CYPRUS V JOINT SERVICES

 

In the first game after Belgium the Cyprus team returned to Happy Valley to play a joint services team made up from the best of the army and air force cricketers.

 

 

This was Amits last game before he leaves Cyprus as his employer Amdocs transfers him to a new position in the US. Hopefully it wont be the end of his cricket with the Cyprus team but it is a long commute from North Carolina.

 

 

Joint Services batted first. They came with a strong batting line up, with centurion John Conway and Richie Williams, back after his shoulder injury, nos 1 and 2. Both started brightly but both fell early, John Conway bowled by Sunils inswing and Richie Williams caught behind of a seaming fast delivery from Chris Markides.  Nos 3 and 4 Dom Spencer and Gareth Stone tried to settle the innings down and succeeded for a short while taking singles while fending off Cyprus eager bowling attack. A change of pace brought an abrupt end to the partnership, as Dom Spencer gave up a catch off spinner Vishnu Naik and Gareth Stone managed to run himself out. Nos 5 and 6 Paul Morey and Scott Hanson both fell without scoring to Sampath Arthanayake’Äôs clever in and outswing which left the Joint Services six down with just over twenty runs on their total.

 

     

Sampath and Niroshan take wickets

 

It was left to no 8 Jay Wilde to give the innings some respectability with a top scoring innings of 24 before he fell to Sunil. Without much support from the rest of the tail Joint Services were all out after 28 overs for 64 runs.

In his testimonial match Amit opened with Sampath. It was to be a typical Amit innings, careful, composed and in the context of this game vital to Cyprus winning hopes

Sampath pulls Scott Harrison for Cyprus only 6

 

Sampath was letting loose at the other end, scoring a quick 27 before seeing his stumps splayed by Scott Hanson after stepping away to cut a straight delivery. Anil came and went without scoring and it soon became clear that this was not going to be a walkover. Next in left-hander Andrekos Varnava held his own for a while before falling lbw to John Conway.

 

          

the end of Sampath,Anil and Niroshan

 

Amit was still standing steady at the one end while wickets continued to tumble at the other, Niroshan bowled on 6 by James White playing across a straight ball, Mohammad caught off White for 4, and Sarwar and Sunil falling with one run between them.

But the score was inexorably getting closer to Joint Services total and it was appropriately left to Amit to hit the winning runs, having directed the innings from the start, to be not out on 15 after 19 overs. Cyprus won by 3 wickets. 

 

Amit batting

 

Joint Services Batting

R.Willikams 0

J.Conway 3

D.Spencer 9

G.Stone 7

P.Mosley 0

S.Hanson 0

M.Downs 4

J.Wilde 24

P.Williams !

N.Lewis 4 no

Charlie 2

 

Cyprus bowling

Sunil 4.5 overs 3 wckts for 7 runs

Chris Markides overs .1 for 7

Niroshan 5 overs 2 for 13

Sampath 5 overs 2 for 7

Vishnu 3 overs 1 fir 13

Mohammad 3 overs 0 for 16

 

Cyprus batting

Sampath 27

Amit 15 no

Anil 0

Andew 3

Niroshan 6

Mohammad 4

Sarwar 1

Sunil 1

Vishnu 1 no

 

Joint Services bowling

J.Conway 6 overs 1 for 27

S.Harrison 4 overs 2 for 11

J.White 6 overs 3 for 10

R.Williams 5 overs 1 for 9

 

Cyprus XI v Corfu Tavern Aug 6th

 

In the last practise match before the European Champs, the Cyprus team took on a very strong Corfu Tavern, which included thehiugh scoring left hand bat, Zahid and Kashif who has been captaining the side of late.

The Cyprus team won the toss and captain Mike Kyriacou decided to field to give his bowlers a work out.

Opening with eighteen-year-old Chris Markides, Mike and Chris soon found their line and both, bowling fast, were hungryto take wickets. By the sixth over Corfu were 4 wickets down and in trouble.

