Last over victory for the Rest of the World

The Croatian selection cracked under pressure as Richard Probst and Vivek Sharma hit 22 runs off the final 2 overs to see the Rest of the World side take, what was looking at times an unlikely victory in the opening match of the three match series in Zagreb on Saturday.

Croatian skipper Jasen Butković won the toss and elected to bat first on a warm day in the Trnje dome. Pero Bošnjak and Craig Sinovich got the Croats off to a solid start with runs coming regularly throughout the pairs 6 overs. Keeping wickets intact the two put on 40 for the opening stand.

Butković was next in with Krešo Kekez and for the first time in Croatian cricket indoor history, a runner had to be used after Butković strained the last reamining muscle in his body that had not been strained. Hampered by the groin strain, Butković could only swing the bat as the Rest of the World side pegged the run rate back and only conceeded 11 runs from the pairs 6 overs.

Robert Mihaljević and Paul Mušin were last in and managed to put on 24 as the Rest of the World side bowled tight lines. The partnership meant the Croats set the Rest of the World a respectable target of 75.

Daniel George and Vjeko began the chase for the Rest of the World side but they were kept in check by some good bowling. Never really getting going the pair managed to put on 14 from their 6 overs.

Tom Paske and Ibad Faruqui were next in and began to inject a bit of momentum into the run chase. Some cracking straight hits from Paske and steady batting from Faruqui saw the pair take the total to 34.

Still needing 42 to win, Sharma and Probst were the final pair in and after a quiet start the Croats were odds on favourites. That was until the two let loose with some big shots down the ground. Needing 19 off two overs the Rest of the World needed a big over and they got it when the pair took 15 off the penultimate over. The Croatians could not capitilise on chances in the final over and the Rest of the World side managed to get home by 4 runs and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Player of the Series: (1 run = 1 point, 1 wicket = 5 points)

1. Richard Probst 25
2. Craig Sinovich 23
3. Paul Mušin / Pero Bošnjak 18
4. Vivek Sharma 16
5. Tom Paske 13