8 from their allotted 16 overs.

Sharp catching and good fielding was also a feature of Louth’s win, especially Ryder who took two wonderful catches diving forward.

Louth will carry their promotion hopes into their final Midweek League game against Grimsby Jaguar.