Undoubtedly, CCC has proven their worth with early successes and the introduction of formidable players that strike concern into established sides here on the island.
However, the league’s fourth outing on Sunday, Mar 15 proved commitment to providing not only formidable players, but a full strength team, is fundamental to long term hopes of a title challenge.
Starting with only nine players due to several late drop outs, glaring gaps in the CCC field would inevitably lead to boundaries being found, where normally they would not, or potential catches not being picked up, where they possibly could.
CCC’s frustration became manifest immediately, with the opening two overs from Camdon Dicks and captain Andrew McMillan going for 33 runs – 18 and 15, respectively, including six boundaries.
The following five overs saw the bleed stemmed somewhat, before another scoring outburst leading to the 10th over drinks’ break, boost Penguins to a 94-run total from openers, Simon Wetherell and Pelham Myburgh.
Athletic
The game’s second session certainly swung in CCC’s favour, with skipper McMillan leading a tremendous three-over resuscitation almost immediately after drinks.
The threat of Myburgh (39) – a former Namibia international – was first to be removed with an athletic caught and bowled by McMillan in the 11th over, before Eric Roberts claimed the wicket of Wetherell (43), caught by McMillan at mid-on in the 12th.
A second wicket (and wicket-maiden) for McMillan in the very next over ended Sunny Bowry’s explosive 10-run cameo, finding a distinct, audible edge direct, into the gloves of keeper Jacob King.
A solid spell from Ashton Dicks paid dividends in the last over before the 20-over drinks’ break, pegging the rooted back foot of Ajay Sampige for a clear-cut LBW decision and the score now on a slightly more digestable 157 for 4, for CCC.
The partnership between Craig Morgan and Jagsir Brar for most of the third session, however, would have CCC reaching for indigestion tablets, with the pair adding over 60 runs to the score in just five overs. Both Morgan (47) and Brar (48) fell agonisingly short of their half-centuries near the close of their innings, with Roberts catching Morgan of the bowling of Peter Burges and Brar falling victim to a stumping.
Gallant chase
Going into lunch, Penguins were sitting on a very challenging total of 242, while CCC knew basting the full 28 overs would essential if this mammoth total were to be achieved.
While it was a gallant chase, especially from McMillan and Ashton Dicks, the run-rate was always just out of reach throughout the game.
CCC too came painfully close to a couple of landmark scores, with McMillan needing just one more run for his century ending on 99 not out off 89 deliveries, while Dicks saw his stumps rattled by Sajal Gaur one short of his 50. Brother Camdon weighed in with the third best score of 24 before running out of overs on a score of 195.
Man-of-the-match was awarded to Andrew McMillan for his 99 not out and his bowling figures of 2 for 38 off 5. Ashton Dicks claimed second spot with his 49 and 2 for 40 off 6.
All teams now have secured a win and a loss in the Phuket Cricket League, with Penguins taking on KCC in the next encounter.