It was a situation that even Zahid and batting partner Bala could not remedy. Zahid fell to Nalaga from a sharp catch by Niroshan and Bala was caught by a quite spectacular diving catch from Mohammad Hussein on the mid wicket boundary off Sunil’Äôs bowling. It was left to captain Kashif to try to save the day, but there was too much left for him to do. Cyprus were well organised in the field, and were not going to let Cpotfu back into the game. Another catch by Niroshan saw off Kashif, Corfus top scoring batsman on 23. It was left to Batti to nurse the tail to a moderate total of 118 off 30 overs of a 40 over game.

Cyprus bowling Mike Kyriacou 4-2-21, Christos Markides 6-2-28, Niroshan 5-0-14, Nalaga 2-1-6, Sunil 3-1-13, Vijay 4-2-5, Vishnu 3-1-5, M.Hussein 3-0-8, Amit 1- 0-9

 

Cyprus opening bats Sampath T and Anil faced Corfu bowlers Shahid and Nirosh. Nirosh in particular has been a prolific wicket taker for Corfu this season. In his second over he clean-bowled Anil, but this was to be his only success of the afternoon. Amit came in at no 3 and he and Sampath knuckled down to a steady accumulation of runs without taking any risks. This was a mature batting performance from Sampath who seemed to benefit from Amits calming influence. Scoring easily without ever overreaching himself Sampath took seven boundary fours as he reached his half-century, Amit supporting. After 20 overs with the match all but won the two retired, Amit on 24 Sampath T on 57, to let Sampath A and Mike Kyriacou take the Cyprus team to a easy victory against a very good opposition.

The Cyprus team were focused and motivated throughout the game. This team of disparate talents and personalities gelled for the first time into a singular force, that, if this present form can be maintained, opposing teams wil find very difficult to break down.

 

 

 

CYPRUS XI v WSBA July 2nd 2006

On another scorching Sunday morning, Happy Valley was the venue for a friendly fixture between WSBA Cricket Team and the Cypriot National side who are currently preparing for their trip to Belgium where they will be taking part in the European Championships.

With club captain SAC Richie Williams still forced to sit out due to a recent operation to stabilize his shoulder, WSBA were once again led by the young, but experienced head of Marcus Holden. The WSBA were also missing a few regular players and knowing this had drafted in 3 players who were not eligible to play for the Cyprus Team.

Cyprus won the toss and elected to bat first. Opening the bowling was Wg Cdr Jon Conway and Roshan. Conway started as tight as normal with his first over being a maiden. It wasnt long before the wickets began to fall, Conway struck in the 5th over, Amit caught behind by a new and improved looking Flt Lt Graham Chipperfield. Next Roshan was to strike, Anil was the victim this time who gave Julian Joss a dolly of a catch. Along with a silly run out, this left the national team on 14 for 3 wickets from just 6 overs, just the start WSBA wanted to lift the morale after their loss in the league last weekend.

The national team had hoped for a better start and with Sampath coming to the wicket they had great expectations from the talent he showed in previous games. He started well and together with Niroshan the score got up to a still under par 28, and then Sampath gave more catching practise, this time to WSBA`s Roshan. One of the guest players for WSBA was Salim, this proved to be a great help as he finished with figures of 4 ’Äì 15 off 6 overs. After this spell Cyprus were struggling with only 79 runs on the board they lost their 8th wicket to Andy Spring who bowled Souni after adding 12 runs to the total. The Cyprus innings came to an end in the 26th over when Cpl Martin Downs took his first ever wicket for WSBA with Suri skying a straight ball to Salim. With just 90 on the scoreboard Cyprus had a lot of hard work to do in the effort of defender their total.

Great bowling from all the WSBA bowlers, Wg Cdr Conway finished with 1 ’Äì 16 off 6 overs, Roshan 2-15 off 6 overs and Salim with excellent figures of 4-15 off 6 overs. This bowling was backed up with an excellent fielding display, probably the most impressive this season with everyone working hard and saving vital runs in the burning Cyprus heat.

The opening pair for WSBA`s innings, once again were Jon Conway and Roshan. With such a low score to reach, it was important for WSBA not to loose silly wickets as teams have done in the past and failed to take advantage of the low target. This scenario didn’Äôt look on the horizon as Conway and Roshan batted steadily and took their time up to the first drinks break at 10 overs. With the Cyprus bowlers working hard to defend the total they were happy to see the scoreboard showing just 15 runs at drinks.

