Impressive Simba bowling helps win tournament

The Kenyan Lions carried away the 20/20 MIT Sydney Cup, beating the Ryde Automotives Haryana Bulls by 5 runs in a thrilling last over finish. The boys from Kenya famously known as Ken Oz SKLPS Simba (meaning lion in Afrikaans), delighted the crowd as they got the better of the Bulls at the prestigious community tournament. The 20/20 MIT Sydney Cup, an IPL-like tournament, is now a well known community based event. The final was played in Parramatta in mid-March.

Ryde Automotives Haryana Bulls who had lost just one game in their round of games finishing at the top of the ladder, came into the finals with a lot of confidence following their 7-wicket win in the semifinal match against Hyderabad Travels. However, Ken Oz SKLPS Simba just about scraped into the knockout stage with a touch of luck. However, in the knockout stage they upset Nando’s Srilankan Lions, winning by 7 wickets. Nando’s Srilankan Lions were the winners of the Indian Link Cup.

With three ex-Kenyan internationals playing for Ken Oz SKLPS Simba, the team enjoyed high levels of self confidence and self esteem, which seemed to be their strength. Their cooperation as a team was more apparent than any other side through the entire competition.

After winning the toss, Ryde Automotives Haryana Bulls sent the SKLPS boys to bat first, bowling them out for a meagre total of 94.Vishal Patel and Jay Poria were the most successful bowlers, claiming 3 wickets each.

In reply Ryde Automotives Haryana Bulls were well in control of the proceedings with a score of 83 for 5, and they needed only 12 runs in the last 4 overs with 4 wickets in hand.

Almost everyone from SKLPS Simba camp, including the strong presence of supporters cheering them, had given up hope until the sixteenth over, when Naran (ex under 19 Kenyan International) decided to show everyone what 20/20 cricket is really about. He bowled a dream spell claiming 2 scalps in that over, allowing for only 1 run. The pressure began to mount for the Haryana batsmen.

The next over was also a maiden and soon after, the Simba boys began to smell victory over the Bulls. In the final overs, the Haryana Bulls needed 6 runs with one wicket remaining, but ultimately they failed to stellar form in the quarters and semi-finals was the only batsman who batted with unshakeable calm and composure, playing an important innings of 20 runs before being stumped by Jitesh Malandi, another exunder 19 Kenyan international player.

Naran, who not only took 3 wickets for 11 runs but also took the game away from the confident Haryana Bulls, was adjudged the Man of the Match.

Cheering supporters of the Ken Oz SKLPS Simba team mirrored their heroes’ euphoria at becomimg the champion team among the 18 teams which took part in the 4-month long tournament.

In the consolation finals, Ahmedabad Warriors defeated Ford Pro Vibarant Gujarat by 7 wickets. Mayank Verma of Ahmedabad Warriors was named Man of the Match.

The winners and runners trophies were presented to the teams by Ms. Jenny, director of the Melbourne Institute of Technology.

The formal awards ceremony and cultural evening will be held at Parramatta Town Hall on May 1, at which the teams and individual players will be facilitated for their performances and achievements.

Sanjiv Dubey

Score Card

Ken Oz SKLPS Simba Ryde Automotives Haryana Bulls

Naran bowled Deepak 09 Jay caught Arvind 13

Dharendra run out 04 Gaurav stumped Jitesh 20

Suresh caught Deepak 00 Zeeshan caught Arvind 05

Suresh R bowled Jay 18 Ritesh run out 04

Vijay caught Vishal 02 Varun bowled 10

Dilip caught Vishal 25 Sukhi caught Ashok 22

Ashok caught Vishal 03 Vicky caught Naran 00

Harish caught Varun 01 Usman caught Naran 00

Pritesh caught Jay 12 Vishal not out 00

Arvind caught Jay 03 Deepak stumped Naran 02

Jitesh not out 01 Shorab bowled Vijay 01

Bowlers: Bowlers: Jay Poria 3/19 Naran 3/11

Vishal 3/24 Arvind 3/21

Varun 2/10