Jasem Rafique a century & takes 11 wickets in one match

Sutherland District Cricket Club | September 10, 2024

In 2002-03, Jasem Rafique achieved the best all-round match performance in the Club’s history in a late season match in 5th Grade. This is what captain David Givney wrote in the annual report:

Highlight of the Year – A Section Devoted to a Single Astonishing Game

Jasem Rafique’s all-round efforts vs Balmain in Round 14 deserve a closer look.

In short, Jazz scored 121 with the bat and took 3-15 and 8-17 with the ball. It is worth noting –

·       His 121 was his first century, following scores of 70 and 96 in the previous two games. It included 20 fours and a five and took him past 500 runs in his first season of grade cricket.

·       He was only given a bowl because the usual fourth seamer (Scott Pickering) had a sore back. His match analysis of 18-4-32-11 is the 3rd best in Fifth Grade and the 14th best in the Club’s history.

·       His 2nd innings 8-17 is the Club record in all grades vs Balmain, the 4th best innings figures in Fifth Grade and the 14th best in the Club’s history.

·       It is the only time a Sutherland player has ever scored a ton and taken 10 wickets in the same match.

 

After digesting all this, I must say that there is no more deserving player going around than Jazz for this success to befall. As I noted previously, he is a constant trainer, enjoys his cricket wholeheartedly and is a very popular team man. The sheer joy his performances gave to his father Tahir (who is too nervous to score when Jazz is batting) and mother Jasmine was definitely one of my season’s highlights!

Scorecard: