All eight SPSA teams were in action in Week 3 of the ECB Academy League, on 17 and 18 October, and most matches were played in extremely hot, sunny conditions. Three teams won, all by big margins. The U15 Mavericks beat Hitterz Academy by 201 runs, with Humaid Imran Suriya taking 6 for 14. The SPSA Avengers bowled out Desert Cubs Southern Sharks for just 25 on the way to a 10-wicket win, and the U15 Raiders recorded their first win of the season by 117 runs, built on Vansh Sapru’s 72.
The U15 Rangers took on the ECB Women’s Senior team, effectively the UAE women’s national side, and Samridh Taneja claimed the wicket of UAE captain Esha Oza. The Falcons posted their best total of the season, led by Aarika Singh’s unbeaten 46.
Catch up on last week in the Week 2 roundup, and follow all our teams on the SPSA in the ECB Academy League page.
U12 Avengers win by 10 wickets (Division A)
Desert Cubs Southern Sharks U12 25 all out (14.2 overs) · SPSA Avengers U12 26/0 (5.4 overs)
17 October, Deira International School, Festival City · Full scorecard
The defending champions produced a ruthless bowling display. Player of the Match Yuven Mehta set the tone with 2 wickets for just 1 run from 3 overs, including two maidens. All six Avengers bowlers took wickets, and between them they bowled six maidens. Zack Crasta (2 for 5) and Anirudh Nikhil (2 for 3) both struck twice, and Ahan Moghe held two catches.
The Southern Sharks were bowled out for 25 in the 15th over. Vihaan Mahesh (11 not out) and Savya Dakhera (9 not out) knocked off the runs in under six overs, giving the Avengers two wins from two.
“A dominant 10-wicket victory. Yuven Mehta and Zack Crasta led the bowling attack with excellent spells, with great support from the rest of the bowlers. Vihaan Mahesh and Savya Dakhera then guided us home in just 5.4 overs to complete a superb team performance.”
Coach Nandhu
U15 Raiders win by 117 runs (Division C)
SPSA Raiders U15 202/7 (30 overs) · Cherish Cricket Academy U15 85 all out (16 overs)
17 October, Rovers Ground, Al Batayeh · Full scorecard
Put in to bat, the Raiders lost an opener in the first over, but Player of the Match Vansh Sapru anchored the innings with 72 off 84 balls. He added 51 with Dali Garrett (16), and Sakshya Mathur (12 off 11) kept the scoreboard moving. Karm Monga (13 not out) and Vyom Dua (10 not out) finished strongly to take the Raiders past 200.
Cherish were 24/4 inside five overs as Karm took 3 for 35. Vyom (2 for 18) and Ayaan Qureshi (2 for 15) also struck twice, and Amay Kashyap took a wicket in a maiden over. Vansh capped his day with a catch behind the stumps and a run-out.
“Vansh Sapru’s brilliant 72 was the highlight of our batting. It was a superb innings that showed real patience and consistency, and it anchored us to a competitive total. Special mention to Karm Monga for his valuable all-round contribution with both bat and ball. Well played, Raiders!”
Coach Subin
U15 Rangers lose by 85 runs (Division B)
ECB Women’s Senior 164/5 (30 overs) · SPSA Rangers U15 79 all out (23.1 overs)
17 October, MCC 2 Ajman · Full scorecard
The Rangers faced their toughest test yet against the ECB Women’s Senior team, effectively the UAE women’s national side. They were led by UAE captain Esha Oza, with fellow internationals Indhuja Nandakumar, Suraksha Kotte, Sashikala Silva and Rishitha Rajith in the line-up. The openers put on 76 before Samridh Taneja struck the key blow, removing Esha for 40, caught behind by Dhruv Laddha. Getting an international captain out is a moment to remember for any U15 player.
