News from east Asia's Tuanku Ja'afar Trophy tournament
Tony Munro - 21 May 1999

For defending champion, Hong Kong, the annual Tuanku Ja'afar Trophy tournament proved to be a long way to travel (not to mention expensive) to sit in the pavilion and watch the rain tumble down. Hong Kong captain, Stewart Brew, gives this account:

"The Tuanku Ja'afar tournament began in Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia, the hosts, playing Singapore at the STC ground. Hong Kong had a bye after Thailand had pulled out of the tournament due to financial constraints. Singapore batted first scoring 232 from their 50 overs. In reply, Malaysia were 121 for 2 after 22 overs when a storm hit the ground. In a flurry of runs as the storm approached, Malaysia had hit 40 runs in a two over spell.

"They were attempting to reach a winning reduced target in the event of a rain shortened game. Alas the storm allowed no further play and since the minimum required 25 overs had not been reached, the points were shared evenly.

"The next day's game between Singapore and Hong Kong started after lunch on the same ground due to water seepage on the pitch from the previous day's storm. The match was reduced to 35 overs each, Singapore batting first and reaching 130 for nine due to some tight bowling from Hong Kong. Hong Kong reached the total comfortably off 23 overs for the loss of no wickets, after another late flurry as rain began to fall.

"Saturday's game was entirely washed out due to a morning storm (this daily rain had decided to make up for a month of dry weather preceding the tournament).

"After a rain frustrated round robin, Hong Kong and Malaysia qualified for Sunday's final at the Royal Selangor Club. Malaysia had not yet completed a game and Singapore were taking an early flight after playing the most cricket out of all the sides.

"Malaysia won the toss and decided to bat on a slowish but flat wicket. After a bright start which saw them reach 81 for one after 21 overs, Malaysia failed to capitalise and finished all out for 151 in 47 overs. The chief destroyer for Hong Kong being Saleem Malik (no relation) who picked up five wickets with a cagey display of slow bowling. Hong Kong were 51 for four after 17 overs and the game interestingly poised when you-no-what arrived to spoil the show. Using the Duckworth-Lewis system, Hong Kong required a target of 101 in 25 overs if eight further overs were possible. Unfortunately there was not enough time left when the rain finally stopped. Hong Kong were declared tournament winners based on the round robin results and retained the trophy.

"Obviously rain, not cricket, was the winner in this tournament. Unfortunately the rainy season in Kuala Lumpur extends from January to December. Tournaments held there should possibly revert to an early start (9:00 - 9:30) and a shortened lunch of say half an hour to minimise the effects of afternoon storms. The hospitality however was excellent in true Malaysian fashion with organisation also running very smoothly. The grounds in Malaysia are very attractive due to the improvements made for the Commonwealth Games. Four different clays were imported for the four main grounds in preparation for the Games as a trial to see which suited Malaysian conditions best. Now that they have a better idea on the best surface, I wouldn't be surprised to see further one day internationals held in Malaysia very soon. The outfields, facilities and surrounds are excellent at the newly completed RSC ground.

"There were murmurings of increasing the tournament by inviting further regional teams of increasing calibre. The tournament has developed into a stage for combining relatively experienced cricketers with younger developing players. The gradual addition of junior age tournaments under the Tuanku Ja'afar banner has given younger players something to aim for as well as valuable international experience. The organisers will be pushing for the tournament to be recognised and supported by the Asian Cricket Council."

Many thanks to Stewart for this inside look at the Tuanku Ja'afar Trophy. In case you are wondering, the the tournament was named after the Sultan of Negri Sembilan who was also King of Malaysia for five years until his term at the end of April. The ex-King was a keen supporter of cricket and his son Tunku Imran is the President of the Malaysian Cricket Association.