Phuket Sports: TNT reignite their cricket campaign

PHUKET: After a thrilling win against Patong last week, Jabudays (ICC) were looking to continue their good run of form and move to the top of Phuket’s cricket league table by beating a TNT side that has not lived up to expectations this season.

At the Alan Cooke Ground (click here for map), on Sunday March 10, TNT cruised to an easy victory after bowling Jabudays out for 156 runs and then reaching their target of 157 in the 24th over for the loss of only three wickets. TNT moved up to joint 3rd in the JLL Hotels League after match 13.

After winning the toss, Jabudays chose to bat, hoping to set a big target and possibly pick up some valuable bonus points. However, they were soon questioning their decision as the in-form Deepak Mehra was dismissed for a golden duck.

The nightmare didn’t end there as Imtiyaz Mushtaq was also bowled for a duck in the same over and then Barry Buck bowled Shah Nawez.

Jabudays were struggling until captain Anand Chand (17) and Naeem Ul Haq (46) managed a 61 run partnership. Jabudays went into the clubhouse at the 10 over drinks break three wickets down for 81 runs.

On the very first ball after the break, Neil Culpan trapped Chand in front lbw and then followed this up in the next over dismissing Ul Haq in the same manner. Ali Khan (12) failed to make an impression, as did the normally reliable Surender Kumar (2).

However, Ravi Naik (19) and Balesh Dessai (26) showed some resistance for Jabudays with a 43 run partnership, until Naik exited in the 26th over. Dessai then fell shortly afterwards and the players adjourned to the clubhouse in the 28th over with Jabudays being bowled out for only 156 runs.

Pick of the bowlers for TNT were Neil Culpan (3 for 20), Barry Buck (3 for 45) and Carl Baxter (2 for 7).

Despite dismissing Jabudays for a low score, TNT needed to get off to a solid start and not lose any early wickets. Openers Andrew McMillan (66 not out) and Neil Culpan did just what the captain ordered, returning to the clubhouse undefeated with 50 runs on the board at the 10 over drinks break.

After a fine opening stand of 122, Culpan was eventually dismissed in the 19th over.

TNT were looking to sail to victory and perhaps even secure a bonus point. Simon Wetherall (12) then joined McMillan but fell in the 22nd over. Jabudays quickly struck again as Roshan Jayasuriya (1) was run out only 2 balls later with the score on 144. However, it was too little too late for the Jabuday’s side, and McMillan brought TNT home to victory in the 24th over.

Pick of the bowlers for Jabudays was Paresh Borkar (1 for 34).

This weekend’s play at the ACG sees Patong Cricket Club take on basement team The Village. First ball is expected to be delivered at 9am Sunday.