Game Two in the Triangular series to establish the Spanish National Finals took place between St George of Lanzarote and Cataluna Tigers at the Woodbridge Oval today.
St George won the toss for the second consecutive day and once again elected to bat. Wickets fell with too much frequency for the Lanzarote outfit and they were finally bowled out for just 137 in the 30th over.
Opener Michael McDermott top scored with 33 and Gareth James and Gary Cooper boosted the St George total with cameos worth 23 runs and 25 runs respectively. The pick of the bowlers for the Tigers was Amir Jafri, who took five wickets for just 14 runs. His 29 balls also included a wicket maiden and the Tigers also got a run out off of his bowling.
The Tigers did not have it all their own way and stumbled with the loss of both openers in the early stages of their innings. A fifth wicket partnership of 57 between the wicket keeper Jahangir (35 not out) and Jafri (47) turned the tide the way of the side from Northern Spain. Jafri’s innings was entertaining as he struck two fours and four sixes in his 25 ball effort.
Jafri departed just before the Tigers overtook the St George total in the 25th over. For St George Gareth James bowled a wonderful opening spell. His eight overs on the trot ended with figures of 2 for 29, including one maiden and numerous dropped chances that could have made for an even more difficult chase for the Catalans.
Cataluna Tigers 140 for 6 (Jafri 47, Jahangir 35 not out, G James 2-29) beat St George CC – Lanzarote 137 all out (M McDermott 33, A Jafri 5-14)
