Cricket: Double joy for Akerkar on birthday

By way of celebrating his 27th birthday, Indian-born Mangesh, from Mumbai, blasted 122 against Marchmont to ensure 'MUFS' continued to set an unbeaten pace in the East League Division Two.

That performance, which came in the wake of scores of 114no and 73no on preceding weekends against Freuchie 2nd and Kismet, has earned the No.3 batsman the latest "player of the month" accolade for June.

Tougher tests lie ahead with second-placed Musselburgh due to be encountered this weekend but Mangesh has confidence in his side.

"We were relegated after my first season with the club two years ago but now look well placed to go up," said Mangesh, who played inter-state cricket as a youngster.

The Scottish Widows employee, who came to Edinburgh in 2006 to undertake post-graduate studies at Heriot Watt University, added: "The team have been going well with nine straight wins and I never expected to be singled out for this award. It is the first time I have ever had anything like this and it is particularly satisfying that one of my centuries came on my birthday."

It is Mangesh's first season as captain having led the K-Sports club in his native Mumbai and runs have flowed to the extent that he is approaching 500 for the league campaign. Mentioned in dispatches by judges were Charlie Barratt (Edinburgh South) for 8-19 against Stehousemuir II as well as Alan Watson (Old Contemptibles) for his 7 for 13 and 51 v Heriots III.

Matthew Parker took four wickets as Scotland beat Kenya by six runs in their ICC World Cricket League Division One clash in Rotterdam - setting up a crunch match against Afghanistan tomorrow.

Parker played a key role as Kenya fell just short of their target, after Fraser Watts had scored a half-century in Scotland's total of 172 for eight in 50 overs. Scotland will take on Afghanistan knowing they will advance to a final against Ireland with victory.