Wanstead captain hails fantastic Dukes Essex T20 triumph

The Herons beat 2022 National T20 champions Hornchurch by two wickets in their semi-final, before easing past hosts Billericay by eight wickets in the final.

And Ellis-Grewal is hoping they can match the achievements of Hornchurch and qualify for the European Cricket League T10 tournament next year.

“It was fantastic to win it and it would be great to go the whole way,” he said.

“It can be harder getting out of the Essex stages and we’re looking forward to the regionals. With the side we’ve got, the depth, we’ve got all bases covered and hope it stands us in good stead.”

Wanstead held Hornchurch to 131-5, with Zain Shahzad (3-13) dismissing Jalpesh Vijay and dangerman George Hankins with successive balls.

And Essex youngster Robin Das (55) led the way in reply, before Ellis-Grewal saw his side home with five balls to spare.

“Zain has bowled brilliantly all year and George was a big wicket to get. It nipped back, hit his glove and then the stumps.

“We bowled well in the middle overs and at the death. Zain, Yuvraj [Odedra] and Kish [Velani] bowled brilliant spells, I think there was only one four in the last three or four overs.

“We were pleased with 131, there was a lot in it for the seamers, but it didn’t spin much.

“I had a feeling it would be close, there’s always more pressure chasing, and it was ours to lose.

“One of the great things at Wanstead is we bat all the way down, we’re lucky to have that depth.

“We knew they’d front-loaded their bowling to get wickets and it was a brilliant game of cricket.

“It was close but I think we dominated for large periods and deserved to win. They went all the way last year and it was brilliant to get over the line.”

Shahzad (2-28) and Odedra (2-30) nabbed braces as Billericay made 145-5 in the final, led by Raynard van Tonder’s 61.

And Odedra (71 not out) and Tom Simmons (54) shared a 120-run stand to set up victory with 13 balls to spare, with Ellis-Grewal adding: “Billericay batted well in the final, their overseas played a good innings, but we didn’t do too much wrong.

“We thought it was a fair score, but with our firepower and not the same depth of bowling, we were more confident.

“Yuvraj set the tone and batted brilliantly, so did Simmo. It was a different track for the final and a bigger field but we adapted well. The guys hit gaps, pushed for twos and they were great knocks.”

Wanstead lost at Hamro Foundation Essex League Premier Division basement boys Chingford with only a few balls remaining on Saturday, dismissed for 184 in reply to the home side’s 250-3.

And they host Hornchurch at Overton Drive this weekend, before Brentwood visit in the ECB National Cup on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a tough ask for us to win the league but we will try and finish near the top and influence the title,” said Ellis-Grewal.

“A few teams will be chasing Hornchurch, happy if we get a result against them, and we’d like to keep the momentum going into Sunday.

“If we can sneak past Brentwood, it’s the same as the T20, we’ll be playing clubs who don’t know us as well. It’s another big weekend.”