Laguna secures cricket victory over the Village

PHUKET: As Songkran approaches, the temperature rises in the Phuket Cricket Group’s (PCG) senior league. On March 8, Laguna beat the Village at the Alan Cooke Ground (ACG).

Laguna, who were coming off the back of a good win against Thalang in their previous match, were looking to consolidate their position in the race for the minor premiership. Meanwhile, the Village were looking to regain the form that saw them upset Patong with a win last month.

However, Laguna comfortably secured a victory, scoring an impressive 257-5 from 41 overs including a maiden century from Arif Mushtaq, while the Village were all out for 132 in 36 overs.

After winning the toss, the Village decided to bat on a very sandy pitch surface, the residue being from the previous day’s international Australian rules football (AFL) match between Thailand and Malaysia.

After a slow start, Laguna struck in the 7th over removing opener Mike Khan (2). Just before the 10-over drinks break, Laguna captured the wicket of Syed Hussain (11) and the Village headed back to the clubhouse at 28-2. After the break, Laguna removed Adam Drew (1) and Tony Donavon (1) cheaply.

Meanwhile, opener Martin Platts (34) showed dogged determination until he was eventually dismissed in 19th over with the Village reeling on 64-5. Captain Mudasir Rehman (1), fell immediately after the 20-over drinks break, being clean bowled trying to smash a ball to the mid-wicket boundary.

Baseer Pir (48 not out) and Mark Whetton (15) then steadied the innings putting on a 37-run partnership until Whetton fell 29th over. Andy Ghadge (2) then played another great supporting role with Baseer until he was eventually run out in the 36th over and the Village innings came to an end with score on 132. Pick of the bowlers for Laguna were Manish Sadarangani (3 for 30), Nadeem Youssef (2 for 11) and Roly Cooper (2 for 24).

Laguna got off to a steady start with openers Darren Shaw (24) and Roly Cooper (8) putting on a 32-run partnership before Cooper fell in the 9th over. Shaw and Arif Mushtaq (101 not out) then put on a 47-run partnership before Shaw fell in the 18th over with the score on 79-2.

Nadeem Youssef (34) then put on 76 run partnership with Mushtaq to secure the first inning’s points until Youssef was dismissed just before the 30-over drinks break with the score on 164-4.

Laguna batted on to secure extra bonus points with Mushtaq combining with Damian Clowes (17) for a 47-run partnership, and later with Manish Sadarangani (10) for a further 31 runs with Laguna eventually finishing on 257-5.

Pick of the bowlers for the Village were Andy Ghadge (2 for 13) and Baseer Pir (1 for 28).

On March 15, ICC are matched up against the Village in what is expected to be another cracker of a match.