Saturday’s cricket match wasn’t just another league game. Malta cricket paid tribute to its finest all rounder Michael Caruana. It was to be his last match for Marauders CC and last game at the Marsa Cricket Ground, as he will be emigrating to Australia in the next few days.

The morning started off with presentations to Michael from the Malta Cricket Association, the Marsa Cricket Club and the Marauders CC in appreciation for his dedication to cricket in Malta and among other things, overseeing the development of youth cricket in Malta.After a few short speeches from the Chairman and team captains the Summer League match between Melita CC and Marauders CC got underway.

Melita captain Frank Spiteri won the toss and asked the Marauders to bat first. Phil Gibbs (11 ret.) and Ed Manning (7) dominated a solid opening spell. Gibbs had one of his better innings and retired after 30 balls faced and Ed Manning was eventually out caught to a brilliant running catch by A Naudi.

But that’s when the Melita bowlers (Joe Gartner, Mack Towers, Joy Ghoseroy and Andy Naudi) showed their worth and produced one of the best spells of bowling during this summer league. They bowled 17 overs between them, took 5 wickets and only 47 runs were conceded.

Batsmen P Bradley (27 ret.) and D Arnold (27 ret.) played attacking strokes towards the end of their innings to give the Marauders a defendable 135 runs. Melita CC used 7 bowlers – the best being A Naudi (3 wickets for 7 runs).

Melita changed their opening partners once again for this run chase. John Grima and Jack Barritt quickly found that the Marauders had their own strong bowling attack! Ed Manning revenged the boundary Barritt scored by pinning him LBW for 6 runs and from the other end D Marks clean bowled Grima for 5.

Melita soon found themselves 28/3 after young Luke Bradley caught Mack Towers (5) at covers. This brought skipper Frank Spiteri (28) to the crease and together with Michael John Grima (17) they put on a 35 run partnership.

Both Spiteri and M J Grima fell to Michael Caruana – these being his last two wickets for the Marauders CC. Batting at No 7 & No 8 respectively, Andy Naudi (43 n.o) and Joy Ghoseroy (25 n.o) passed the Marauders score with 2.4 overs left.Although at a glance the result looks like a comfortable win for Melita CC, the Marauders on the day produced one of their best attacking and fielding sides this summer and with just another wicket it could have been a different result altogether. Best bowlers for Marauders were D. Marks 3/14 and M Caruana 2/45.

After the match presentations, a small reception was held together with Michael Caruana and his team mates. All those present shared in a farewell drink and toast.

On behalf of all at Malta Cricket we wish Michael Caruana and his family the best of luck for their future in Australia.

Scorer: Eric Balakrishna Man of the Match: A Naudi – 3/14 and 43 runs off 30 balls

The Marsa Cricket Summer League will continue over the forthcoming weekends and the fixtures will be announced once the heat wave has subsided!

Match Summary: Saturday 1st August 2015 – Summer League Match: Marauders CC 135 for 6 (P Bradley 27, D Arnold 27; A Naudi 3-7) lost to Melita CC 138 for 6 (A Naudi 43, f Spiteri 28; A Naudi 2-16; D Marks 3-14) by 4 wkts.

Report: John Grima

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