On Saturday, Malta Select XI met the Combined XI for the second time. The Combined team were looking to even the score after losing the first encounter.

Winning the toss, Combined XI captain Tony Slater elected to bat first. Andy Lenard and Phil Gibbs opened the batting. They did not enjoy the start they wanted, both being out in the first over of the day.

Jim Heasman came to the crease which he occupied for a long while, putting some respect to the scoreboard while others (Will Nichols, six runs, Chris Naudi no runs and Andy Naudi three runs) all fell and did not keep him company.

Heasman was finally caught after making 27 runs, leaving Bikram Arora at the crease.

Arora again had a very slow start but improved to hit a string of sixes. He attained two and was also caught after making 30 runs from 28 balls. Unfortunately for the Combined team, the tail did not wag as they were bowled out in the 35th over. They totalled a mere 101 runs.

For the Select team, Ronnie Sacco and Sarfraz Ali were the main wicket takers with two each. Five other bowlers took a wicket each. Kevin Krishna had a great day in the field, taking three catches. Tony Azzopardi ran out Jai Kumar with a direct hit from almost the boundary.

John Grima and Joy Ghoseroy opened the batting for the Select team and put on 46 runs before Ghoseroy was caught. He had made 11 runs. Grima went on to top score with 30 runs, including four fours.

Nowell Khosla made 20 runs not out as his team easily made the required runs in 20 overs. The Combined bowling was sloppy as they gave away 22 wides which did not help their cause.

Jai Kumar was the pick of the bowlers taking two wickets. The Malta Select team lead the series 2-0.

On Saturday, the Winter League continues with the start of the second round when Krishna take on Melita Betfair.

The nursery/academy will be from 9 till 10.30 a.m.