MEDIA RELEASE
20th April 2008
Phuket International Cricket Sixes 2008 - Finals Day Report
A Sixes Masterclass as Calcutta take the Cup in Phuket
The Calcutta Cricket & Football Club (CCFC) produced a sixes masterclass at Karon Stadium today as all opposition
was ruthlessly swept aside in the Bengali quest for the Cup on Finals Day at the Phuket International Cricket Sixes.
First in the Calcutta firing line in the first match of the day were the Liquid Lounge Lizards from Phuket
with each team vying for a place in the Cup semi-finals. Needing a win and at least 82 runs to qualify for the
semis on run rate, a Calcutta blitzkrieg ensued as the Lizards bowlers were blasted to all parts of the ground
with the CCFC posting 112 the highest total of the tournament at that time. The Lizards gave the chase their best
shot in reply but fell well short of the target.
Last year’s finalists the Leeming Spartans, under inspirational captain Brad Mant, were next in the sights
of the Calcutta masterblasters in the Cup semi final. The Spartans put on a reasonable 74 runs in their innings,
but Calcutta knocked them off with 5 balls to spare, Aman Sodhi retiring for Calcutta on 35.
In the other Cup semi final Etihad, who had an excellent Day 3 of the tournament, continued their good form
by downing the Bahrain Camels. Bahrain has registered 71 runs in their innings with Sanjay and Sreekanth showing
good form with the bat with both retiring. But again for Etihad their openers fired, Azam hitting a breezy 21
and Sanket, who was later voted Player of the Tournament, retiring once again on 33 and Etihad strolled to their
target with more than an over to spare to set up a juicy Cup final versus Calcutta.
The best was yet to come in the Cup Final for the Calcutta outfit as they amassed the highest total in the
tournament for the second time on the same day, a massive 116 runs from their allotted 5 overs. Both Sourav ‘Dolly’
Chatterjee and Aman Sondhi retired, Dolly hitting his 32 not out off just 8 balls, with the Etihad bowlers finding
no answer to the onslaught. Rajiv Seth also chipped in with 25 runs from 6 balls. In reply the Emirates side put
on a respectable 84 runs, Sanket again retiring, but it was well short of the mammoth target and the Calcutta
Cricket & Football Club deservedly took the Champions title in front of an appreciative crowd.
In other action, Toorak Prahan CC of Melbourne lifted the Plate trophy in their first appearance in Phuket
with a tight victory achieved over a lively Uni Wanderers, also making their debut at the Phuket Sixes. The Wanderers
had put on a challenging 81 in their innings but Toorak were just equal to the task taking victory on the last ball.
The Bowl final saw two Phuket Sixes regulars, the Bounty Buccaneers from Malaysia versus those Wild Men From
Borneo. The Buccs put on a massive 97 runs helped by a big innings from Dave Nightingale but also an enormous
haul of wides sent down wildly by the Borneo men. The Buccs won convincingly as the Wildmen capitulated for just
55 runs in reply, before heading to the solace of their jungle juice stash.
The Spoon final also saw a decisive victory for Guwahati Town from Assam, India over newcomers the Black Swans
from Australia. Guwahati posted a hefty 88 runs in their innings which the Swans fell well short of with their 49 runs in reply.
It was a fantastic week’s cricket in Phuket at the ‘Sixes by the Sea’, in wonderful surroundings
and played in the best traditions of the Spirit of Cricket. Following the close of play all of the 23 teams and
30 VIPs and officials attended a sumptuous Gala Awards Dinner at the Hilton Arcadia Hotel.
|