The opening pair got back to work after drinks, and started opening up and picking up the run rate. With both looking settled and the score ever increasing, the hard work and disciplined bowling from Sampath and Naliga paid off with the wickets of Roshan and Conway. Trying the glance a wayward ball on the leg side Roshan was caught behind, making just 7 runs. Then with an extra 10 runs being added to the total, Jon Conway was bowled by an excellent yorker from Sampath, scoring 22. With the score on 46 off 17 overs it was important for the WSBA batsman to value their wicket and stay at the crease. This wasn’Äôt the case for the second guest player, Arif as he allowed Naliga his second wicket, bowling Arif without any runs being added.

This now left Salim and Andy Spring at the crease, needing just 33 runs off the last 10 overs and Cyprus needing to get 7 more wickets, WSBA had victory in sight.

Once again Salim proved to be a great help for WSBA as he dispatched the Cypriot bowling to the boundary to make his way to a total of 28. Andy Spring played a key part in the final run chase as he knocked single after single, running quickly with Salim. Then came the shot of the day, a top edge from Spring over the slips and to the boundary for 6. Not to be found in the coaches manual but it certainly did the job for WSBA as they reached the total after 23.2 overs with 3 wickets down. Andy spring finished with a not out score of 13.

 

Some good bowling from the Cypriot bowlers in the tough task of defending a small total, Sampath finishing with 1 ’Äì 9 off 5 overs and Naliga with 2-22 off 4 overs.

So finally another win for the WSBA which is well deserved and a great boost for the team, with 3 fixtures still to play in the opening half of the season some important matches coming up.

With players constantly becoming unavailable due to holidays, injuries and postings it is very important that any new talent is spotted in the WSBA, anyone interested can contact SAC Richie Williams on 99188689 for more information.  

         

CYPRUS XI V ISLAND XI June 4 2006

The Cyprus XI took on an Island XI on June 4th in the second of this years warm up games leading up to the Euro Champs in August.

Putting a Cyprus team together has been a challenge.

The qualifying criteria laid down by the ICC, the International Cricket Council, for playing in a national team has been exact. Scouring the league teams for eligible cricketers has been frustrating as too many good players had to be discounted.

The players that emerged from this trawl knew of each other but had not played together. The challenge now is to build a cohesive unit from this group of individuals.

A good team needs a mix of all the cricketing skills. There are batsmen that score their runs quickly with mighty blows and batsmen that deftly place the ball away from defending fielders and craft an innings slowly. There are bowlers that hurl the ball as fast as they can and bowlers that float the ball in the air turning it to all angles as it hits the ground. As each player works to establish his own distinctive role in the side, the coach and captain look to build a group of players whose skills complement each other.

The Island XI was a  strong opposition for the Cyprus team. Good players usually perform well against other good players. Batting together for the first time Sampath Tsangarides and Amit didn’Äôt have too long to become acquainted as Sampath was given out caught behind after just five balls. Amit and no 3 Anil went on to forge a partnership of  59,Amit supporting as Anil picked the ball of his toes to fly to the long on boundary. Amit might be characterised, as a deft batsman while Anil, no 4 bat Dileepa and no 5 captain Mike Kyriacou are the powerhouse of the teams batting. Together they accumulated 150 runs, just less than three quarters of the team’Äôs total in very quick time. Anil scored 43, Dileepa 48 and Mike Kyriacou top scored with 60.

When Dileepa was bowled by Arif after hitting him for three sixes in the four previous balls the pace slowed just a little. Mike was joined by Sampath Atanayake, another deft batsman who has scored 133 runs in the two previous warm up games without yet loosing his wicket. This time he didn’Äôt have the opportunity to impose himself as he was run out by a direct hit, a bullet throw from Safaraz aiming at only one stump. Now supported by wicketkeeper Danuka, Mike Kyriacou continued to score freely until finally losing his wicket in the 27th over caught off Salim when the score was 180. The tail made the most of the final overs easing the score up to 225 for 8.

