After winning the toss, Kent MCC captain Shibu K. Pillai decided to make use of a good batting track against one of the best bowling sides led by Sunny Janardanan.

Openers Balagopal and Anand gave a perfect start by putting 68 runs from 9 overs on the board. The pair became a nightmare for the opposition opening bowlers when they hammered and belted them to the boundary.

Finally, Dheeraj from the opposition stopped the steady flow of runs by removing Balagopal (32) and Anand (46). Dheeraj also removed two other top order batsmen for low scores and swung the match in favour of KCWA Croydon. When runs began to dry up and wickets began falling Dr Sabu Jacob helped to steady the innings by holding fort by seeing off the overs of Dheeraj and Sunny. When Sabu was out the score was 134 for 7 wickets.

However, after the fall of Dr Sabu, indomitable Shibu stepped in and stamped his authority over the proceedings with a high quality 44 not out that took the game away from KCWA Croydon. Santhosh D Jacob became a perfect foil for Shibu by running singles and keeping the run rate ticking. Shibu and Santhosh (28 not out) helped Kent MCC to post a challenging 218 for seven in the allotted 35 overs. In reply KCWA Croydon played confidently by keeping the run rate steady but Kent MCC managed to take wickets at regular intervals.

Finally, it came to the end when KCWA Croydon needed four runs for victory from the last over with two wickets remaining. The last over was bowled by Dr Gopal. In his first ball when the batsman tried for a single he was run out. Now KCWA needed four runs from five balls. Dr Gopal managed to bowl three dot balls in a row and in his fifth ball the batsman scored a double to make the needed runs to two runs from the last ball. In the final ball the last batsman was also run out. That was the end for KCWA Croydon. Shibu K. Pillai was adjudged the man of the match for the finals.

The tournament, held at the Barkingside Recreation Grounds, had for the first time eight teams participating in it. No other event has brought together so many Malayalees living in different parts of the United Kingdom.

The winners of the tournament will receive a team trophy and individual prize, runners up and man of the match will receive individual prizes. The prize distribution will take place at the MAUKT Onam celebrations on Sunday 7th September 2pm at East Ham Town Hall, Barking Road East Ham London E6 2RP.

Unfortunate incident

The game had to be stopped for one hour when Dr Jayaram fractured his ankle. Dr Jayaram, while trying to save a four on the boundary ropes with his leg, twisted his ankle. The ambulance did not turn up even after 30 minutes. Finally, Kent MCC players went to the police station nearby and asked for help.

The ambulance did not turn up even then. Dr Jayaram was lying on the ground reeling in pain. During all this time the doctors in the Kent MCC team, Dr Gopal, Dr Tanoj, Dr Sabu provided the first aid and kept Dr Jayaram calm. Finally after one hour of wait, because the ambulance did not turn up, Dr Jayaram was taken to the hospital in a car.

Lilly Davis Pulikoden, a fan and supporter of the Kent MCC team, who had turned up to view the finals, travelled with Dr Jayaram to the hospital providing him with emotional support. Dr Jayaram, while leaving for the hospital was showing the V sign and was asking the team to fight on.

Reverend’s arrival

A reverend arrived at the place where Dr Jayaram was lying in pain. He introduced himself as a reverend and a counsellor. He was trying to relieve Jayaram of his pain by talking to him and consoling him. No one took him seriously and was taking him lightly. That was when Shibu asked him whether Kent MCC would win the match.

The reverend asked Shibu to remove his cap and then he drew a cross on Shibu’s forehead and said that Kent MCC will win. It turned out to be true. The myth is that no one saw or thought about the reverend after the incident. Is he a reverend or?

The Kent MCC team

Sibi Jacob: IT Graduate. Number three batsman from Thrissur. Has played for Thrissur district and Kerala team. A reliable right hand batsman and vice-captain of Kent MCC.
Shibu K Pillai: IT graduate. Captian of Kent MCC. Has played for EEM, Kent, Hempstead Valley Cricket Club, Borden Cricket Club, CMCC Croydon. From Trivandrum plays lower down the order to hold the innings together. Good all-rounder.
Balagopal: Works as Housing Advice and Homelessness Officer for Medway Council, Kent. From Trivandrum right hand opening batsman and a good part time bowler. Has played for Times Of Oman, Sporting Star Cricket Club, Sunny Cricket Club, Trivandrum.
Dipu K. Pillai: Works as operations manager for City Link Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Vice-captain of Borden Cricket Club, Kent. Very reliable slow right hand off spin bowler.
Dr Tanoj: Registrar in Neo natalogy at Medway Maritime Hospital. Plays for Sherwood Cricket Club, Kent. From Thrissur a good all-rounder and a team motivator.
Anand: Electronics Engineer. Played for Ernakulam district and Kerala team. Opening batsman and wicket keeper from Ernakulam. A steady opening batsman.
Mahesh: Undergraduate student from Trivandrum. A good allrounder and good hitter of the ball.
Dr Jayaram: Psychiatrist at Medway Maritime Hospital, Kent. Good middle order batsman from Thrissur.
Santhosh D Jacob: Good all-rounder and an excellent fielder. Has played for Aleppey district team.
Dr Anish Mohammed: IT Security expert from Kayamkulam. Has played for Trivandrum Medical College.
Dencil Davis: School student and youngest member of the team. A good fielder and occasional leg break bowler.
Saji Jacob: Substitute wicket-keeper and a good team man. From Pandalam.
Robin J: Good lower order batsman and a team man. From Cherthala.
Dr Favas Thaivalappil: Works for Medway Maritime Hospital. From Kannur. An excellent middle order batsman and hard hitter of the ball.
Dr Gopalakrishnan: Consultant Urologist at King Georges Hospital East London. From Trivandrum. Good opening bowler.
Dr Sabu Jacob: Consultant Vascular Surgeon at King Georges Hospital, East London. Good Middle order batsman and a part time bowler.
Sterlin Edward: Marketing manager. Good allrounder from Kollam.

Score: Kent MCC: 218 for 7 in 35 overs. Anand 46, Balagopal 32, Shibu 44*, Santhosh 28*. KCWA Croydon: 217 all out in 35 overs. Manilal 64, Manu 28, Sunil 26.