With the latter playing in their inaugural match and being mostly comprised of AFL/Rugby players, many would be forgiven for predicting a straight-forward victory for the long-established Penguins. However, this wouldn’t be the case as the veteran-side were forced to dig-deep and work hard for their 29-run victory.
Jagsir Brar won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that seemed justified as Simon Wetherell (11) and Anthony Van Blerk (16) cantered along before a sharp Usman Khaleeque removed the former in the 3rd over with the score 19-1.
Ajay Sampige (38) maintained the high-tempo as both he and Van Blerk added a further 31-runs before Anthony Dupont saw the back of the South African opener in the 6th over, Josh Linthorne holding onto a tough chance in the gully. In-form Pelham Myburgh (46) then stepped to the crease and the left-hander wasted little time in showing his class as he peppered the boundary with regularity before sportingly declaring his innings post drinks-break.
Further middle-order contributions by Brar (24) and Sam (29) pushed the score well beyond the 200-mark, before a late Mayur Deuskar (17*) cameo left the batting-side on a colossal 246/7 from their allotted 25-overs.
Seismic
Requiring a shade under 10-runs per-over, Cherngtalay knew they would have to put together a near-perfect chase to get anywhere close to the seismic total. The innings started disastrously however, as opener Aian Mclenan (2) lasted just four deliveries before been cleaned-up by Deuskar in the first over.
Mitchell (13) then joined Khaleeque (79*) at the crease and the pair steadied the ship with a much-needed 69-run stand before the former could only chip to Brar at mid-off in the 11th over, Lenny Leerdam claiming the scalp.
An unfortunate injury ended McMillans (6) innings after just four balls faced and brought Craig Morgan (77) to the crease. A circumspect start navigated his side to 77-3 after 12 overs as both teams headed for a much-needed drinks break.
Following the cool refreshments and now requiring a daunting 13-runs per-over, the left-handed pairing of Khaleeque and Morgan wasted little time in getting stuck-into the bowlers as the duo upped the ante with gusto, adding a staggering 121 runs (including 15 boundaries)) from the next 10 overs.
Panic
With balls flying all over the ground and genuine panic now starting to settle-in amongst his teammates, Brar entrusted his fellow countryman Sajal Gaur with finding the breakthrough. That faith was instantly repaid as some clever bowling found Morgan’s outside edge in the 22nd over and, when Deuskar gleefully snaffled the chance behind the stumps, the fielder’s were finally afforded a collective sigh of relief.
Following Morgan’s departure, the Penguins quickly regained control of the contest and conceded just 19 runs from the remaining 5 overs to put the seal on a hard-fought win.
Although on the losing side, the clear man-of-the-match was Morgan for his destructive innings of 77 from 38 deliveries, including a quartet of monstrous sixes. Khaleeque’s supporting role of 79 not-out ensured his team remained in the contest until the very end.
Myburgh’s stock continues to rise each game as the Namibian struck 46 from just 23 balls-faced, whilst Sampige’s 38 from 33 proved crucial in helping his side set an insurmountable total. Deuskar’s all-round performance was also pivotal in his teams success.
A differential of 26 extras between the teams proved key in the end and whilst Cherngtalay will no doubt be disappointed with the result, they will leave with a certain amount of optimism in the belief that with more training sessions and match practice behind them, the gap between the two sides can be closed.