TEC, AECK, NSS and KEA win on opening day of CETTA tournament
KUWAIT: The 19th Prof Ramachandran Memorial Cricket Tournament conducted by College of Engineering Alumni Association (CETTA) and sponsored by GTE Olayan Co on November 11 at cricket grounds. The first match, batting first against MACE began steadily with skipper Suresh (21) and Gireesh (13) putting on 37 runs for the opening wicket by the 6th over. After Gireesh’s Dinto (15) increased the tempo but his exit (retired hurt) put paid to TEC’s charge and they finished on 75 for the loss of 5 wickets in their 12 overs. For MACE, Roy, Jayesh, Sandeep and Manu took a wicket each to peg back TEC. In reply, MACE lost wickets at regular intervals and could score only 50 for the loss of 8 wickets leaving comfortable winners by 25 runs. Sandeep (3), Gireesh (2) man of the match), Sreekumar and Dhanesh (1 wicket each) were instrumental in dampening the hopes of a MACE win.
AECK batting 1st against NIT in the second match scored at a fast pace with useful contributions from Shamir (14) and Mahesh (13). But it was the unbroken 4th wicket partnership of82 runs between Nimish (50 no man of the match) and Remon (22 no) that took the match away from NIT. Nimish was particularly impressive with his silken drives and ability to put away the loose balls. Jacob (2) and Tharun were the wicket takers for NIT but could not stem the flow of runs. In reply NIT committed “hara-kiri” with 5 of their batsmen getting run out and AECK won overwhelmingly by 119 runs. For AECK, Munaz (2), Nimish (2) and Mahesh 1 wicket showed they are up and ready for the tougher matches ahead.
In the 3rd match, batting first TKM could not make much headway against the disciplined bowling of KEA. Ziad (12) and Anfar (23 no) fought bravely but the run rate was always below 5 per over. TKM finished at a non too impressive 56 for the loss of7 wickets in their allotted overs. For KEA, Sibin (2), Ajin (l) & Nasif (1 wicket) helped to keep TKM to a below par total. In reply, after the early fall of Tibish, Govind (17) and Ajin (15 no- man of the match) took the score to 38 by the 6th over to ensure there were no alarms and KEA won comfortably by 5 wickets with 11 balls to spare.
In the final match of the day, NSS batting first were helped by a spate of no balls from hosts CETAA. Aided by Jaymohan (11) and Shaifuddin (10), NSS reached 51 for 3 by the 11 over. But a hat-trick by Zakir in the 7th over changed the complexion and CETAA showed signs of a strong comeback. But an unbroken partnership of 40 runs between Dileep (18 no -man of the match) and Joe (16 no) took NSS to a comfortable 91 for 6 of their 12 overs.
For CETAA, Zakir (3), Arun (1), Prashant 1 wicket strove manfully but a plethora of wides proved their undoing. In reply, Daniel (16) and Arief (14) showed determination but they were always behind the asking rate. In the end, CETAA could reach only 55 for the loss of 6 wickets leaving NSS deserving winners by 36 runs. NSS put up a fine all round bowling performance with Mahesh (2), Priyan and Arjun (1 wicket each) being the wicket takers.
In the morning, CETAA Vice President Manoj Balakrishan inaugurated the tournament. Jose Kurishinkal (CETAA) welcomed the gathering while the Chief Guest Tapan Ramesh, Regional Manager, GTE Olayan Co met and spoke with the players.