HONG KONG SWAMP MALAYSIA
Hong Kong's captain Neisha Pratt led from the front as her team beat home-side Malaysia by 114 runs in the second match of the Inaugural ACC Women's Tournament at the Johor Cricket Academy.
Pratt made a thumping, chanceless, 71 off 77 deliveries with three 4s and two 6s. She played some powerful strokes, hitting on the up and it was only the introduction of Malaysia's slow bowlers that slowed her down. After fifteen overs with Pratt going strong, Hong Kong were on 86 for 1 and looking to sail past their pre-match target of 150. In the last fifteen overs however, they only managed a further 57 as the batsmen were tied down by bowling that didn't quite ever lose its discipline, though the umpires were rather lenient on a number of leg-side deliveries.
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In reply to Hong Kong's 143, Malaysia played as if for a draw. Mahani Ayar was run out without facing a delivery and her opening partner Emylia Eliani took 36 deliveries for her 5 only to be underwhelmed by Norlida Hamid who made 0 after 45 deliveries. There was the suspicion of an inside-edge once or twice from Hamid, but the umpires awarded leg-byes each time. About 30 deliveries were played back to the bowler. Patiently. The crowd was finally put out of Hamid's misery when Kaori Iida clipped her off-stump.
Of Malaysia's 29 runs in their 29.5 overs, 14 were from extras.
A local ESPN crew came by to film some of the action, hoping to showcase Malaysia's new stars, particularly as the press had been told by Malaysia's manager the previous night that "Malaysia had every chance of winning (this) tournament." Hong Kong, skilful, forceful and charismatic and with players whooping and yelping at every imagined or tangible success were by far the better televisual performers.
ESPN promised to be back for the final in which it already looks as if Hong Kong will feature.
ACC Women's Tournament
Malaysia v Hong Kong, Johor Cricket Academy
July 11, 2007
HONG KONG WON BY 114 RUNS
Malaysia won the toss and elected to field
Hong Kong: 143 for 4 off 30 overs (N. Pratt 71)
Malaysia: 29 off 29.5 overs (N. Pratt 4-4)
Scorecard
Filed July 11 2007