This had been an encouraging batting display from the Cyprus XI. Batting partnerships make for winning totals and the top order batsmen are now beginning top feel comfortable with each other. They built two half-century partnerships with two more of 34 and 38 runs.

The Island XI had distributed the wickets evenly among their bowlers, but the best were Nirosh 2 for 22 after his 7 overs and the very accurate spinner Bhatti, who contained Cyprus XI batting powerhouse with figures of 1 for 30 off 7 overs.

In the first fifteen overs of their innings the Island XI equalled, and at times overtook the required run rate but at the cost of too many wickets. By the twentieth over they were six wickets down and 106 on the board. At the same juncture Cyprus XI had been 139 for 4. Unfortunately opening bat Usman who was on 58 had to retire and with his departure the fight sapped out of the Island XI batting. They were all out after 29 overs for 131 runs.

Wickets were distributed evenly among the Cyprus XI bowlers. Sampath Artanayake bowled with his usual control taking two wickets for 26 in his seven overs. Offspinner Vishnu came back from the brink, having been hit for two consecutive sixes in his first over to take two wickets in his third, finishing with 2 for 26 after 3 overs.

This was a good win for the Cyprus team. Not just because they defeated a strong opposition but because they looked like a cohesive unit as they did it.

In July the final selection of 13 players to go to the championships must be submitted to the tournament organisers. There is going to be a very hard debate before that final selection is made. There is still plenty of time for players to claim their place with league games throughout June and another warm up game in July.

So far there has not been a bad performance from the Cyprus XI. They have proved themselves against good opposition. But still unknown is the quality of players they will have to face in the Championships, the best qualifying players from Finland, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Slovenia. It is not the most talented team but the best prepared team that will raise the trophy.

 

Cyprus XI v WSBA May 7 2006

On May 7th the Cyprus XI took one WSBA , last years league champions, in the first of the years run up games to the Euro Div 4 championships next August.

This was the first of four games to be played on the first Sunday of each month, when the Cyprus X! take on the best opposition on the island.

WSBA elected to bat first. They ha d much the same team that had produced mixed results against the touring sides last month, winning when all other teams had lost and then loosing where other teams had won.

Opening pair, John Conway and Han started steadily but slowly when the normally high scoring Han was caught behind off Chris Markides for 0 when the score was only 7. John Conway looked solid at one end but his partners wobbled and fell at the other, first Roshan off first change bowler Sampath Tsangarides for 6 and then Rohit lbw to Sampath two overs later for 0.

Andy Mulkern joined John Conway and the beginning of a partnership was developing when Conway was caught off left hand bowler and Cyprus captain Mike Kyriacou, Richard Cox came to the wicket with the score on 28 for 4 and he and Andy Malkern were obliged to build once again. This time the partnership stuck, and both batsmen began to open their shoulders and find their shots. When Mulkern finally was caught off a miss-hit full toss from leg spinner Hussein for 24 the two had increased the score to 80, a partnership of 52 runs. WSBA needed 120 for respectability, and despite a total lack of support from the tail who together only managed 4 runs between five batsmen, Richard Cox, now hitting big boundaries, took his score to 51, when he was lbw to Sampath Artanayake with the score on 113. The last overs produced only 3 more runs with WSBA finishing 117 for 9 from 35 overs. Sampath A rtanaye 2 for 10, Chris Markides 2 for 14, Sampath Tsangarides 2 for 20 were the best of the Cyprus bowlers, with leg spinner Hussein a mercurial 2 for 14 off two overs.

Sampath Artanayake and Nalaga opened for the Cyprus XI, and a seedy start brought 36 runs before Nalaga was caught off Marcus. After a walk on role from no 3 Dileepa, first dropped trying to hit Conway to the boundary and then caught a couple of balls later from an identical shot, No 4 bat Sampath Tsagarides built a steadying partnership with Sampath A and although only contributing 5 runs himself, the partnership was worth 40 runs when Sampath T was caught off Roshan, the total progressing to 79. Mike Kyriacou came in at no 5 and with the startling power that has characterised his previous innings three overs and four sixes later the game was over. Cyprus XI was 118 for 3 after 15 overs with Sampath Artanaye on 50 not out. John Conway suffered most from Mike Kyriacous late onslaught turning otherwise reasonable figures into 1 for 39. The other wicket taker Marcus Holden was 1 for 21.

