Captain’s team misfire in reply in friendly series

The friendly series between the Chairman’s and Captain’s teams continued last weekend at Marsa.

Malcolm Crabbe and Joy Ghoseroy opened the batting for the Chairman’s team. The latter was soon departing following some good bowling from Robert Krishna who then struck again in his first over.

Crabbe was out in the fourth over, scoring 11 runs and the Chairman’s team were in trouble having lost three wickets for a mere 25 runs.

At the crease next were Ronnie Sacco and Andy Naudi. They steadied the ship as Sacco made 49 runs, including two 6s and four 4s, and Naudi left having scored 23 runs.

Justin Brooke was the only other batsman with more than ten runs.

He made 13 as the Chairman’s team were bowled out for 133.

Apart from Krishna, Sarfraz Ali also took two wickets.

Interesting to note that there were four run-outs, two involved wicket-keeper John Grima and one brilliantly executed by Robert Krishna with a direct hit.

In reply, the Captain’s team had an auspicious start and only lost their first wicket, that of Khosla (13 runs), when the score was 26 runs.

Javed Shah was in and out soon after with five runs to his name.

Derek Ali then joined Grima at the crease and the innings increased. The latter retired on 30 runs but then trouble struck for the batting team.

Daniel Gatt was stumped off his first ball, Mike Grima only managed six runs before being caught and three other batsmen made ducks. Derek Ali remained unbeaten on 34 while Gordon Hewitt was on one run not out when the innings closed.

The Captain’s team only made 99 runs. Mike Caruana and Ronnie Sacco both took two wickets each. The Chairman’s team are now 2-1 up in the series.

Meanwhile, the national squad for next month’s European Second Division Championships in Belgium has been named.

The selection includes Samuel Aquilina, Justin Brooke, Mike Caruana, Malcolm Crabbe, Joy Ghoseroy, Darren Grech, John Grima, Nowell Khosla, Kevin Krishna, Andy Lenard, Andy Naudi, Mark G. Sacco, Ronnie Sacco and Tony Slater.