When cricket and rugby matches are either cancelled, postponed or played without onlookers, the Australian Zoroastrian Association’s annual cricket match in Sydney on March 8, 2020 was played in front of knowledgeable Parsi spectators. They cheered every run, every four, every wicket when witnessing the 35-over match.
Led by the talented teenaged Govekar brothers Cyrus and Shyan, the match provided an exciting climax. Batting first, Shyan’s team totaled 120 runs, the top scorer was the ever consistent Beghzad Bana stroking an unbeaten 21. Others to shine out with the bat were Kerfegar Parekh, and the proud father of both the captains, Porus Govekar.
Top and above: Players and organi- zers at the Australian
Zoroastrian Association’s cricket match
Photos: Dara Wadia
After a lunch of pizzas and water melon, skipper Cyrus opened the batting with Rushad Parekh and both batted with youthful exuberance. They retired as per the rules. Cyrus top-scored with 30 runs, smashing three fours and a six. Then Homeher Bana took over, belting two sixes in his 25 before he was caught by Kerfegar in the deep. This was the catch of the match.
Aarish Mistry followed his fine bowling performance with a stylish 16 to earn Man of the Match award and the Piroj-shah Dubash Shield. Brothers Shahaan and Shiroy Choksey, both pre-teenagers, batted well at the end ensuring a one wicket win for their team. Shiroy lifted the Phiroze J. Bhagwagar Shield for best batting while Shahaan was conferred the Encouragement Award.
Best bowling came from Cal Foote and son Johnny who captured vital wickets, Cal taking a stunning caught and bowled and Johnny winning the Rustom Naoroz Shield for best bowling. The wicket-keeping of Beghzad Bana and Jal Kerkeria was Test class. Much is expected from the teenagers and pre-teenagers who played with elegance and determination.