The Malta Independent on Sunday
Sharks win third game and lead 2-1
The third game between the Chairman’s Panthars and the Captain’s Sharks was played and finally runs were made.
After the first two games the bowlers had the upper hand, in this game the batsmen (only a couple) turned things around.
The Sharks batted first and lost the early wicket of prime batsmen Andrew Mitchell in the first over.
Malcolm Crabbe joined Andy Naudi at the crease and together put on a match winning partnership of 130 runs. Naudi scored a brilliant 88 runs with shots to all parts of the ground which included seven fours and three sixes, of which one was 80 metres.
Crabbe fell short of his 50 by three runs being caught at mid off with the fielder (Kevin Krishna) at full stretch.
Chris Riordan made a run a ball - 19 - while Ewan Prezens made his presence felt with two big sixes in an innings of 17 runs from eight balls. The Sharks scored an empowering 193 runs.
For the Panthars, Kevin Krishna was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets, Derek Ali took two and Haroon Majeed took one.
In reply, Joy Ghoseroy showed his intent of making the runs and smashed the ball over the extra covers head and the ball was stopped just inside the boundary. He made three runs.
The cameo did not last long and after he made another run he was bowled by Jonathan Tucker.
The Panthars were in trouble having lost four wickets for 33 runs with only Haroon Majeed being the only one making it into double figures.
Ronnie Sacco joined Bikram Arora at the crease, the two determined to put up a fight, and both capable of getting their team over the line. Arora scored 23 runs before being bowled.
Derek Ali who is also very capable of hitting the ball a long way, started off well enough with a couple of boundaries and then going for his third top edged the ball and was easily caught, he had made 15 runs.
Sacco, still at the crease, was finally bamboozled with a short pitched delivery which kept low and bowled him, he had made eight runs.
The Sharks thought the game was won and with Kevin Krishna (13) joining Pragnesh Vaso (47), they put on a 73 run partnership over 14 overs. It was a delight to see, not for the bowling team. All things come to an end, when Vaso was caught at point. The Panthars ended up making 135 runs.
The Sharks lead the series two to one.
Tomorrow the series continues, the game starting at 10.30am.
The Sunoco Cricket Academy/nursery will be from 9am till 10.30am.