Last weekend, the Marsa Cricket Club welcomed the Woodlands team who were here on their first visit to the islands. They were the 25th foreign side to play at the oval this year.
Woodlands were greeted by indifferent weather but still managed three games in as many days.
They met Pontefract College in T20 on Thursday and were victorious in a very close encounter.
On Friday, Marsa batted first against Woodlands and reached an impressive target of 150 from their allotted 20 overs.
Niraj Khanna’s innings of 56 from 31 balls proved to be the difference between the two teams. He was well supported by Bikram Arora (28) and John Grima (22).
For Woodlands, Chris Hickey and Paul Joanidis shared the bowling honours with two wickets apiece.
In reply, the visitors found it difficult to maintain the required run-rate and finished their 20 overs on 84 runs for seven wickets – a comprehensive victory for Marsa by 66 runs.
Ed Manning captured two wickets in a sound Marsa bowling performance.
Saturday’s 30-over match began under threatening skies.
The home side’s opening batsmen found the going difficult with Richard King and Paul Joanidis bowling particularly well.
Mark Sacco proved to be the mainstay of the Marsa innings, scoring a well-earned 51 runs. Harsh Hajela compiled a useful 21 as Marsa collected a modest total of 121 for seven.
Richard King, Joe Lawson and Andrew Joanidis took two wickets each.
In reply, Joanidis (12) and Robert Smeulders (26) started solidly before persistent rain forced the officials to call off play. Woodlands were declared the winners under the Duckworth-Lewis method by 19 runs.
The drawn series brought to an end the touring team season for 2016 with Marsa playing 41 matches and winning 17 of them along the way.
Awards
Batting: Sam Aquilina – 379 runs.
Bowling: Amar Gorania – 23 wickets.
Fielding: John Grima – 13 catches and 19 stumpings (24 matches).
Marsa Cricket chairman Kevin Krishna presented Woodlands CC with mementoes.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the Malta Cricket Junior Academy activities will resume on Saturday, starting at 9am.