All-rounder Atharva shines John Bright fluent win

by Suman Gupta

Mumbai: A splendid all-round display by Atharva Dakwe, who claimed two wickets for 24 runs and scored 36 runs was instrumental in John Bright Cricket Club registering a comfortable 6-wicket victory against Gaud Saraswat Cricket Club in the concluding Group-B league match of Lord Northbrook CC orgainsed 1^st LNCC Omni Global Trophy Invitation Under-19 (45 overs) Cricket Tournament 2021, conducted under the auspices of the Mumbai Cricket Association and played at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana ground, Marine Drive on Wednesday.

Atharva and teammate Anurag Singh (2 for 24 runs) combined effectively to restrict Gaud Saraswat CC to a modest total of 166 for 9 wickets in their innings of 45 overs. Gaud Saraswat who decided to bat first struggled and Awais Khan was the only batsman who managed to stay long in the middle scoring 31 runs.

In reply, John Bright faced little difficulty as they easily chased the winning target with plenty to spare. The John Bright batsmen dominated the rival bowling as they reached 168 for the loss of just 4 wickets in 36.5 overs. Staedy batting from Saahil Shetty 35 runs and Atharva 36 runs carried the team to victory. This was the second win for John Bright who with four points finished in first position in the group and have now progressed to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile in an inconsequential Group-A match, Payyade Sports Club defeated Shantibhai Sheth Memorial CC by an emphatic 8 wickets at the Karnatak SA ground, Cross Maidan. Deciding to bat first, Shantibhai Sheth were bowled out for a paltry 114 runs in 44 overs. Saqib Mulani top-scored with 36 runs. Payyade bowler Rajesh Sardar was very effective and economical as he claimed 5 wickets for only 4 runs.

Payade easily surpassed the Shantibhain Sheth losing just two wickets as they reached 115 runs in 16.5 overs. Opening batsman Musheer Khan who has been in great form scored 68 runs to steer Payyade to victory.

New Hind Cricket Club the third team in the group topped the group with four points and were already assured a place in the semi-finals.

Brief scores – Group-A: Shantibhai Sheth Memorial CC 114 all out, 44 overs (Saqib Mulani 36, Rajesh Sardar 5 for 4) lost to Payade SC 115 for 2 wickets, in 16.5 overs (Musheer Khan 68). Result: Payade SC won by 8 wickets.

Group-B: Gaud Saraswat Cricket Club 166 for 9 wickets, 45 overs (Awais Khan 31; Atharva Dakwe 2 for 24, Anurag Singh 2 for 24) lost to John Bright Cricket Club 168 for 4 wickets, 36.5 overs (Saahil Shetty 35, Atharva Dakwe 36). Result: John Bright CC won by 6 wickets.