All square in series with Effigies

Over the weekend, Marsa took on new touring team Effigies from the United Kingdom.

On Saturday, the Effigies batted first in a 40-over match. Rob and Tom Mitchell were the openers.

Rob was first to go, being bowled out by Nowell Khosla for two runs.

Richard Kimber was next, producing a 26-run partnership with Tom Mitchell before the latter was caught for 12 runs.

Pari Vandra was next in and next out scoring three runs being swiftly stumped by Johnnie Grima as Kimber’s innings came to a halt by an absolute gem of a delivery from Dave Borg who ended with two wickets in the day.

Mitch Lawlor played a patient innings of 12 runs. A couple of quick wickets fell and the tourists were in trouble but in came Jamie Eaton and John Vaughan who put some respectability in their score.

Eaton top-scored with 23 runs and Vaughan added 16. The scoreboard was aided with 23 extras as Effigies totalled 121 runs from their allotted overs.

For Marsa, Sarfraz Ali was the main wicket-taker with three.

In reply, the local batsmen were on fire and reached their target in the 27th over. The charge was led by Ronnie Sacco who finished with 45 runs. Javed Shah added 19 and Robert Krishna 17.

The Effigies again batted first on Sunday. They improved significantly, scoring 146 from 20 overs.

Henry Mitchell made 30 runs, Tom Mitchell 35, Mike Eagle 26 and Rob Mitchell 17.

For Marsa, Tony Slater was the main wicket-taker, while Adam Caruana, Gordon Hewitt and John Rusher all took a wicket each.

In reply, Marsa only mustered 67 runs with Malcolm Crabbe hitting 35 as Jonathan Stocker, Richard Kimber and John Vaughan all took two wickets for Effigies to level the series.

Marsa play Dutch visitors Quick on Saturday and Elmdon on Sunday.