Selangor thrashed Penang by an Innings and 17 runs in the MCA Premier League match held at Royal Selangor Club, Bukit Kiara. In another match played at Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar, Mantin host Negeri Sembilan lost to Perak by a virtue of 130 runs.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Penang 's grand desire fell flat after they lost their first wicket in the 3 rd over. Skipper Suresh Navaratnam was destructive with the ball as he bagged 5 wickets only conceding 21 runs. Penang were in a pathetic 4 wickets lost for 12 runs, Darvin and Tom Caines (15) were shaping well to build the innings for Penang . Melvinder found the edge of Darvin, who ended up in the hands of Rakesh Madhavan, took a very low and clean catch. B.Indran(3/10) and Suresh ran through the tail rapped up Penang for a mere 44 runs in 24 overs. Penang was back in the field to bowl before lunch! It was a merry to see a bunch of young Selangor supporters with band, whistle, cheering each and every moment of their seniors. They enjoyed the day out in the field and did get the feast from the seniors.
Ambitious Selangor began cautiously and put up 50 for the first wicket before flamboyant Rakesh Madhavan (29) fell leg before to Darwin and Suhan Kumar (20) followed. Indian Import Muthuraman (29) and Suresh Navaratnam (55 runs (54 balls, 8x4, 1x6) were with clear mindset to put up a quick big total. Suresh Navaratnam played some excellent shots all around the wicket where else Left handed Muthuraman was happy rotating the strike to Suresh and played some fluent drives. Muthuraman perished trying for an over ambitious hoist over the top, was totally beaten by the flight off Tom Caines and skipper Timothy Lamb did a lightning stumping. Indian import Shahul rise according to the situation put up a very quick and required 27 runs off 27 balls with 2x4 & 2x6. Selangor Declared their innings with a lead of 139. Tom Caines and Darvin claimed two wickets apiece.
Penang had 90 minutes of play to bat off the day. Skipper Suresh might have thought run over again to finish the proceedings on the very same day. Openers Avtar Singh and Wasim were determined and put their head down, unlike in their first innings. Penang were 66 no loss at stumps. Desperate Selangor tried 7 of their bowlers and all the tricks but in vain. Selangor were sloppy and dropped a few catches in the session.
Penang hoping to save the match started off losing Avtar Sing in the third ball of the very first over of Suresh Navaratnam. The ball from outside off stumps zip through the gates of Avtar Singh(23) had no clue. Suresh struck again in successive over's in a very similar fashion sending back Wasim who made a well compiled 40 and Tom Caines for nought. Darvin (21) and Timothy Lamb (12) played sensibly took Penang to 100 on the board. Suresh put B.Indran into attack dropped a return catch off Timothy. B.Indran came back to the game removing Skipper Timothy with a slower one who dragged the ball back to the stumps. However after the dismissal of Timothy left, the rest of the batsmen surrendered meekly to B.Indran (4/28) and Sheik Rohan (3/16) who finish up the winning process for Selangor. Penang was all out for 122 in 53.5 overs.
Scores in brief
Penang first innings 44 all out in 24 overs (Tom Caines - 15, Suresh 5/21, B.Indran 3/10, Melvinder 1/12)
Selangor first innings 183/5 declared in 42 overs ( Rakesh Madhavan - 29, Suhan Kumar - 20, Muthuraman - 29, Suresh Navaratnam - 55, Shahul - 27, Tom Caines - 2/51, Darvin 2/62)
Penang second innings 122 all out in 53.5 overs (Wasim - 40, Avtar Singh - 23, Darvin - 21, Suresh 3/30, B.Indran - 4/28, Sheik Rohan - 3/16)
Selangor won by an Innings and 17 runs.

Muniandy bowls Perak to Big win over Host Negeri Sembilan

Fast bowler and captain Muniandy took 8 wickets for 40 runs to bowl Perak to a 130 runs victory over Negeri Sembilan at KTJ, Mantin. Muniandy finished a match haul of 15 wickets for 64 runs. Winning the toss and batting first Perak posted a modest 156 all out in 70 overs. Sri Lankan import and coach Priyankara remained unbeated on 56, Meeran (22) and Raymond Sam (23) contributed to Perak Total. Desmond Pragasam (5/43) and Mazrul (3/29) played a vital role with the ball to restrict Perak innings to 156. Fast bowler Muniandy (7/24) and Pakistani import Jaffar (3/17) were too good for Negeri Sembilan to resist were bundled for a mere 98 in their first innings. Only Mazrul (30) came good in terms with the bat. Perak began fireworks finished 171/6 declared in just 32.1 overs in their second innings. Jaffars (37), Muniandy (36), Meeran (21), Satiaseelan (24) and Manrick Singh (22) were their main contributors. Muniandy (8/40) proved better in the second innings literally ran through the Negeri Sembilan batsmen, packed up for a mere 106 allout in 44 overs clinching victory for Perak. Govinda Rajoo claimed 1 wicket for 4 runs. Harbinder Singh (27), Mazrul (18), Suresh Sakadivan (16) and Poon (16) chipped in for Negeri Sembilan but couldn't save the match for the host. Scores in Brief Perak first innings 156 all out in 70 overs (Priyankara 56 not out, Raymond Sam - 23, Meeran -22, Desmond -5/43, Mazrul - 3/29) Negeri Sembilan first innings 98 all out in 42 overs (Mazrul - 30, Suresh Sakadivan - 14, Muniandy - 7/24, Jaffar - 3/17) Perak second innings 171/6 declared in 32.1 overs (Jaffars (37), Muniandy (36), Meeran (21), Satiaseelan (24) and Manrick Singh (22)) Negeri Sembilan second innings 106 all out in 44 overs (Harbinder Singh (27), Mazrul (18), Suresh Sakadivan (16), Poon (16), Muniandy -8/40, Govinda Rajoo - 1 for 4 runs) Perak won the match by 130 runs. The interesting fact about the next weeks schedule is the winners of both match today will be clashing at Ipoh while the losers in KTJ Mantin. Next Weeks matches Perak vs Selangor at Ipoh - 23 & 24 April 2005 (Match Starts at 10:20 am) Negeri Sembilan vs Penang at KTJ, Mantin - 23 & 24 April 2005 (Match Starts at 10:20 am)