A good start to the Cyprus teams preparation. Still a fair way to go.

 

Cyprus XI v Barkby United Oct 16 2005

This was the second occasion for the fledgeling Cyprus XI to try it wings. Barkby reserved their best players for this game, amoung them former test player Roland Butcher. Roland now coaches cricket at the University of Barbados and probably put on his whites again, or his black and reds as was Barkbys very colourful one day strip, with some trepidation.

Cyprus XI captain Dileepa choose to field. Barkby batting was soon in trouble with no 2, J.Pook, bowled by Chamara after only 4 balls.The opening bowling pair Chamara with bowling partner Chris Markides,served the Barkby batting a meal of bouncers and out swing which had even the best flailing as the ball passed their off stump. Roland Butcher showed his class, top scoring with 23, but mishit a Markides bouncing ball to be caught at square leg. With their star out the rather dispirited Barkby batsmen looked to defend, hoping for some wayward bowling later on. Opener Tebitt was caught at point by Chris Vassiledes taken high over his right shoulder off a searing cut. Tebitt was so convinced the ball had had gone to the boundary, that he could only stare in disbelief. Stolid defense by A.Raven (1) P.Grant (11), K. Flowers (0), R.Dutton (9) against some accurate medium pace bowling from Sunil, Sampath and Suri, mixed with tempting but dangerous off spin from Vishnu, did help much towards taking Barkley to a competitive total. No 8 R.Botting worked out the only way to play at Happy Valley, , and for a while looked dangerous, hitting two big sixes,but was soon caught off Cris Markides for 15. T.Harvey (16 no) took on the score as best he could, supported by M.Hall (1 no), but after their 35 overs Barkby had managed only 106 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.

Cyprus bowling Chamara 7 overs, 1 wicket for 25 runs. Chris Markides 7 overs 2 for 27. Sunil 5 overs 2 for 9.Sampath 5 overs 2 for 7. Vishnu 6 overs 1 for 10. Suri 5 overs 1 for 22.

Throughtout the Barkby innings the wind had picked up and the dark clouds rolled in from the mountains. Light stready rain made the playing difficult and when, on the third ball of the Cyprus innings, fast left hand bowler Harvey skidded and fell badly, fortunately not injuring himself, Umpire Norman Bailey abandoned the match before someone did.

This had been a chance for the Cyprus XI to play against a UK side who play a different kind of cricket to the furious game they are used to in the Island league. Although the game was defeated by the weather the experience and lessons learned will have done the Cyprus XI a lot of good.

 

Cyprus XI v Island XI Oct 9 2005

Sunday Oct 9th marked an important day in the development of cricket in Cyprus.

At Happy Valley the embryonic Cyprus team took on the Best of the League in a 35 over match. This was a game that brought together the very best players in Cyprus. The Cyprus team, under captain Mike Kyriacou, was made up of those players that meet the nationality criteria set by the European Cricket Association. The Best of the League, under the captaincy of WSBA_s Rob Buckley, were the best players, drawn from the league teams , that have not yet been in Cyprus long enough to qualify for the Cyprus team.

It promised to be an exiting game. And it was. With moments of individual brilliance, strong team ethic, and a little bit of luck, it became one of those rare spectacles that rivet spectators to their seats. Visitors came down to Happy Valley expecting a gentle relaxing Sunday but found themselves caught up in a nail biting, compulsive struggle that had to be watched to the end.

The Cyprus team batted first. Sampath, after looking dangerous, was bowled by WSBA_s Rob Buckley for 8. This brought Cyprus XI main batsman to the crease, Dileepa.  Dileepa has shown himself to be a prolific run scorer with a rich panalopy of shots. He looked good for a few overs but fell as he attempted to hook a bouncer from Kasif straight into the hands of square leg Andy Malkern. This was one of three catches that Andy was to take that day, one a diving one handed catch right out on the boundary, that showed the kind of ability that had made him young hopeful for Sussex County CC.

