Kiwis prevail; Patels add spice to England
dubai — New Zealand’s 21 and Under side got the better of India on Wednesday in one of several practice games at the Insportz cricket facility in Dubai, where preparations are underway for the Indoor Cricket World Cup that opens this weekend.
The India men scored 64 in their 16 overs, which ended up being an easy target for the opposition, New Zealand getting 80 in their 16 overs. Both sides shared two skins each. Cooper Rowell was named man of the match, he scored 12 runs and took two wickets. India coach Taher Ali Khan remained positive and said his team was taking things one game at a time. “We just wanted to enjoy the game, we are not playing against any names or Australia or New Zealand, we are just playing against indoor cricket players, if we start thinking we are playing against nine time champions Australia, we won’t get anywhere.
“To be honest wherever we go out to play, we have played in Sri Lanka and Dubai, the moment the name India comes, we are under pressure, but the one thing that helps us release the pressure is the crowd that comes out to support us.
“All the teams that have come here want to lift the cup, we are
I started playing when I was 13 and this is my fifth World Cup. every year the game has become better and better Niki Patel
taking it one game at a time and give it our best shot, we are here to enjoy the game, but at the end of the day we also want to win.”
The England contingent is led by a unique family, where a pair of siblings leads the men’s and women’s team, the mother is coach of the 21 and under team, while the father is the team doctor. This is the family of Patels.
Niki Patel is playing in her fifth Indoor World Cup and she says her side is the best prepared they have ever been before a World Cup. “We have been training long and hard, and we do rate our chances. This is the best England team we have brought over and this is going to be a very good competition. Her brother Anish Patel is captain of the men’s side. He says it was watching his sister play that inspired him to join in as well. Coach Neeta Patel admits it was her daughter who led the way in indoor cricket.