The Saint Kentigern College Cricket team returned home with the ’40-Over Arch Trophy’ from Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital recently.
Captain Vedant Trivedi and his boys scored 296 runs with six wickets in tact to win the annual tournament. Their score was the highest in the limited overs matches.
Opening the innings with Simon Dennis with confidence, Vedant continued to bat, reaching the magic half century in 32 deliveries. His batting spree did not end until the scoreboard read 149 runs. At the end of his stay at the crease, he had 10 sixes and 14 fours to his credit.
His 20-strong family, including parents, grandparents and immediate relatives, cheered him and his team throughout their game.
Among the worst upset at the tournament was the dismal performance of the Uppinham School team (Rutland, Middle East England), which was ousted for just 130 runs.
Six teams, including four from UK and one each from New Zealand and the UAE participated in this year’s Cricket Tournament.
Vedant’s crowning victory was his inclusion in the ‘Corridor of Fame’ at the Emirates Palace Hotel Grounds in Abu Dhabi.
Andy Elliott, Director of Beach Club at the Hotel said in a letter addressed to the College’s Cricket Coach Anthony Bowler that the youngster was the first to score a century at the Emirates Palace Hotel Grounds.
“He is also only one of five cricketers to have done so since the ground was opened in February 2008. Of these five, three are or were professional cricketers, and two fellow Kiwis, Chris Cairns and Chris Harris.
“Vedant’s score is only currently bettered by the retired English Cricketer Philip Antony Jason DeFreitas, who scored 156 runs here.”
Mr Elliott said the ‘Corridor of Fame’ boasts of featuring some of the greatest sportspersons of our age and that all of them had appeared or stayed at the Hotel.
“We are delighted that someone as young as Vedant has, on sporting merit, joined such a rich cast,” he said.
