Scorecard

Optimists Cricket Club 1st XI Optimists v Antwerp Indians CC on Sun 21 Jun 2009 at 13:30
Optimists Cricket Club Lost 24 runs

Match report
On the eve of the Grand Duke’s Birthday Celebrations, the Optimists were hoping to start the party early by turning around their season with a victory over Antwerp Indians. With scattered showers expected at several points throughout the day, the Optimists went out to field with the aim of restricting their opponents to a low total. The opening exchanges included some good bowling from openers Wykes and Gandhi. Some quick scoring and agricultural stroke-play meant that by the time play was halted for the first time for rain, Antwerp had made fifty for the loss of two wickets. Good wickets from Merkl and Neale helped the home team strike regularly but, a nice and lusty fifty for the Indians’ young batsman meant their score continued to mount. Another rain break and some big-hitting towards the end of the innings meant that AICC posted 219 off of a reduced 39 overs.

An enjoyable tea was all about one contest. The World Twento20 Final may have been taking place at the same time but Walferdange hosted a battle between Phil Burleigh’s Caribbean Rice and Romesh Paul’s Sri Lankan Rice. Enjoyed by all and ending in a deserving tie.

Following this, it was time for the Optimists to attempt to chase down a difficult target. Andrews and Burleigh rekindled their opening partnership, from the past couple of seasons but, to little avail. Some good line and length bowling from the visitors’ opening bowlers accounted for the pair of them. Wickets continued to fall until Gandhi and Desai put on a good partnership, with the latter making a very enjoyable half century. Although the Optimists continued to show good skill and determination with the bat, the game was slipping away from them and it was left to the final wicket partnership, of Wykes and Fitzgerald, to see OCC through to 175 for an extra batting point.

Tim Andrews



Antwerp Indians CC Batting
219 for 9
Player name Runs
Nirvam Shah Caught  Andrews Bld Merkl 18
Chiraj Kothari Caught  Andrews Bld Gandhi 23
Hiren Parikh Caught  Burleigh Bld Wykes 0
Harsh Jogani Bowled  Neale 55
Sonik Jhaveri Caught  Gandhi Bld Neale 49
Nirav Gandhi Bowled  Neale 19
Shaival Mehta Caught  Fitzgerald Bld Gandhi 10
Akshat Sanghvi Not Out  18
Aadil Driver Run out  7
Virat Jogani Bowled  Gandhi 0
Chiraj Motani  

Optimists Cricket Club 1st XI Optimists Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Adrian Wykes8.0139139.004.88
Nishith Gandhi8.0051317.006.38
Richard Neale8.0138312.674.75
Taral Desai7.013300.004.71
Piran Merkl6.0040140.006.67
Mark Fitzgerald2.001700.008.50

Optimists Cricket Club 1st XI Optimists Batting
175 for 9
Player Name RunsCatchesStumpingsRun outs
Tim Andrews Caught  12 2
Phillip Burleigh Lbw  4 1
Romesh Paul Caught  5
Joost Mees Lbw  13
Taral Desai Caught  55
Richard Neale Caught  2
Nishith Gandhi Caught  18 1
Piran Merkl Bowled  14
Graham Cope Bowled  11
Adrian Wykes Not Out  11
Mark Fitzgerald Not Out  11 1

Antwerp Indians CC Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
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  • Umpire :
  • Scorer :
    Michael Swithinbank