All square in 2011 opening match

The first cricket game of the year was played on Saturday between Malta Selection and Combined Team, the third in the series.

Combined Team won the toss and elected to bat first. Tim Wheeler and Andy Lenard were their openers.

Wheeler was first to go, trapped lbw for two runs after an impressive two overs from Nowell Khosla. Lenard, however, went on to top-score for his side with 46 runs, including three 4s and a 6.

Derek Ali was next best for Combined Team with 45 runs as Bikram Arora (15) and Phil Gibbs (12) also made it into double figures.

An incredible spell of bowling from spinners Ronnie Sacco and Joy Ghoseroy, who bowled 16 overs between them, took three wickets and only 49 runs were taken off them.

Mike Caruana chipped in with two wickets for Malta Selection while Kevin Krishna took one.

Combined Team totalled 180 runs in all.

In reply, the selection started very poorly, losing three quick wickets, all on zero runs.

Khosla, who opened the batting, was the side’s best scorer with 56 runs. Frank Spiteri put in a patient 28, which included three 4s, before he was caught on the boundary trying to hit a six.

John Grima had 18 runs as the game came to the last over with Mike Caruana (35) and Ronnie Sacco (18) at the crease and the team needing 12 runs to win.

Come the last ball and three runs were needed for victory. Sacco hit the ball over the bowler’s head and the batsmen only managed two runs. So, the game ended in a tie – 180 runs each.

Arora was the main wicket-taker with two.

Next Saturday sees the first game of the third round of the MCA Winter League between Melita Betfair and Krishna.