2013 KATICH CUP: Falcons Win Last Over Thriller

 The Falcons took a 2-1 lead in the 2013 KATICH CUP on Saturday with a nailbitting last over 4-run victory over the Hawks in Zagreb on Saturday.

Hawks captain Douglas Kennedy won the toss and decided to bat first, and it proved to be a good move as his batsmen started piling on the runs. The ever consistent Akshay Daxini was again in the runs, top scoring for the Hawks together with the powerful Krešo Kekez. Solid contributions from Lokesh Thondavada, captain Kennedy, and debutant Paul Stubbs guided the Hawks to a formidable total of 106 from their allotted 21 overs.

The Falcons needed to start strong and they did thanks to the "Chief", who on debut it would be fair to say dominated the opening partnership, scoring 18 in an 18-run stand. The Hawks began turning the screws in the middle overs, taking wickets at regular intervals and looking like firm favourites when they had the Falcons at only 39 after 10 overs. A 42-run partnership between Jasen Butković and Falcons captain Paul Mušin swung the game back in the Falcons favour, before young Goran Kellett played a vital role at the end with a well played 10 to see the Falcons home in the last over.

Losing captain Kennedy, who could face disciplinary action this week for umpire disent, slow over-rate, and for wearing a helmet, made no bones about where the blame lied for the close loss.
"I blame myself for the loss, tactically I got it wrong today. I was not happy with my bowling either," said a dejected Kennedy over a dark lager after the match.

With today's victory the Falcons have stretched out to 4/6 favourites with the bookies to take out the series.
 
Hawks 106 (A.Daxini 14, K.Kekez 14, D.Kennedy 13, P. Stubbs 9, M.Mance 8, P. Mušin 2-14, T. Tabain 2-15 G. Kellett 2-20)

Falcons 110 (J. Butković 20, Chief 18, P.Mušin 13, L. Anderson 12, G. Kellett 10, L. Thondavada 2-13, D. Kellett 2-18, A. Daxini 2-19)

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

1. Akshay Daxini 70
2. Paul Mušin 65
3. Krešo Kekez 53
4. Lokesh Thondavada 52
5. Doug Kennedy 42
6. Gus van Rensburg 37
7. Jasen Butković 35
8. Tonko Tabain 31
9. Mike Maric 28
10. Marko Mance 26
11. Goran Kellett 20
12. Dario Kellett 17
13. Lloyd Anderson 13
13. Julian Goodman 13
14. Paul Stubbs 9
15. Šime Ivančević 8
16. Dominic Čičak 8
17. Rob Kaguz 7
18. Pero Bošnjak (wk) 5
19. Vedran Žanko 0
20. Ivan Bundera -9
21. Ibad Faraqui -9
22. Luka Papa-Stubbs -17