Java beats Bali in the first Under-19 National Cricket Championships

The victorious Java team who are the first ever Indonesia U-19 National Champions © ICC

The Ceylon Cricket Ground, Cibubur was the venue of the first ever National championship cricket match for the Under-19 played between Java and Bali over the weekend organised by the Indonesian Cricket Foundation.

The strong Java team was able to achieve easy victories over the Bali team in both the matches played this Saturday. Java won the first game by 7 wickets and the second game by 35 runs.

The first game of the day saw the Bali boys bundled out for a paltry 57 with a good spell of bowling from Java skipper Ashwin Sundar and Joseph picking up 3 wickets each. The Java team reached the target with ease losing only three wickets with the vice Captain Rizky Tri Rubbi (Eki) top scoring with 26 not out.

The second game of the day was a high scoring hit out, Java batting first put up a massive total of 209 in the allotted 20 overs for the loss of 6 wickets with Java wicket keeper Rahul going ballistic scoring 128 of only 58 deliveries in spite of some fiery bowling by Putra and Suda Arsa. The Bali did reply well scoring 172 for the loss of 8 wickets but was not enough to surpass the huge total put up by Java. The Highlights of the Bali Innings was a splendid innings of 59 by Adi.

The Java team's composition was made up of players from the teams that play regularly in the Jakarta Cricket Association's junior cricket league from SMP Mohmadiyah, SMAN Cibungbulang and SMK YKTB from Bogor; SMK Texmaco SMA Karawang, SMP 19 Mayesti. The international schools included Gandhi Memorial International School, Jakarta International School and the British International School while the Bali team was made up of players who play regularly in the Bali Cricket league from Jimbaran, Sidakarya, Sanur and Giyanyar. The Bali team was coached by Soni Hawoe and the Java team was coached by Zacaria Awang.

The success of the U-19 match has encouraged the Indonesian Cricket foundation to hold more of the regional tournaments in the future to develop the game of cricket in Indonesia.