ICC WCL Division 6 Singapore 2009

Guernsey v Malaysia
ICC World Cricket League Division Six 2009
Venue Indian Association Ground, Singapore on 2nd September 2009 (50-over match)
Balls per over 6
Toss Guernsey won the toss and decided to bat
Result Malaysia won by 4 wickets
Points Guernsey 0; Malaysia 2
Umpires VK Jha, SJA Taufel
Scorers L Hariharan, S Veillard
Man of the Match SK Alagaratnam

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Guernsey innings    RunsBallsMins4s6sSR Malaysia bowlingOvMdnRunsWktsWNbSRER
G H Smitrunout(Navaratnam)22522-42.3Navaratnam914403-4.9
R KnellerbManrick Singh18351151.4Kodikara924011-544.4
J D J FrithcMadhavanbManrick Singh79854192.9Manrick Singh91333--183.7
L SavidentcAlagaratnambNik Arifin191921100.0Sockalingham90481--545.3
*S E Le PrevostcShafiq SharifbKodikara2344--52.3Nik Arifin90341--543.8
K B MoherndlcAminuddin RamlybSockalingham1719-189.5
J A J NussbaumerbManrick Singh45--80.0
†T C R Kimbernotout109-1111.1
L B Ferbrachenotout33--100.0
J J Warrdnb
G J Richdnb
Extras (b2, lb11, w4, nb0)17
Total (for 7 wkts in 45 overs)212
Fall of wickets
1-35(Kneller),2-45(Smit),3-69(Savident),4-138(Le Prevost),5-187(Frith),6-192(Moherndl),7-205(Nussbaumer)

Malaysia innings    RunsBallsMins4s6sSR Guernsey bowlingOvMdnRunsWktsWNbSRER
T P KodikaralbwbSavident6111-54.5Savident8.4045252255.2
R Madhavanrunout(Moherndl)20393-51.3Warr92201--542.2
Ahmed FaizcFrithbWarr418--22.2Nussbaumer914201-4.7
*S K Alagaratnamnotout80934186.0Frith90491--545.4
Aminuddin Ramlyrunout(Savident / Kimber)52694-75.4Rich8.105201-6.4
D K WarusavithanacKimberbFrith612--50.0Smit0.2010--3.0
†Shafiq SharifbSavident741-175.0
Manrick Singhnotout2121-2100.0
S Navaratnamdnb
D M Sockalinghamdnb
Nik Arifindnb
Extras (b5, lb2, w11, nb2)20
Total (for 6 wkts in 44.1 overs)216
Fall of wickets
1-20(Kodikara),2-39(Ahmed Faiz),3-46(Madhavan),4-137(Aminuddin Ramly),5-148(Warusavithana),6-160(Shafiq Sharif)

MATCH

GUERNSEY experienced a second disappointment in as many days at the Indian Association yesterday.  On Monday, they were in a very commanding position with the bat against Norway before rain ruined proceedings.  Then, on the same ground 24 hours later against Malaysia, one of the strongest sides in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division Six, their match went to a nail-biting last over before the Malaysians broke the Sarnians’ hearts by grabbing a four wicket victory.

It would have been the islanders’ first win of the competition after going down to Singapore and Bahrain.  ‘We should have won,’ said Guernsey manager Dave Hearse. ‘It’s disappointing for the boys as we told them to up their games and by and large they did that. Overall the performance was better.’

The three wise men plan their attack                   ICC 

Due to the torrential rain the day before, the match was put back from 10am to 12noon start and was reduced to 45 overs.  After winning the toss and batting first, the star for Guernsey with the bat was Jeremy Frith.  The number three made 79 and was well supported by his captain, Stuart Le Prevost.  Together the pair put on 69 for the fourth wicket.  Kris Moherndl chipped in with a useful 17 at number six and Tom Kimber hit a beautiful straight six off his first ball in his useful 10 at the end.  Guernsey were aiming for 230 to 240 but had to make do with 212.  ‘We were just a few short of what a par score would have been,’ said Hearse.

Lee Savident comprehensively bowls Shafiq Sharif                   ICC

While the Malaysian bowling attack was rather unimaginative, it was known that they could bat and openers Thushara Kodikara and Rakesh Madhavan took advantage of some initial wayward bowling from new ball bowlers Lee Savident and Jonny Warr on his debut.  They put on 19 runs in the first two overs.  ‘Nineteen off two overs and that took the pressure off them,’ said Hearse.  Former Hampshire all-rounder Savident was first to react as he trapped the little opener Kodikara plumb in front and then Warr had number three Ahamed Faiz caught by Frith at mid-off. 

Warr came back in fine style from his first over that went for nine as he returned with the figures 9-2-20-1.  ‘Special mention should go to Jonny,’ said Hearse.  ‘It was a very good start for the young man. I’m pleased for him.’

Jamie Nussbaumer came on first change but with no success                   ICC

Guernsey were then buoyed when Moherndl brilliantly ran out Madhavan with a direct hit from point.  It was one of those moments that feel like they are a game turner.  But the Greens’ spirits were gradually deflated as Malaysian captain Suhan Alagaratanam and Aminudin Ramly began to take the match away from Guernsey as they both worked the ball around expertly.  They had put on close to 100 for the fourth wicket before the wicket that Guernsey so desperately craved came as Savident ran out Ramly for 52. The score was 137 for four. Guernsey’s tired and weary spirits were lifted again when both Damith Warusavithana and Mohammed Shaifq went in quick succession. But with the big hitting Manrick Singh joining Alagaratanam, who was struggling with cramp and had to have a runner, they proceeded to sour the Guernsey mood once more.

‘Surely that’s out?’ appeal from Jeremy Frith                                ICC

Requiring 35 runs off five overs, they brought it down to needing just three runs off the last over, which was bowled by Gary Rich and when Singh launched the off spinner for a massive straight six off the first ball, the game was theirs. Alagaratanam ended up unbeaten on 80.

The Guernsey team sportingly applaud Malayia                             ICC

The islanders’ spirits were further dampened when they learnt the news that Botswana, who are fighting relegation with Guernsey and Norway, had claimed a shock win over Bahrain.

Guernsey face Norway in their re-arranged match today at the Indian Association and Botswana tomorrow.  These are now must-win matches for Hearse and his side if they want to stay in Division Six.  ‘We’ve got to win the last two,’ said Hearse.  ‘They are two cup finals.’