Jakarta CA Final lives up to expectations
Tony Munro - 19 February 1999

The Jakarta Cricket Association Grand Final more than matched its controversial off-field build-up, with the game between Ceylon C.C. and Indorama finishing in a tie. Randy Reckerman reports:

Sent into bat on a damp wicket Ceylon made steady progress to be 63-2 at "drinks-1" (12 overs) and 135/5 at "drinks-2" (24 overs). Openers Rob Threlfall (16) and Gaurav Kapoor (20) combined well with Ray Shakespeare (a captain's knock of 51) and a total of 200+ looked likely. However a middle and late order batting collapse saw Ceylon reduced to 156-9 before the last pair of Todd Hargreaves (19 n.o.) and Tim Green boosted the total to 174 all out in 34.3 overs. Rakesh Raturi (16-4) ripped through the Ceylon middle/late order ably supported by Sandeep Bandarwar (21-2).

Chasing this modest total, Indorama got off to a flying start (22 off the first 3 overs) due mainly to some initial wayward bowling by the hosts. At 53-1 (12 overs) and 107-3 (24 overs), Indorama were well placed to launch their assault on the Ceylon total in the final session (68 runs required off 11 overs with 7 wickets in hand). Uday Kumar (28), Ty Brewster (20) and Gautam Rathore (20) were chiefly responsible for placing Indorama in this winning position.

However, a rejuvenated Ceylon bowled and fielded with gusto in this final session and fought themselves back into contention. Sheet-anchor Vasudevan was needlessly run-out for 26 towards the end, putting immense pressure on the Indorama "tail". The game went into the final over with Indorama requiring nine to win with the last pair in. A defensive field enabled the batsmen to pick up singles and doubles without too much drama. Into the final ball of the game - three runs to win; two to tie. Tim Green bowls, Rakesh Raturi plays the ball to mid-on. The batsmen cross over for 2 before the return comes back to the keeper. Indorama 174-9 (35 overs).

Game over. Scores level. Ceylon & Indorama are JCA League "Joint Champions". The pick of the bowlers for Ceylon were Tim Green (26-3) and T.Anpan (27-2). Meanwhile, the J.C.A. knockout tournament, scheduled to begin last weekend (February 14), has been postponed following the late withdrawal of Countrywood and Texmaco.