Neev Panandikar then took 3 for 25 from his 6 overs, with 23 dot balls, as the Rangers took three more wickets for 23 runs. Arjun Nagathan was also tight, conceding 22 runs from 6 overs. Chasing 165, the Rangers lost early wickets against an experienced attack. Naksh Sanghavi top-scored with 18, while Player of the Match Esha Oza took 2 for 7. It was the Rangers’ first defeat of the season, and a valuable experience against international-level cricketers.
“The Rangers played well, and our bowling and fielding were good. Neev Panandikar was the standout, and Arjun Nagathan bowled really well. Overall our bowling was stronger than our batting, where we struggled to build partnerships.”
Coach Nihal
U15 Mavericks win by 201 runs (Division B)
SPSA Mavericks U15 238/5 (30 overs) · Hitterz Academy U15 37 all out (9.1 overs)
18 October, Farhan Cricket Ground, Al Bataya · Full scorecard
Put in to bat, the Mavericks posted SPSA’s highest total of this ECB season. Samar Mahajan (31 off 30) and Swayam Gouda (16) gave them a solid start, and Yohaan Karthik made 55 off 50 balls, SPSA’s third fifty of this ECB season. Avyay Shah (40 off 40), Antony Rafael (23) and Ishaan Sethumadhvan (20 not out off 14) kept the runs flowing to 238.
Then Player of the Match Humaid Imran Suriya tore through the Hitterz batting with 6 for 14 from 5 overs, including a maiden and 25 dot balls. He bowled three batters and trapped two lbw. Shayan Sehran bowled four more at the other end for 4 for 19, and Hitterz were all out for 37 in the 10th over. Only two bowlers were needed, and the 201-run margin is SPSA’s biggest ECB League win of the season so far.
“Once again, a very complete performance from the Mavericks, with the batters setting the platform and the bowlers finishing the job in style. Yohaan Karthik and Avyay Shah deserve a special mention for their excellent batting. It was a 2 PM start, super hot, and the pitch wasn’t easy, so it was very challenging for the batters. With the ball, the bowling from Humaid and Shayan was disciplined, accurate and relentless. A great all-round team effort, with super fielding too, and exactly the kind of performance we want to build on.”
Coach Nihal
U12 Warriors lose by 94 runs (Division A)
ICCA Warriors U12 198/5 (25 overs) · SPSA Warriors U12 104/9 (23.4 overs)
17 October, MCC 2 Ajman · Full scorecard
ICCA chose to bat and built a big total around Player of the Match Ahaan Grover’s 68 off 58. Syed Mohammed Aliyan was the pick of the Warriors’ bowlers with 2 for 25, including Ahaan’s wicket, and Nuwaan Kewalia took 1 for 21 from his 4 overs. Viaan Shah held two catches, and Gandharv Ghavnalkar and Yashmit Roy also took a wicket each.
Chasing 199 in the heat, the Warriors kept fighting. Viaan batted patiently for 8 off 30 balls, and Yashmit top-scored with 14, but the ICCA bowlers kept the scoring in check.
“Although the result didn’t go our way, every match is an opportunity to learn, improve and come back stronger. Every player who stepped onto the field gained valuable match experience. There are lessons to take from our bowling discipline, batting partnerships and decision-making, and these are areas we can work on together in practice.”
Coach Vivek
U18 Guardians lose by 6 wickets (Division B)
SPSA Guardians U18 112 all out (30 overs) · SA Sports Academy U18 113/4 (13.5 overs)
17 October, Wicket Nation Cricket Ground, Al Batayeh · Full scorecard
The Guardians chose to bat and made a brisk start, with Masood Nobee hitting three fours in his 13 off 13 balls. Shastha Shinu added 19, including a six, and Alman Wajahat top-scored with 24, clearing the ropes twice. SA Sports Academy’s bowlers kept things tight, led by Muhammad Ali (3 for 20) and Player of the Match Muhammad Bilal (2 for 17), and the Guardians were all out on the last ball of their 30 overs.
SA Sports Academy chased quickly. Muhammed Irteza took 2 for 34, and Ishaan Sayal (1 for 20) and Shastha also struck, but the target was reached in the 14th over.
