By Terry Coffey
American Cricket Champions League
In July, the Washington Metropolitan Cricket Board seemed to have little chance of winning the Mid-Atlantic Division and making it to the ACF National Championship Tournament. Washington opened the season with a comprehensive loss to Philadelphia, scoring a meager 110 runs in the process.
Philadelphia, on the other hand, opened the season by tearing through opponent after opponent, and building what appeared to be an insurmountable lead.
Since then, though, in true Hollywood underdog fashion, Washington has been on a tear, taking inspiration from the loss and winning four straight matches while never scoring below 190. The hot streak gave WMCB a shot at making it to the national championship tournament, but entering this weekend’s play they needed a win against Mid Atlantic Cricket Conference, plus a loss or tie by Philadelphia, which was playing in New Jersey.
MACC won the toss and decided to send WMCB in to bat, despite Washington’s recent good form with the bat. They immediately regretted the move, as Washington compiled 139-1 after 20 overs, thanks mostly to as Vishal Khatri and Ash Gairola built a partnership of 116 off of 136 balls. Khatri did most of the damage, scoring 94 from 98 balls before falling in the 35th over.
Although Washington only scored 22 more runs after Khatri’s departure, the damage had been done and Washington had yet another 200-plus score, finishing 253 all out. MACC did take some consolation in dismissing Washington in 38.3 overs, leaving some unused deliveries. M Pasha was the pick of the MACC bowlers, taking 3-43 in eight overs of work.
Mid-Atlantic’s openers strode to the crease with their work cut out for them, as WMCC’s total was higher than any MACC total this season. While Mid-Atlantic navigated the first 20 overs fairly well, losing only one wicket, they were 38 runs behind WMCB at that point, and could never muster the runs to catch up.
The stiffest resistance came from Divyesh Patel and Manjot Singh, who scored 28 and 39, respectively. Only one other batsman reached the 20-run plateau, however, and in the end WMCB’s bowlers sent MACC to the showers having given up 192 in 37.3 overs for a 62-run win and the Mid-Atlantic Division championship!
Richardson Sacrais did the damage for WMCC, taking 5-44 as he decimated MACC’s middle order.
Washington now advances to the national championship tournament, along with the other three division winners, Florida, Arizona and Midwest Cricket Tournament.
