Team AIS United on Sunday, March 14, beat Deccan Acers by 46 runs to lift the Relianz Forex Spirit of Cricket Tournament and conclude the 23rd season of the cricket cup hosted by Migrant Community Cricket Club (MCCC).
“Finally, after gruelling three months and repeated lockdowns like last year, it was a sense of deja vu, but we managed to complete the Relianz Forex Spirit of Cricket tournament finals on Sunday, March 14,” Prashant Belwalkar, chairperson of MCCC said.
“A clinical performance by AIS United against a depleted Acers, who had a couple of important personnel missing, but that hardly mattered as AIS were always in full control of the game,” he added.
Team AIS United posted 111 runs, and the chase for Acers faltered as they kept losing wickets under a tight attack and finally succumbed 46 runs short as they were bundled out for 65 runs.
Telangana Boyz made light work of the 3rd position match when they blasted Mighty Blues for a formidable 120 and forced Mighty Blues on the backfoot, who managed with a meek response of 56 all out in 14 overs.
One of the oldest running community cricket tournaments in Auckland was started in 1998 and has only grown in numbers over the last two decades.
MCCC Spirit of Cricket Tournament has been a go-to place for the summer season when Sunday mornings are earmarked for cricket.
What started as a fun get together years ago has evolved into a serious tournament and a nurturing ground for future cricketers.
Last year the knockout rounds were impacted due to Covid-19, and the 11-team tournament was prematurely wound up.
Like every season, individual players are awarded for their performances who, through their contribution, change the landscape of the matches and help their team score a win.
In the 23rd season, Abhimanyu Garud from AIS United was awarded as the best fielder for 22 outs in 7 matches that included 15 catches and WK catches, five indirect runouts and two stumpings.
Chayan Khulbe of AIS United was given the Best Bowler of the Tournament title for taking 19 wickets in eight matches, giving 93 total runs 27.1 overs, with an economy of 3.42. He also had two four-wicket hauls in the tournament.
Goutham R of Mighty Blues was awarded the Best Batsman of the Tournament award for scoring a total of 105 runs in eight matches, having a Strike Rate of 61.05, and 47 as his highest score.
Chayan Khulbe was awarded as ‘Player of the Tournament’ for scoring a total of 1217 points that includes points garnered in good batting, bowling, fielding, Man of the Match titles and overall performance. He was followed by Sadam Sadam of NZ Telugu Tigers with 1188 points.
In the 23rd season, a total of 4026 runs were scored off 7177 balls (1196 overs), 539 wickets taken, 313 fours and 36 sixers hit, one half-century, 171 ducks, 334 catches, 66 runouts, 53 no-balls, 692 wides, 111 maidens, 9 five-wicket and 15 four-wicket hauls, with 165 players played over five months.
“I would like to thank Auckland Council and Auckland cricket for their support in this tournament, commitment towards promoting community Cricket in Auckland.
“Also, Mr Giri of Relianz Forex, the title sponsor of this tournament, for his unwavering support to the cause of community cricket,” Mr Belwalkar said.
The 24th season of the Spirit of Cricket Tournament will be planned with the community players and will be scheduled from November of 2021 to March 2022.
ISSUE
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