Day 1: Friday’s Game (25:25 Match)
After winning the toss, the Patong Penguins looked to capitalise on the favourable bowling conditions. Their quick bowlers, Sajal Gaur and Jaqsir Brar, ripped through the top order, who were struggling to adjust to the local wicket. A further flurry of wickets meant that ANZA was in danger of being sent back to their hotel early, sitting at 63/5 in the 13th over.
Luckily, the middle order wasn’t ready to give up and decided a fightback was due. Kane Stavens and Akash Dogra combined for a crucial 31-run stand, pushing the score over 100. Abhilash Bhagat and Ian Sinclair added a few handy runs, and ANZA Champs finished with a respectable total of 123 runs.
Restored hope
Requiring 124 runs to win, the home side felt confident, knowing the opportune conditions of the wicket. However, after an extended rain break, any hopes of a quick and easy victory were swiftly quashed. The Penguins found themselves wobbling at 2 wickets for 9 runs inside the first 3 overs, thanks to ANZA bowlers Abhishek Ravish and Ian Sinclair.
Wickets continued to tumble, with Dheer Bhatnagar taking a couple of scalps, supported well by Chris Werfel at the opposite end. The Penguins were quickly reduced to 6 wickets for 60 runs with only 10 overs remaining. The target now seemed very imposing, but the Penguins’ lower order of Michael Flowers and Brock began rebuilding, pushing quick singles and punishing any loose deliveries. They restored hope for the locals, with a 47-run partnership that swung the game back in the Penguins’ favour.
It all came down to the penultimate over, and with only two balls to spare, the Penguins waddled across the line. ANZA came up painstakingly short in an absolute thriller.
Day 2: Saturday Cup Game (30:30 Match)
The two teams met again for the crucial 30-over championship game for the coveted Cup, which had not graced Singapore’s shores for close to a decade.
The Penguins sent the visitors to field under the warm sun. It seemed like a cunning move, but ANZA didn’t fall for it. Abhishek Ravish, fresh off a good game the day before, stepped up another level, partnering with Dheer Bhatnagar and Kane Stavens to unleash some excellent early bowling. The Penguins’ top order, featuring the stars from the previous day, collapsed. The Penguins were reduced to 4 wickets for 24 runs after a disastrous power play.
Desperate for runs, the Penguins had the good fortune of Adrian Lie stepping up to bat at #5. As wickets tumbled around him, Adrian calmly batted his way through the innings, finishing 75 in a masterful display on a tricky wicket. He even managed a final stand with the #11 batsman, Ajay Sampige, with whom he shared a 33-run partnership. The final score: 139 all out, a very defendable total.
Find some magic
ANZA’s openers, Reddi Kotha and Graeme Gardiner, were determined to start well after their disappointment the day before. They scored freely throughout the power play, racing to 44 runs without loss after 8 overs. Both batsmen departed by the 12th over, and ANZA seemed in a strong position. Haroon Mufti started scoring well, but eventually, the bowling took its toll. A mini-collapse followed, and by the 15-over break, 5 wickets had fallen, leaving the game finely poised.
After the break, it came down to wicketkeeper Tariq Janodien and bowler Dheer Bhatnagar to steady the ship. A brief cameo from Kane Stavens rescued the visitors. Tariq made a patient 18 runs from 32 balls, Dheer contributed 15 runs, and Kane scored 23 at a run a ball.
The Penguins threw everything at the champs in the closing overs, utilising 8 bowlers to try and find some magic, but couldn’t stop the flow of runs. ANZA Champs comfortably surpassed the total, with wickets and overs in hand. The Cup finally came home.
All in all, it was two great games, awesome hospitality, and some fantastic prizes from the Penguins. This tour summed up what cricket and friendship are all about.
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NETs stuff to know
NETs kick off each Wednesday at The Cage Sports Park, Dempsey, from 7pm. We assemble 5 – 10 people through our WhatsApp chat to roll the arm over. It’s not a problem if you don’t want to play games, don’t have equipment, and/or just want to do NETs. They are social NETs for all abilities. Discover more about ANZA Cricket here
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