COMBINED COLLEGES MAKE WINNING START IN THE SOUHERN LEAGUE
In the inaugural match of the Southern Spanish Cricket League, played on Sunday 4th April at the University ground in Málaga, Combined Colleges Cricket Club, having won the toss and elected to bat, made a solid start, moving steadily to 82 before losing their first wicket in the 13th over, helped it must be said by some wayward early bowling from Málaga Cricket Club. In the 20th over Combined Colleges seemed to be cruising towards 250 from their 35 overs when a lightning throw from Asif Tarar ran out opener Previn Menon who was well set on 44. With the Malaga bowlers having adjusted their sights more accurately wickets then fell steadily and the innings ended in the 33rd over on 210.
211 to win is far from impossible for the Malaga side but in the second over Ashan Alwis struck with two wickets – 6 for 2. With a third wicket for Ashan in the 6th over Malaga were reeling. A fifth wicket partnership of 35 steadied the ship somewhat to take them to 80 for 5 after 18 overs before a flurry of wickets saw the innings end on 120 in the 25th over.
First blood then to Combined Colleges who took 18 points – 5 bowling, 3 batting plus 10 for the win. Málaga went home with 6 points – 5 bowling and 1 batting.
Man of the Match? With 1 for 32 from 7 overs, two catches and a magnificent run out to his name, Asif Tarar might have been in with a shout on another day but the honours must go to Ashan Alwis for ripping the heart out of the Málaga innings with his early wickets and final figures of 5 overs, 4 for 24.
…Thanks to Ray Fry for the match report….