Mhambrey wins single wicket tourney

Opting to bat first, Mhambrey drove four fours, remaining unbeaten in the allotted three overs, and later restricted Odoyo, clean bowling him twice (four runs deducted for every dismissal). The contest had become close with Odoyo needing eight runs off the last two balls. Mhambrey, however, settled the issue castling Odoyo on the penultimate ball.

In the semi-final round against former India opener Lalchand Rajput, Mhambrey regaled the goodly crowd with four big sixes over the mid-wicket region and two boundaries (through covers) to leave Rajput a target of 34 runs.

Rajput, who played despite a leg injury, faltered thrice (once bowled and twice caught) to bow out of the race. He scored nine. In the other semis, Odoyo outclassed local player Vinod Raghavan 34-17.

The other Kenyan participant Kennedy Otieno was eliminated by Mhambrey in the first round itself. Tamil Nadu’s Reuben Paul also lost in the first round to Raghavan by 17 runs.

A total of 811 runs were scored from 76 overs with 54 fours and 21 sixes being rained at the small Gymkhana ground encircled by shamianas that provide spectators much-needed relief from the summer sun.

On Sunday, India all-rounder Robin Singh along with Reuben Paul will be the star attraction for the Ramakant Desai Memorial double-wicket tournament.

Mhambrey will team with Amit Dani while Raghavan will have Mumbai U-19 player Kiran Powar as his partner. The two Kenyans have also confirmed participation.

In all, eight pairs will vie for top honours. The winning pair will win a cash prize of Rs 20,000.