Opening bat Danuka played an anchor role as first Niroshan and then Lions Sampath showed their attacking intent. Niroshan scored 40, with a six and two fours, before being caught by off spinner Mani off his own bowling. Sampath first scoring shot was a six. Five sixes and six fours later, on 83 not out, he had brought the Cyprus XI to a total up to 210 after 35 overs.

His defining innings gave Cyprus XI the runs they needed, but without the support of first Danuka, (28), and then the Himalayans Amit (37), he would not have been able to score so freely. Danuka fell to Mani caught by Andy Malkern, as Andy took that diving one handed catch on the mid wicket boundary. Amit played his usual controlled innings until he was caught, the third catch of the day taken by Andy Malkern, off Kashifs bowling.

After 10 overs the Cyprus XI were on 29, after 20 overs on 75, after 25 on 98. It was that explosive innings from Sampath with Amit firing at the other end in the last ten overs that gave them such a dominant final score.

Island XI bowling: Rob Buckley 1 wicket for 37 runs off 6 overs,Arif 0 for 47 off 7,Kasif 2 for 25 off 6, Schwabi for 20 off 3, Zahid 0 for 28 off 3,Mani 2 for 32 off 6, Asim 0 for 19 off 3.

210 is an imposing total to chase, but the Island XI had the batting talent to match it. With double centurion from the 20.20 competition, Zahid at no 3, the explosive Asim at no 1 and Springboks Arif and Kashif at 4 and 5 they had a formidable batting line up.

Asim was out cheaply, run out from a direct hit from Richard Cox in the covers. Zahid took his place starting carefully, just winding up the pace when Sri Lankans Sampath bowled him for 33. Just as Dileepa had been taken out of the equation in the Cyprus innings now Zahid, the Island XI top batsman, had gone without wreaking the kind of destruction he is known for. With Mani caught behind off Niroshan for 8, and no 4 bat Schwabi caught by Niroshan off Lions Sampath for 6, the Island XI had four wickets down and only 83 runs on the board.

The next three batsmen changed the course of the game. The normally hard-hitting Arif played a subtle innings supporting the fine allrounder Kashif. Careful shot selection and brutal dismissal of any loose bowling kept their side just in sight of the run rate. But by the time Arif was eventually bowled for 36 by Chris Markides the asking rate was 10 an over and it seemed the best of the Island XI batting was already out. Young WSBA player Roshan was thrown into the cauldron. He could never have been in a position quite like this before, with so much pressure and expectation, so much depending on him, facing such a quality attack.

But he stood his ground. At every opportunity he gave the strike to Kashif, who was finding the boundary with a six or four with each over.  As he gained confidence he picked up the pace himself, hitting two big sixes in quick succession.

At the other end Kashif was playing one of the innings of his life. Never straining or loosing his poise he was stroking twos off good balls, putting any lose ball over the boundary.

 By the second to last over only 6 runs were needed for a famous victory. In a last throw of the dice off spinner Vishnu took the ball. Kashif hit him for four off the first ball and Vishnu caught and bowled him with the third. But the damage had been done. With two run off the fifth ball, the Island XI had defeated the Cyprus XI, by four wickets with just seven balls left to bowl.

The innings between Kashif and Roshan had been decisive. Kashif top scored on 58 with four sixes and two fours and Roshan was 32 not out.

Cyprus XI bowling: Nikroshan 1 for 36 off 6 overs, Mike Kyriacou 0 for 26 off 7,Sampath(Lions CC)1 for 43 off 6, Chris Markides 1 for 33 off 7, Sampath(Sri Lankan CC)1 for 31 off 4, Richard Cox 0 for 26 off 3, Vishnu 1 for 4 off 5 balls.

If this is any indication of quality of games we can expect from the Cyprus cricket team then roll on the next game. Which is incidentally, next Sunday, Oct 16th at Happy Valley when the Cyprus XI take on the UK touring team Barkby United.

 

 

see team batting and bowling statistics