Inaugural Challenge Match - Bali v Lombok

A "Challenge Match" was arranged to be played in Lombok last Sunday as a means to encourage the development of cricket in Lombok, in particular in the schools. Bali has had great success with its cricket trainers and is now teaching cricket in some 30 schools in Bali for some 5000 students. Lombok is anxious that cricket develop there in a similar manner, so a match was arranged between the middle school lads from Bali (ages 13 to 14 yrs) and players from Lombok, mainly "veterans" but with other interested cricket players. The present enthusiasm of the Lombok people was very instrumental in arranging this match and the Bali Clubs were most anxious to support this endeavour.

What an effort was made by these keen Lombok enthusiasts in seeking a field and turning it into a ground on which a great match was played. The assistance of a former ground manager from the WACA in Perth was great. The fine manicuring of the former "cabbage patch" with the aid of a 16-tonne roller, used for several days, was a magnificent effort and produced a ground for this inaugural occasion. Well done Lombok for this fine effort.

The great support of KONI in arranging the return trip to Lombok for the 13 lads and their trainers has been very much appreciated in this cricket development effort. We thank KONI and other Indonesians for this wonderful support.

A toss was arranged by one of the organisers using some Commonwealth Games Australian 50-cent coins and, as part of the arrangement, Bali won the toss and elected to bat. The coins were later handed over to the captain and vice-captain of the Bali team.

Lombok opened their fast bowling with their strength, with Justin and Lister, both with former grade cricket experience. What a fine first over with Adi having to face such a pace attack but he survived and greatly added to his experience - a great maiden over to start the game. Putra then showed some good form and appreciated the closeness of the boundary. Adi was then finally bowled by Justin but a good opening partnership of 33. Aris N joined Putra and the two showed they were not to be threatened by the good bowling. They took the score to 98 before Aris N was well caught by Peter off Rob, for a well-made 40. Putra quickly followed, a fine 32, and so at the drinks break Bali had done well with 3 for 107 from 14 overs. After the well-needed drinks Lombok did well and wickets started to fall, Andrew taking two wickets in his first over. Suda then stabilised the situation with his fine stroke making and impressed all with his good straight bat. The lower order batsmen did well to stay there with Suda who finally was well bowled on Justin's return, on the second last ball of the allocated 25 overs, for a well-made 25. Bali was all out for 162.

Bowling from Lombok was good, but some bowlers had the process of removing cob-webs but enjoyed the great fun. Best were Justin with 4 for 23 and Andrew with 3 for 18.

Lombok was most anxious to reply well but, as advised by Terry, it was necessary to be a little cautious about the Bali lads' ability. This was shown up immediately with Putra and Suda bowling well, Putra managing to bowl Josh on his third ball. Peter opened up well to support Justin and their earlier experience showed, creating a great challenge for the young Bali team. Suda did well in his 2nd over in bowling the experienced Justin, who smilingly and encouragingly acknowledged a good ball. Putra kept up the pressure and in a great return slammed at him by Peter managed to hold the catch firmly, Peter out for a well-made 20 including two 4s and a 6. Lombok was then 3 for 30 and struggling a little. Rob joined Lister and the two set about making the runs, which they did well despite the magnificent Bali fielding. Rob had the misfortune to suffer the fine Bali fielding and was run out for 16. Andrew struggled a little early in his support for Lister but Lister was then magnificently caught by Putra at silly mid-on, a great catch off Aris S. Leon joined the challenge but also suffered the fine fielding and was run out to a great return to the keeper, then having Lombok 6 for 70 at the drinks break. Terry joined Andrew and patience won for a while, Terry enjoying his luck with some good strokes. Andrew managed two 4s but found his match when Putra returned, being bowled for a patient 9. Terry battled on with the tail-enders and did well, Heina being run out when the Bali fielder stopped a boundary shot on the second bounce with his foot and slammed the ball back to knock the wicket down from the boundary, to the loud claps of all watching such a fine effort. Finally Terry succumbed being well caught from the bowling of Aris S for 14, Lombok being all out in the 19th over for 105. The whole Lombok team walked on to the ground to congratulate the young Bali team.

Bowling for Bali was generally good, the main wicket takers being Putra with 3 for 36, Suda with 2 for 18 and Aris S, 2 for 11.

Well done Lombok for the great challenge and the effort in its preparation. It will now be the first of many. Thanks also to KONI and its associates in assisting so much with all the competition. Well done all!

Bali innings Adi b Justin 7 Putra c Justin b Leon 32 Aris N c Peter b Rob 40 Aris S st Keeper b Andrew 12 Kadek c Terry b Andrew 7 Deni b Andrew 0 Urip c & b Terry 4 Suda b Justin 25 Putu b Justin 5 Bayu c Keeper b Justin 1 Alit not out 2 Extras (6 b, 3 lb ,15 w, 3 nb) 27 Total (all out, 24.5 overs) 162

FoW: 1-33, 2-98, 3-99, 4-114, 5-114, 6-125 7-133 8-150 9-153 10-162.

Bowling: Justin 5-1-4-23 (3w 1nb) Lister 3-0-1-16 (4w) Leon 4-0-0-32 (2w 1nb) Rob 4-0-1-39 (3w) Terry 3-0-1-21 (2w 1nb) Andrew 4-1-3-18 (1w) Peter 1-0-0-6

FoW: 1-0, 2-27, 3-30, 4-55, 5-65, 6-68, 7-96, 8-98, 9-103, 10-105.

Bowling: Putra 5-0-3-36 (5w 1nb) Suda 4-0-2-18 (1w) Urip 3-0-0-6 (0w 0nb) Kadek 1-0-0-1 (0w 0nb) Aris N 1-0-0-2 (1w) Aris S 2-0-2-11 (0w 0nb) Deni 2-0-0-9 (1w) Bayu 1-0-0-10

Result: Bali win by 55 runs