The inaugural SCA Elite Player 50 Over Series kicked off during the Chinese New Year holidays on the 5th and 6th of February 2019. All three teams saw action across the two days with SG Crescents playing two matches back to back.
In the first match of the 50 over series on the 5th of February 2019, SG Crimsons took on SG Crescents at the Indian Association ground. The day match commenced at 9.30 am with SG Crimsons winning the toss and electing to bat. Navin Param played a sensible innings of 70 not out and should have scored more if not for a batting collapse which saw the SG Crimsons going from a strong position to score 230 over runs to being dismissed for 177 in 43 overs. Prasheen Param 33 (61) and Janak Prakash 32 (42) were the other significant contributors for the Crimsons score. Ugandan skipper, Roger Mukasa taking 4 wickets for 45 in his 10 overs and his fellow countryman adding to Crimson’s misery by claiming 3-22 off 8 overs.
The SG Crescents chase started dismally with early wickets being lost up till Aryaman Uchil went on the assault and scored 58 (45) balls which consisted of 5 sixes. He was eventually caught in the deep but has already set the platform for an easier chase of the total. A sensible knock of 24 (53) inched the Crescents to the total with many overs to spare but a late surge by the Crimsons left the Crescents needing 3 runs with 1 wicket left and were let off the hook when Anantha Krishna cover drove a boundary taking them over the line for a one wicket victory. Zimbabwean quick, Tafara Chingwara bringing the game to the edge with his 4/42 off 8 overs.
The second match played as a day nighter at IA between the SG Crescents and SG Stars saw the former putting on a brilliant batting display as a unit as they amassed 251/8 in 50 overs. Aditya Mallik became the first centurion with 104 (117) showing his class with a well-paced innings on a difficult track. Kshitij Shinde played his hand with a useful 52 (68) while Malaysian Virandeep Singh was the next best scorer for Stars with 28 (68). Left arm paceman, Charles Waiswa with impressive figures of 3/34 off 9 overs.
The SG Crescents were in for a torrid time as Pakistani tearaway quick, Husnain Shah ran through their top order leaving them on the ropes for 53/4. A valiant knock at the end by Karthik Subramanian for his 25 (36) was never going to be enough as Crescents folded to a thumping 141 run defeat. Husnain Shah the star of the show with his 4/14 off 5 overs.
The series will now recommence on the 9th of February 2019 when the SG Crimsons will look to take on the SG Stars for their first win of the campaign.
