Cricket in the Newfoundland fog

The Eastern Canadian Cricket Championships got underway on Friday in St. John’s with four matches. Hosts Newfoundland and Labrador battled New Brunswick in the early game in classic St. John’s weather of rain, drizzle and fog. The home team got off to a great start batting first thanks to a big partnership of between Rahul Vashishtha and Gurman Khurana. Khurana was out in the last over for 79, but Vashishtha batted through to the end for 100* from 56 balls with 10 fours and 6 sixes.

New Brunswick made a good start in reply, and looked well in the game after 10 overs but tight bowling from NL saw them fall behind the run rate, and NL ran out the winners by 63 runs. Anmol Zakhmi top scored with 60.

The weather improved for the second match as Nova Scotia played PEI. Nova Scotia put up a big total of 209/3 thanks to 91 from Amit Joshi, well supported by 49 from Dinesh Gaddam. PEI put up a spirited fight but fell short by 28 runs. Umang Ramani top scored with 49.

In game 3 NL took on last year’s champions, Quebec. NL batted first and made 127, with Rahul Vashisht again top scoring with 51, and Shani Khan contributing a quick 20. Malinga Wijethilaka led the bowlers with 3/24. Quebec knocked off the runs for the loss of two wickets, thanks to an excellent partnership of 93 between Shayan Ahmed and Pooran Ramkisson.

Rain hit the final match as Nova Scotia played New Brunswick. Nova Scotia made 157 in 16 overs, with Arslan Khan top-scoring with 35, and New Brunswick’s reply was cut short after just 6 overs, with them 52/3, leaving Nova Scotia winners by 11 runs (D/L).

Tomorrow’s matches feature Nova Scotia v Quebec at 8 am, NB v PEI at 11, NL v NS at 2, and PEI-Quebec at 5pm. Short scores
Game 1: Newfoundland and Labrador beat NB by 63 runs
Game 2: Nova Scotia beat PEI by 28 runs
Game 3: Quebec beat Newfoundland and Labrador by 8 wickets
Game 4: Nova Scotia beat New Brunswick by 11 runs (D/L)

Video

NL v NB

NS v PEI

NL v Que

NS-NB