“We lost the match, but there were some individual performances worth highlighting. Alman Wajahat was our top scorer with two sixes, Ishaan Sayal was our most economical bowler, and Muhammed Irteza took two wickets.”
Coach Anoop
U12 Ajman lose by 143 runs (Division B)
TCA Royals U12 193/6 (25 overs) · SPSA Ajman U12 50/7 (14.4 overs)
18 October, MCC 2 Ajman · Full scorecard
SPSA Ajman had only eight players available for their first home match of the season, and chose to bowl. TCA Royals built a strong total around Player of the Match Amaan Jiash (49) and Anay Praful (46). Karthik Gopish was SPSA’s standout, taking a caught-and-bowled and conceding just 22 from his 4 overs, and Amaan was run out off his bowling. Daksh Sapru also effected a run-out, Thryambak Thirumalai bowled economically, and Ayaan Arora was outstanding in the field, saving around 20 runs by his coach’s estimate.
In reply, Daksh held firm for 8 not out, and the innings closed at 50/7 with all eight players having batted. Playing three short against a strong side made for a tough afternoon, and the squad deserves credit for sticking at it.
“Despite being short of players, our boys stepped onto the field, gave their best and fought until the very end. That itself deserves appreciation and respect. Ayaan Arora was exceptional in the field from the first ball to the last, with quick reactions and some brilliant diving stops. The journey continues, and the best is yet to come.”
Coach Vivek
Falcons Girls U15 lose by 116 runs (Girls U15 League)
Desert Cubs Cricket Academy 227/1 (20 overs) · SPSA Falcons 111/5 (20 overs)
17 October, Sharjah English School · Full scorecard
Desert Cubs batted first and their openers put on 141 before Mihika Hulle broke the stand, removing Player of the Match Kanishka Kanwar Rana (56) with a catch by Aarika Singh.
The highlight of the day came with the bat. Opener Aarika batted through all 20 overs for an unbeaten 46 off 66 balls, with four fours. She shared a 72-run partnership with Sehajpreet Kaur (15), and the Falcons posted 111, their best total of the season so far.
“A fantastic batting performance by Aarika Singh, scoring an impressive 46 against Desert Cubs. Excellent batting, Aarika! Keep believing, keep improving and keep shining.”
Coach Judit
Coming up this weekend
All eight SPSA teams are back in action on 24 and 25 October.
| Date and time | Team | Opponent | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 24 Oct, 10:45 AM | SPSA Mavericks U15 | TCA Kings U15 | U15 Division B | MCC 2 Ajman |
| Sat 24 Oct, 3:00 PM | SPSA Falcons (Girls U15) | Freedem Cricket Academy | Girls U15 League | MCC 2 Ajman |
| Sat 24 Oct, 3:00 PM | SPSA Guardians U18 | TCA Royals U18 | U18 Division B | Seven Districts Ground, Ajman |
| Sat 24 Oct, 3:00 PM | SPSA Avengers U12 | Zenith Stallions U12 | U12 Division A | Royal Sports Ground 1, Ajman |
| Sun 25 Oct, 10:45 AM | SPSA Raiders U15 | Freedem Eagles U15 | U15 Division C | MCC 2 Ajman |
| Sun 25 Oct, 11:00 AM | SPSA Ajman U12 | Legends Warriors U12 | U12 Division B | DCS Stellar Ground, Al Batayeh |
| Sun 25 Oct, 1:00 PM | SPSA Warriors U12 | Victoria Warriors U12 | U12 Division A | DPS Sharjah |
| Sun 25 Oct, 1:30 PM | SPSA Rangers U15 | Rays Cricket Academy U15 | U15 Division B | BCC Queensland, Al Batayeh |
The Mavericks, Falcons and Raiders all play at home at MCC 2 Ajman, so come along and cheer them on. Bring a hat and plenty of water, because it’s still hot out there. See you back here next week for the Week 4 roundup.