England: Australia (University of New South Wales) and South Africa (Assupol TUKS) topped their groups comfortably with 100 per cent records in Red Bull Campus Cricket 2014. They progress to the World Finals at The Oval on Saturday along with India (Rizvi College) and West Indies (Jamaica Intercollegiate).
In the first game of the day, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were playing for pride at Aston Rowant Cricket Club in Group 1. Karachi University won the toss and put ICBT Campus in to bat. The Pakistani star bowler Mir Hamza took centre stage again with a spell of 3 for 19. Hamza ends his tournament with 7 wickets. The Sir Lankans crawled their way to 114/8, almost single handedly propped up by VIT Madhushan’s 43 off 42 balls. Pakistan couldn’t put on a single partnership despite a half-century from opener Haris Ali. That was thanks to a four wicket haul from Parussalla Chinthaka. His 4 for 29 meant Sri Lanka could defend their total despite a last minute charge from Pakistan. A one run win for Sri Lanka helped secure their first points of the tournament while Karachi University who were finalists in 2013 go home with nothing to show for their effort despite taking every single match they’ve played down to the last ball.
Another side playing for pride was England’s Leeds/Bradford MCCU who took on a Bangladesh side still in with a shot at the semis. Batting first, Leeds/Bradford MCCU piled on the runs, scoring 189 for 5 powered by a cameo of 40 from 22 balls by Liam Watkinson while Chris Wakefield top scored with 49 off 40. Bangladesh knew that chasing down that target would almost surely put them in the finals, but they never even got close. Izal Khan’s 34 was the only double digit score as Bangladesh collapsed to 69 all out. The batting performance was in contrast to their showing on Day 2 when they beat Jamaica Intercollegiate to give themselves some hope. Instead, the University of Liberal Arts handed England a bonus point win. For the host team though, it wasn’t enough, even if West Indies failed to add to their tally of five points due to the head-to-head rule.
South Africa continued their steam rolling of the opposition with a comprehensive win over fellow semifinalists West Indies. The Jamaica Intercollegiate were pounded by the Assupol TUKS who picked up another bonus point to finish the group stage with 14 points. South African Aiden Markram had a great outing with both bat and ball. His knock of 76 of 56 balls took South Africa to a strong 178 for 5 and then took 3 for 12 as the West Indians crumbled from 74 for 2 to 122 all out.
The 56 run means that the boys from Pretoria head to finals day at the Kia Oval as firm favourites.
The final game of the day was also a match that was between two pre-decided semifinalists. India and Australia played out a humdinger at the Aston Rowant Cricket Ground as the Aussies stoutly defended a paltry total of 110. Prasad Patil’s 3 for 19 helped India restrict the University of New South Wales. Rizvi College seemed to be coasting to a win when they were at 86 for 3 in the 16th over. However, a burst of three wickets from Tom Rogers for 18 runs thwarted Indian hopes. The team from Mumbai eventually finished three runs short and the University of New South Wales deservedly topped the group.
As the semifinalists now head to the Kia Oval, all eight teams will take with them memories of the Home Counties and some intense cricket games. For Australia, India, West Indies and South Africa, glory beckons while for the vanquished, it’s time to prepare for Red Bull Campus Cricket 2015.