Marshall Sixers vs Popovich Panthers match report
Mar 05, 2016 01:11 PM | Popovich Panthers won by 178 runs | ScorecardGaurav Mathur's scintillating ton destroys Marshall Sixers.
Gaurav Mathur broke all Cromwell records on Friday by scoring a record setting 162 runs of just 54 balls as the Popovich Panthers strangled the Sixers by 178 runs. Mathur hit 17 sixes and 10 boundaries as 142 off his 162 runs came from fours and sixes alone. Mathur’s score (162) now stands as the highest runs scored by a batsman at Cromwell, most number of sixes in an innings (17) and highest runs scored in an innings at Cromwell (271) in the 11-year history of Cromwell Premier League. Mathur has surely solidified his name as one of the top talents USC has produced in years past and the young gun has a very bright future ahead of him.
The only thing that went the Marshall Sixers way was the toss, as Rohan Kaleasked the Panthers to bat first. Gaurav opened the innings and dominated the MS bowlers right from the start. MS opening bowlers Harshal and Punit were shell-shocked by this onslaught and the duo combined for 35 wides and 4 no balls in their 6 overs. Kartik Swaminathan, was the only MS bowler who kept Gaurav relatively quiet and conceded 33 off his 3 overs. Ravindra Jain, Nishit Mehta, Dinesh Naag all contributed in partnership with Gaurav. Ashish Relanchipped in with a quick-fire 26 as well. Brilliant batting display by Gaurav M. but some really poor bowling by MS as extras were the 2nd highest scorer with 63 runs conceded to sundries.
MS batting offered no resistance as the batsmen tentatively prodded and nudged on good length balls. Goutham A V Kumar was brilliant in his 3 overs, picking up 4 wickets and all to fantastic balls swinging away from the right handed batsmen. Sushil Premjani finally made his debut in the 2016 season and put up yet another excellent effort on the field snapping 6 catches. A much needed respite for PP as the Panthers have dropped some simple chances in the last couple of games. Rohan Kale (50) was the only MS batsman who showed some heart and played well for his half-century but failed to get any support from his teammates. Ravi Lingineni picked up yet another couple of wickets as the PP support bowlers continue to improve as the season progresses.
A thumping win as any for the Panthers as they now get into the meat of their schedule with the Trojan Tigers looming next. For MS, it was a forgettable game and the faster they erase their memories of Mathur dispatching their bowling attack over the bleachers, the better for them. Good luck to the Sixers for the rest of the season.