After months of waiting the JSCC SK AUTOMOTIVE TENNIS BALL TOURNAMENT was won by Team ” Tuskers”, who are part of the Kairali Thunders Penrith. Rahul Jose for “Tuskers” hit the winning runs by lifting the last ball of the penultimate over into the square leg fence. In the process he reached his fifty, which was compiled patiently under pressure.
The tournament was conducted by Jordan Springs Cricket Club and this was their first foray into seniors tennis ball cricket. The tournament was based on league format. All the teams had to play 8 matches and “Tuskers”stormed into the finals defending 70 runs. Jobish Mathew’s allround display helped “Tuskers” win the semi finals.In the finals the “Tigers” struggled against the bowling attack of “Tuskers” led by Sijo Sebastian who snared two wickets. Jobish Mathew, Vishnu Manchady also took two wickets each and captain Joy Jacob snared one with his golden arm.
Captain Joy dedicated this win to all the people who had supported the team during all these months and said he was proud of the way the “Tuskers” responded to every challenge throughout the tournament. He also dedicated this win to all the health workers who had been in the frontline to fight Covid.
Sijo Sebastian of “Tuskers” who had announced his retirement from cricket before the tournament, came out of retirement to play this tournament. His late outswingers and dippers foxed many batsmen and Sijo was the highest wicket taker in the tournament with 20 wickets. Mahesh Panicker spread the net behind the stumps to snare 20 catches and 1 stumping . Captain Joy Jacob led the “Tuskers” from the front on more than many occasions and his leadership attributes were commended by one and all. President Shine Murali of Kairali Thunders Penrith congratulated the team on their wonderful win and assured the team of further support for their journey ahead.
Mahesh Panicker, Jordan Springs
