1st XI fall just short despite thrilling run-chase in final Mumbai match

Vengsarkar Academy Mumbai 203 all out (40 overs)

Hampton School 187 all out (38.2 overs, Manuel 42)

Hampton School’s cricketers launched an exciting run chase in pursuit of a formidable Vengsarkar Academy target in Mumbai this afternoon, but fell agonisingly short in the third match of their Indian tour.

Chasing down an intimidating Academy total of 203 in 40 overs, Hampton’s upper order looked to have the match under control at 127 for two in the 29th over.

But a remarkable fielding performance by the home team, with two stunning catches and a brilliant run out, denied the tourists what would have been a memorable victory in their final match in Mumbai.

Winning the toss on a cool, bright morning, Hampton invited the tourists to bat first on a pitch that seemed likely to give the fielding side some assistance. So it proved, as Hampton reduced the home team to 57 for 4 in the 13th over.

But under the watchful eye of their patron, former Indian test star Dilip Vengsarkar, the Academy side rallied to set a challenging target of 204, with four catches to Tanmay Thanawalla and two wickets each for Alfie Simonds Gooding, Pravin Kiritharan and Tom Chandler.

Hampton needed to score their runs at more than five an over to have any chance, but Will Greenall and Mikey Ford put together a belligerent opening stand of 61 in the opening eleven overs to raise the possibility of an unlikely victory. 

Dominating contributions from Jack Berg (29) and skipper Denil Manuel (42) maintained the momentum as the tourists built partnerships that seemed to bring the huge target within reach.

But just as Hampton seemed to be closing in on victory, the Academy fielders threw their bowlers a lifeline with an exceptional performance in the field that brought wickets tumbling as the target neared.

In the end a total of more than 200 in forty overs proved just too challenging for the tourists as the match went right to the wire in a thrilling conclusion that almost seemed to make the result irrelevant.

Hampton’s cricketers now travel on to Ahmedabad for the second leg of their Indian tour, leaving behind many good friends and happy memories in Mumbai.