Ashford go 1-0 up in series at Marsa

On Sunday, Marsa played against touring side Ashford. The English team are here on their second visit to the islands. On their last tour, Marsa had won the series 2-0.

Marsa, who opted to bowl first, had Jeya Krishna striking in his first over, bowling opening batsman Chris Evans. His opening partner, R. Ford, was soon to follow being well caught by Sunny Krishna for 11 runs.

W. Sabestian was soon back in the pavilion after being caught for six runs. Then, a match-winning partnership of 99 runs came from Paul Frost (eventually out for 63 runs) and Gareth Evans (72). Only Shaun Cousins (13 runs) and Chris White (11) were able to make it into double figures.

Cousins had to retire hurt after pulling a leg muscle.

Aided with 20 extra runs, the tourists totalled 206 runs.

Chris Naudi was the main wicket-taker for Marsa, taking three wickets. Jeya Krishna and Sunny Krishna also chipped in with two wickets each.

Marsa's reply started on a bad note as K. Lambert took the wickets of Tim Wheeler, Joy Ghoseroy and Mark G. Sacco for eight and four runs and a duck respectively.

J. Knill, the opening bowler, also claimed the wickets of J. Shah (duck) and Sam Dhandapani (four runs).

Ray of hope

This good bowling left Marsa struggling at five wickets down for 32 runs.

A ray of hope came with the 60-run partnership of Chris Naudi (33) and Ronnie Sacco (49). Once Naudi was out, Sacco could not find a partner to stay at the crease and Marsa were bowled out for 143 runs.

Sabestian took two wickets for Ashford who won the first of a four-game series. The next games are today, Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, the nursery will be open between 9.30 and 11.30 a.m. The fourth game from the Victor Miller Memorial Trophy will be played at noon.