AIS St Helens won the ‘Spirit of Cricket Indian Community Tournament’ Trophy, winning against Desi Warriors.
Organisers Muthtamil Sangam lost in the round robin matches.
The annual tournament was held in Auckland Domain for 11 weeks from January 6 to March 31, with matches played every Sunday.
Nine teams participated in this year’s Tournament promoting goodwill and harmony among the various segments of the Indian community.
The teams were so well matched that the results of the semi-finals were determined only after the last ball of the final league match was bowled.
Biggest upset
Tuf XI, which also won the Fair Play Award, caused the biggest upset of the Tournament, defeating title holders Muthtamil Sangam.
Four teams emerged to claim the main trophy. Among them were Probasee Bengali, Telugu Association, Desi Warriors and AIS St Helens.
After claiming a few quick wickets and AIS St Helens staring down the barrel at 30/6 chasing 157 for victory, Probasee players could be forgiven for rejoicing in the first semi-final. But a determined fight from AIS St Helen’s lower middle order ensured that they sailed home with five overs and three wickets to spare.
Kasi (with 69 runs) was the main architect of this herculean effort, ably supported in crucial partnerships by Hammad and Jason at the end. Desi Warriors made a light work of New Zealand Telugu Association’s questions in the second semi-final and cruised into the finals.
The two finalists had already fought a high scoring thriller during the league stage.
Jassi scored a century, while Desi Warriors hit 200 runs.
Not to be outdone, AIS St Helens scored 188 runs in reply.
The winner leads
It was now the turn of Surendra Kamalapur (AIS St Helens Captain) to lead from front, especially after being singled out for some stick in the league match by the same opposition.
He returned with vengeance and claimed 6-30 reducing the opposition to 60/9 in 18 overs. Some tail wagging saw Desi Warriors reach a score of 121 all out.
Desi Warriors took great heart from their last minute fight back and claimed two quick wickets. AIS’s Suhas and Sharan then showed some restrain. A few quick wickets in succession and with AIS reduced to 91/7, the Captain was called to rescue. Surendra did not disappoint and with Hammad, put on an unbroken 31 runs partnership for the eighth wicket, which brought the team championship title.
This was just the second year of participation for the team in this tournament. Desi Warriors had to settle for the runner up position for the second year in succession.
Award winners
Surendra Kamalapur was adjudged the Man of the Match and also claimed the Best Bowler of the tournament award.
Ankur Grover (Probasee Bengali) was the Best Batsmen of the tournament.
As expected, there was good competition for the Man of the Series Award with Suhas (AIS) and Ricki (Desi Warriors) missing out to Ashok Verma (New Zealand Telugu Assoication)
The ‘Spirit of Cricket Indian Community Tournament’ was established 15 years ago to promote the game among the members of the Indian community and enable them to participate in matches held at local, regional and national levels.
Suhas Shanbhogue is AIS Helens all-rounder. He also plays for Hinuera Club based in Matamata
The picture appearing in this report shows Standing (from left) Mark Needham (Manager), Surendra Kamalapur (Captain), Kasi Vishwanath, Irfan Syed Afaf, Suhas Shanbhogue, Shehan Sharker, Umashankar Venigalla; Middle Row (from left) Andrew Baracho, Hammad Ashar Knealing; Back Row (from left) Jason Lewis, Ankush Anand, Harikrishna Dangwal, Sharan Ravikumaran (Wicketkeeper), Bharath Raj (Organiser). Sharath Chandra Rathod was absent.
