The Muthamil Sangam (MTS) won the Indian Community Cricket Tournament in a nail-biting finish at the Auckland Domain on March 20.
The Team representing Tamil Christian Association (TCA) was the Runner-Up.
The winning team grabbed the Tournament honour by five wickets.
TCA won the toss and elected to bat but was soon in trouble. Despite a steady middle order, they were bundled out for 86 runs.
Prakash Ezhumalai, Ashok and Prince Rao were the most successful bowlers for MTS, grabbing three wickets each.
MTS began with a disaster, losing two early wickets (Kaniskh and Kiran) but soon found their rhythm and managed to score 87 runs. TCA still had fire left in them; they grabbed four wickets quickly, leaving MTS tottering at 54 for six.
It was deja vu again. But MTS Captain Wells Albert (and Tournament Organiser) and Prince had other ideas. They ensured that the team was crowned as the new Champions.
Pratik from TCA was declared the Best Batsman of the Tournament, while Prakash from MTS was declared the Fastest Bowler of the Tournament.
Earlier, TCA and MTS reached the finals, beating respectively NZIOS and Kannada Koota. MTS has been the Runner-Up for the past two years, although skipper Wells was keen to turn the fortune around.
Nine teams comprising Deccan Charges, Kannada Koota, Kings XI Punjab, Manik XI, Muthamil Sangam (MTS), New Zealand Indian Overseas Students (NZIOS), Probasee, Relianz Forex Manik XI, Tamil Christians (of the Tamil Christian Association) and TUF XI participated in the tournament, which was third in an annual series.
Wells said that the Tournament was designed as a social and family event, bringing together the members of the Indian community.
The format was Round Robin games, with the top four qualifying to play in the semifinal matches.
