Fighting Penang goes down to KL

Day 1 Penang Vs KL Match Summary (18th April 2015)

It was a big day for the boys as it was the semi-finals against KL at the Kinrara Oval. Penang loss the toss and was put into bat, which was what skipper, Darvin intended to do if he had won the toss. 

Penang openers, Harinder Singh and Harventheran Kumar walked in looking to torment the bowlers on a nice flat track. Unfortunately, Harinder was bowled of the 3rd ball of the 1st over by an inswinger. Keithan then came in at number 3 and had a small partnership with Harven before he was out caught making a positive 20. Darvin in at number 4 played positively against the spinners but didn’t last long either before he was out caught in the covers. 19 year old Harven was still at the crease and played a couple of elegant strokes before he was dismissed for a useful 23.

Vinay Flying Singh got off to a decent start, but an ugly mix up between him and Kavin resulted in a run-out. Wickets then kept falling at regular intervals for Penang and what was of our most concern is that most batsmen got off to a good start but fail to covert those starts to bigger scores.Penang was eventually bundled out for 129 runs.

The game was still far from over with the Penang boys taking the field and looking to strangle KL for anything below 129. Kavin and Baz opened the bowling and bowled with a lot discipline resulting in Kavin plucking the 1st wicket. KL batsmen were playing very safe trying to see off the bowlers till the end of days play. Darvin kept rotating the bowlers and has his field checked in an attacking mode. Vinay Flying Singh came to the rescue and snapped up 2 wickets in his first over, including the big wicket of Suhan. KL were immediately pushed back and sent in a nightwatchmen to see off the day. Just before the end of the days play, Keithan was introduced with his handy off breaks and bagged 2 wickets to leave KL at 140-5 at the end of day 1. Credit has to be given to KL’s opening bat, Virandeep who parried the team’s score and was unbeaten on 55 on day 1.

Day 2 Penang Vs KL Match Summary (19th April 2015)

Knowing KL has surpassed our team’s score, mastermind Darvin came up with a game plan of trying to bundle out KL as fast as possible, put up a defendable score in quick time and then try to snap up another 10 wickets to seal the deal. As there was no other route, the Penang boys took the field with a positive intent of accomplishing the game plan. Virandeep was batting alongside the KL skipper, Neville and was very lucky to have survived a few drop catches early on. Penang looked a little sloppy at the beginning with a few missed chances and a brainless over-throw by Thevan Mangga Raj. Vinay Flying Singh came to the rescue again snaring Neville and in no time bagging Rosman to finish off with 4 wickets. KL was dismissed for 262 in 74 overs with opening bat, Virandeep remaining unbeaten with a sensible century to his name.

Penang is now looking to pile up quick runs in no time and decided to promote Pavithren up the order in an attempt to see some fireworks. Unfortunately, Pavithren continued his sublime form over the weekend with another duck to his name. Opening bat, Harven was a joy to watch with his elegant drives and flicks as he and superstar, Keithan put up a decent partnership for the 2nd wicket. They both played with positive intent looking to attack the KL bowlers resulting in a wide-spread field placement. 

The Penang dugout was anxious and excited as Harven was nearing his maiden fifty, but unfortunately he was dismissed for an excellent 48. Keithan and Darvin had another massive partnership as the two went past their fifties, scoring 63 and 60 respectively. Penang eventually piled up 209-5 in 40 odd overs when Darvin decided to declare upon his dismissal. 

Settling a tricky target score of 77, KL were sent in to bat with slightly about more than an hour of play left for the day. Kavin once again started the proceedings and bagged the 1st wicket as the batsman chipped the ball back on to his stumps. Vinay then trapped their number 3 batsmen in front and has KL reeling with 2 wickets down in no time. KL then shifted gears and were looking very defensive, trying to play for the draw. Bad light interrupted the last half hour of the last session and the umpires decided to call it off with the captain's approval.

It was the end of the road for the Penang boys as KL were through to the finals due to the 1st innings lead. Nevertheless, Penang had a lot of positives to take from this tournament and as Penang’s trademark is always fielding a young side with homegrown talent, this could be a learning curve for the boys. The boys are still fired up as the MPL kicks off end of next month.

Stay tuned.

By,
Pavithran.N

(Pictures credit goes to the Malaysian Cricket Association)

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Young side emerged as Runners-Up in Finals

PCA 35 Overs League Finals Summary

(5th April 2015)

I have been honored the privilege of another year of addressing a very important area of cricket in Penang, the 35 OVERS PREMIER LEAGUE COMPETITION organized by the PENANG CRICKET ASSOCIATION (PCA). On an annual basis, this particular tournament is to form a major factor in encouraging playing numbers and giving opportunity to cricketers to excel in their sporting field. In addition to that, for every year this event has been held out, the atmosphere has always taken up a notch higher. It is great to see people from all ages to come together and play this magnificent game. It is also great to see that all participants reiterate preparations for this event to be treated with utmost importance and urgency so as to ensure that it is not taken for granted and never without a fight. This inauguration event was organized from November 9th 2014 to April 5th 2015.

The matches were played between 4 teams, namely:

1) TENTERA LAUT DIRAJA MALAYSIA (NAVY)

2) PENANG SPORTS CLUB (PSC)

3) AUSTRALIAN DEFENSE FORCE (ADF)

4) PENANG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT TEAM (PSDT)

Having defended champions, NAVY clenches it away once again with a clean sweep of five wins from six matches. NAVY as always came up with their ever tight fielding and a pretty solid batting lineup. And next up having PSDT as defending runners-up having a go with a silver medal once again. Never for once forgetting a team that played off with only youngsters from the age of 14 and so. PSDT heavier on their bowling managed to pull it off with the advantage they had. Besides that, PSDT boys also had a solid batting side having one of the most promising batsmen with consistent performances coming from here. These boys are ever energetic and ever burning spirits infield as well as the outfield. Lastly, having PSC consists of ex state players finishing off third in the table and ADF, the white men on fourth.

By,

Durgesh T.

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