England: On Monday was a pivotal point in Indian Cricket. Not only did the National Indian Cricket team win at Lord’s after 28 years but campus cricket champs, India’s Rizvi College won on Day 1 of the quarter finals of Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals 2014 at Wormsley!
The Red Bull Campus Cricket World Finals got under way and unlike the playfulness surrounding the draw ceremony, the teams launched themselves head on in to their opening games. New conditions, new opposition and a completely new opportunity for the competing eight teams meant everyone was keen on putting their best foot forward.
The UK, represented by the Leeds Bradford MCC team, kicked things off against the Jamaica Intercollegiate Sports Association team, and it seemed as though it would be a big win for the hosts. However, the game being played at the Aston Rowant Cricket Ground, was all about the bowlers. With the West Indian team bowled out for 98, the match was there for the taking for Leeds Bradford. Instead, they were skittled out for 72 in the 19th over. Chrishna Graham with his man-of-the-match effort of 3 for 19 easing the way through for his team.
Over at Wormsley Cricket Ground, the opening game was dramatic, but for completely different reasons from the West Indian victory. The Australians won a topsy turvy contest in the last over. Opener Nicholas Walker scored 58 off 49 balls, as the Australian openers rattled off an opening stand of 65 in double quick time. However, it was some resolute bowling from Pakistan that prevented a large score. The off-spin of Junaid Ilyas coming to his team’s rescue as Ilyas bowled a spell of 2 for 14 and Australia crumbled to 114 for 8 in their 20. Then Pakistan lost regular wickets in their chase until a 54 run stand between Zakir Ali and Saifullah Bangash for the 5th wicket. However, once they departed back to back, the Australians managed to apply the pressure and squeeze out a 2 run win and deservedly so. Unsurprisingly, Walker was named man of the match.
It wasn’t all low scoring on Day 1 though, as South Africa’s Theunis de Bruyn scored the first hundred of the day against a fairly hapless University of Liberal Arts representing Bangladesh. A massive 137 off 60 balls that included 12 boundaries and eight hits over the fence, helped de Bruyn play a remarkable captain’s innings. The Assupol Tuks reached 205 for 4 in their 20 as the Bangladeshi bowlers had an afternoon to forget. As the Bangladeshi batsmen managed 91 for 7 in 20 overs, the Tuks wrapped up a massive win to earn a bonus point.
The defending champions India, this year represented by Rizvi College, started on a bright note with a comfortable win over Sri Lanka. With a steady bowling performance from India who used as a many as seven bowlers, the ICBT Colombo batsmen were held to a modest 119 for 6 in their allotted overs. India showed a lot of self assurance as an opening stand of 62 saw them coast to a 9 wicket win. Sumit Ghadigaonkar’s unbeaten 76 off 57 balls took Rizvi home as he helped himself to the man of match and Rizvi College secured a crucial bonus point.
Which means that at the end of the day, India and South Africa lead their groups with big wins and bonus points while England and Pakistan might think of their missed chances.
The participating countries will be represented by the following institutions:
United Kingdom: Leeds Bradford MCC
Australia: University of New South Wales
Bangladesh: University of Liberal Arts
India: Rizvi College
Pakistan: Karachi University
South Africa: University of Pretoria
Sri Lanka: International College of Business and Technology
West Indies: Jamaica Intercollegiate