CRICKET: Captain of Don Bruce receives Birthday package from team in New Year Invitational T20 league

Following a solid victory over Swami Sports Club, Don Bruce Cricket Club has increased their winning streak in the ongoing Ghana Cricket Association New Year Invitational T20 competition to four games.
Don Bruce returned to the league after a lengthy absence following their third victory, and they did so with enough strength and talent to defeat Swami Sports in a week 10 encounter on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at the Achimota Oval C.

Don Bruce scored 159/8 in the first innings in 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it difficult for Swami Sports who won the toss and choose to bat first.

Alex Osei, a member of the national squad, had a terrific game, scoring 83 runs off 57 balls without being struck out.

With eight boundary fours, Alex opened the batting order, held his ground, and performed admirably.
With a strike rate of 145.61, he eventually earned Player of the Game.

While Don Bruce was at 56 runs, there were 3 rapid wickets between the fifth and eighth wickets.
Kantilal Hirani of Swami Sports grabbed 2 of the quick wickets while taking 3-0-24-3.
After losing to Punjab IPMC on November 6, Swami Sports played their second match, improving their total to 109/10.

Swami Sports eventually reached 73 runs after the 10th over thanks to wickets falling on the fourth, fifteenth, and thirty-second balls, respectively. A double of that total would have brought them closer to the target.

As Don Bruce tightened the restriction, they made 7 more wickets to end the game, making things worse for them in the following 10 overs.
Don Bruce outscored CSK by 50 runs to win and reclaim first place in the standings with 8 points. CSK had earlier dropped Don Bruce to second place with an NRR advantage.
Subhasis Ray, the team's vice captain who took charge for the first time when Sachin, the captain, was away, received it as a birthday gift.

Nirav Pomal, the captain of Swami Sports Club, aspires for a better showing in their upcoming game, which should give them their first victory while explaining why they lost.

“It was a nice game, better than the last one. We played well this time, but our opponents played better than us. We have learnt from this game and hopefully, we will win our next match. We opted to field first because we are good in bowling; we have a lot of bowlers, so always we love to bowl first to restrict our opponents but this time they played better and a little bit more score, that is why we lost.”

Birthday man Subhasis Ray tells "TalksensSports", they hope to continue their winning momentum into the finals.

“It is about the consistency of the team, the coordination we had. My captain has traveled and it was the first time I led the team and they delivered for me. It is also about the strength we carry in the team. We know which player carried which strength and we make them play accordingly. Today is my birthday and I got the present from my team, for winning this match.”

“We decided to bat first if we win toss, so it gives us a chance of leading the front; to score maximum without any pressure. We are a good bowling side, we have some foreign players who are good, and yes, this match went in our favor, but cricket is full of uncertainties, and you cannot determine which team can do tremendously well or do magic on the field. It is also about how much effort you put in on the field and the results will come. We want to win all matches, to reach the final and we have 2 more to go.”

Don Bruce has CSK to play later next year, a cracker of a match to watch, as winner leads the group into the semis.

In Group B, 3rd place Punjab plays Salt n’ Pepper in week 11 on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

Contributor: Ghana Cricket Association