INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL WORLD CRICKET LEAGUE
DIVISION 6
JERSEY, UNITED KINGDOM
19TH – 29TH JULY 2013
BY OLISA EGWUATU (TEAM MANAGER)
Nigeria vs Kuwait
Venue: Grainville, ST Savious Jersey
Date: Monday 22″d July 2013
Toss: Won by Kuwait
Match Type: 50 overs
Result: Nigeria won by 111 Runs
Umpires: MB Gray, DN Subedi
3rd Umpires: MA Din
Referee: DT Jukes
Scores: KC Nisbet, EC. Rawson
Weather: Sunny
Nigeria on cruise control with a comprehensive victory
Nigeria make a loud and bold statement
Nigeria’s thumping defeat of Kuwait threw open the tournament, confounded critics, astounded the pundits, changed the equations and completely overturned permutations.
Nigeria is now the new kid on the block and serious favourites from being dark horses. Everybody in the Nigerian camp was now firmly convinced that we can and should go all The way. We now believed that we have the game and the style to win the tournament. What we thought was a probability has now become a very very strong possibility. The victory shot us to the top of the log with a healthy net run rate. Kuwait won the toss and put us in to bat. kuwait felt very confident after having defeated Nigeria in Their last 3 meetings.
Kuwait justified Their decision to field as their opening pair of Mohammed Ashan and Sajid Manzil mesmerized the Nigerian top order.
They swung and seamed the ball and had Nigeria on the ropes at 3 wickets for 26 runs in 21 overs. Onikoyi again failed with the bat completely miscuing a shot. His shot selection was very poor as he was caught and bowled by Muhammed Ghulam. Segun Olayinka went cheaply, caught on the fence and Okwudili was caught at mid-on.
Batsman / wicket keeper yashpal ‘Ricky’ Sharma and Dotun Olatunji embarked on a partnership that steadied the ship. The pair survived some testing bowling, weathered the storm and slowly repaired our innings. They played responsibly and professionally. By the time Olatunji was dismissed Nigeria was on 150. Olatunji cut, pulled, hooked and drove his way to a handsome 66 runs off only 65 balls with 2 sixes and 7 fours. He was well on his way to a century but fell to a poor umpire’s LBW decision. His partner Ricky Sharma fell almost immediately but not after he had swept his way to 47 runs off 187 balls. His main run-getting stroke was the sweep which he executed perfectly consistently. At 158 for 5, our inning needed a shot in the arm and Captain Kunle Adegbola provided it with a quick but steady 44 runs off 39 balls. He was again ably supported by Leke Oyede with a needful 19 runs. The unbeaten pair of Osita Onwuzulike (17) runs and Saheed Akolade (12) runs added 30 runs in 3 overs to put finishing touches to a fine Nigerian innings.
Nigeria scored 269 runs for 9 in 50 overs. We faced 301 balls, scored 23 fours, 3 sixes in 217 minutes. Our total was bolstered by a generous Kuwaiti donation of 30 extras.
Kuwait began their chase by 3.16pm and quickly were on the back foot. Oluseye Olypmpio again gave us an early breakthrough. 14 runs for 2 wickets soon became 32 for 3. The catching of Ademola Olukoyi and Dotun Olatunji was becoming highly skillful and competent and our Slip catching was of the highest class. The keeper and slips missed nothing. From 3 for 32 Kuwait further collapsed to 6 for 75 and staring defeat in the face. The bowling pair of Adegbola and Olympio were doing all the damage. Hisham Mirza stood alone amidst the ruins of the Kuwaiti batting innings.
He was the ninth man out for 150 and when Mohammed Ahsan was run out by Onwuzulike Kuwait has been dismissed for 152 runs all out in 40.2 overs. A powerful Kuwait side was reduced to rubble by a brilliant Nigeria side. Our total of 269 runs was the highest in the tournament so far.
Man of The match
Captain Kunle Adesbola was the official man of the match with his fine all-round performance of 4 wickets in 8.2 overs and conceding 24 runs with 1 maiden. His batting again shone brilliantly with 44 runs in 39 balls.
Fielding – Adegbola effected one run-out of the dangerous Muhammed Amin.
Personal Verdict. To join Adegbola on the Podium as Men of the match are Yasphal Ricky Sharma and Dotun Olatunji who played Nigeria out of trouble with a calm, steady and sensible batting display. Their partnership was worth 124 runs.
