Champions CC were crowned the Champions of TCC Taped Ball Spring 2021 Professional League for the 2nd consecutive year. On Jul 10th 2021, Champions CC defeated SLCC II playing their first TCC tournament by a margin of 75 runs to claim their second Professional Tournament title which is a once in a year championship for Division II teams.
It was a rainy week with speculations that the final might be rescheduled. SLCC II elected to bowl due to the skiddy pitch after the rains and heavy grassy outfield. Arslan had been in prolific form, starting with 6 off the first ball of the game and ended the first over with another 6. The aggressive batting continued despite Sisindu’s 2 quick wickets with Arslan scoring 2 fours and a six in the next 2 overs before getting out for 35 of 22. At 47/3 in 6 overs, SLCC II looked like they were back in the game. But Humza who started cautiously quickly changed the gear hitting 3 big sixes before he was caught off Thushara’s bowling for 34 of 26 . Waseem with all his experience guided the innings from thereon with 21 of 20 with useful partnerships with Azhar, ( playing with a broken finger), Khizar and Faraz. Sisindu got 2 wkts in the 18th over giving away just 2 runs and restricted but the last 2 over flourish of 23 runs got Champions CC to a safe score of 148. Sisindu got 5 for 21 and was supported by Thushara with 2 for 20 and Thusitha and Tharindu with a wicket apiece.
This score on a normal trim outfield would have looked like 170. Historically Champions CC bowling has defended very low totals, hence were confident with the target set. SLCC II were dependent on Lahiru, centurion from semis, the captain Sachith and Thushara to get them home.
Faraz & Gohar bowled near perfect lengths making it unplayable out there and finished their first spells with a wicket apiece. Lahiru holed out to the lone man on square leg boundary in the 3rd over. The pressure of chasing a good score got to SLCC II who tried to run aggressively but lost 2 wkts to brilliant pieces of fielding from Arslan (direct hit) & Saqib. Khizar, Arslan, Waseem and Saif hardly bowled a loose ball, always keeping it outside off stump and retaining the pressure. Sisindu also got caught on the boundary trying to up the score to a good catch by Humza. Very soon SLCC II were 19 for 7 in 8 overs, pretty much out of the contest. Waseem continued his bowling form from earlier games troubled every batsman and was unplayable. Umesh showed some resistance scoring an unbeaten 31 while Humza got 2 quick wkts at the other end with his steady outswingers. Syed kept well in slippery conditions and ended with 3 good catches and a stumping. Faraz came back and finished off what looked like a formality.
The game was followed by a well-organized presentation ceremony hosted by Jagadish Biradar of TCC. Dinesh from Gladiators was thanked for his voluntary contribution in scheduling the tournament. Umpires Swaroop and Adnan were presented with umpiring medals. Syed Mohiaddin, captain of Champions CC was awarded the championship trophy and Sachith, captain of SLCC II was awarded the runners up trophy. Humza was awarded the MVP of final for his 34 runs, 2 wkts and 1 catch.
Tournament awards were also presented during the presentation ceremony. Arslan from Champions CC won the award for the MVP of the tournament. Shirak from SLL was the best batsman with 239 runs, the best bowler with 12 wickets and the best All-rounder too. Ziju Sajan from Houston Arrows was the best wicketkeeper with 24 catches. Special award for centuries were presented to Arslan from Champions CC and Lahiru from SLCC II. Special award for Hat tricks were presented to Umar from Champions CC, Harsh from Martians, Umesh from SLCC II and Gopi Chand from Masters. Special award was given to Shirak from SLL for 6 sixes in 6 balls Online score card is at https://www.cricclubs.com/3T/viewScorecard.do?matchId=776&clubId=8675 and You tube video is at https://youtu.be/tgsupPD4-Q4
Winners Champions CC are as below
Runners up SLCC II are as below
