Billu’s 30/30 Parramatta Spring Cup

Community cricket series continues to allow talent to shine through

BY SANJIV DUBEY

The New Australian Sports Association is soon becoming a premier sports provider in Sydney’s Indian community, engaging the people in sports and contributing towards a healthy lifestyle. With the help of supporters such as Parramatta Park, Indian Link, Billu’s and Sharma’s Kitchen, it has been organising a series of community cricket tournaments where games are played professionally and the focus is on fun, fairness and competition.

In its second year of competition, series have been ongoing in the 20/20, 30/30 and other formats of the game.

The competition this year has moved a few notches up from last year. It has attracted many young and talented cricketers from the subcontinent who play at high levels for different clubs around Sydney. They have joined local community cricket teams in their quest to win the prestigious Billu’s Parramatta Spring Cup currently being played in Parramatta. To name a few, Kausikan Beatle is playing for Vibarant Gujarat and Wendel Dilpechetra is playing for Footwork Sports Academy - they play first grade for Blacktown and Fairfield Liverpool respectively.

The tournament favourites Punjab Lions who have a long history of being one of the best teams in community cricket, have already made the semis. Sydney Supersonic, another club which is being hailed as the one of the strongest teams within the comp, has also reached the semifinals.

The Tournament is now wide open and there are four other teams who will be fighting hard to grab the last 2 spots available for the semi-final stage in the following weeks. The teams Vibrant Gujarat, Afghan Lions, Ahmedabad

Warriors and Amin Events XI have equal chance to make it in the semis.

Team of the Week: Afghan Lions

Made up of boys originally from Afghanistan, now living in the Sydney metropolitan area, the Afghan Lions have been playing together for over 3 years. The team also includes many young and talented players from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for the game. Matin

Azzimi is the captain of the team and Ali Hesari is the Manager. They all believe in contributing and being a part of the true Australian community which loves cricket and moving forward in life.

The team: Qai-shmal, Majeed Azzimi, Najeeb Azzimi, Ashiq, Eaimor Hesary, Mirwais Sarsha, Gharasa, Sharon, Puri, Ainsley

Player of the week: Navdeep Singh

Navdeep Singh, playing for Ahmedabad

Warriors in the ongoing Billu’s Parramatta Sping Cup, has become the highest individual run scorer of the tournament as he smashed 156 runs (which included 12 sixes) against Vibrant Gujarat. His innings has definitely given Ahmedabad Warriors a glimmer of hope to make it to the semis. Young opening batsman Navdeep, who hails from Ambala city in Punjab, was also a hero with the bat during last years 30/30

GCA Macquarie Cup where he played for cup winner Mantra Ryde’s Chandigrah team. Well done Navdeep; we hope to see many more such innings from you.

• Round 4 results

Ahmedabad Warriors (181/8) defeated Sydney Tasers 133/8

Man of the match Snehal 64 runs, 1 wicket

Sydney Supersonic (128/6) defeated Footwork Sports Academy (126/7)