Our final event of another action-packed year, FanCode ECS Malta Encore provides an opportunity for ten leading Maltese teams to showcase their skills on the magnificent island of Malta, contesting 47 games over 12 days. Every game will be live streamed worldwide on the European Cricket Network and on FanCode - a multi-sport aggregator platform, from the house of Dream Sports for the Indian Sub-Continent.
European Cricket Network live broadcasts four T10 matches on Day 9 of the 2021 FanCode ECS Malta Encore on Wednesday 1 December.
The bottom two sides, RST and Gozo look to get off the mark while the top two fight to keep their unbeaten run intact.
Group B
AUM American University of Malta (6-0, NRR+4.106)
AUK Atlas UTC Knights (3-0-1, NRR+3.043)
MAR Marsa (2-3-1, NRR+0.362)
GOZ Gozo (0-4, NRR-3.223)
RST Royal Strikers (0-4, NRR-5.594)
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MATCH 33 (ECS21.908)
ROYAL STRIKERS (RST) v GOZO (GOZ)
0730 GMT | 0830 CET | 1300 IST
MATCH 34 (ECS21.909)
ROYAL STRIKERS (RST) v GOZO (GOZ)
0930 GMT | 1030 CET | 1500 IST
RST Last Five Matches: W L L L L (Avg Score For 58, Avg Score Against 114)
GOZ Last Five Matches: L L L L L(Avg Score For 63, Avg Score Against 104)
Official Betting Partner of the ECN Bet nowROYAL STRIKERS (RST)
Captain: Savio Thomas
Wicketkeeper: Manuel Jobi
Projected Top Four: Rejit Abraham, Livin Varghese, Kushlesh Koppaka, Manuel Jobi
Projected Opening Bowlers: Rubin James, Jaison Jerome
Spin Options: Ashwin Raju, Jaimon Johnson
ROYAL STRIKERS Key Players:
Livin Varghese, right handed batter, has struggled to get going so far but will be keen to score some runs in the coming games.
Kushlesh Koppaka, valuable all-rounder, Top scorer for RST racking up 48 runs in four innings. Has also picked up a wicket.
Rubin James, right arm fast bowler, top wicket taker for RST picking up FIVE wickets in four games.
GOZO (GOZ)
Captain: Jerin Jacob
Wicketkeeper: Senthil Raj
Projected Top Four: Joshby Job, Indika Perera, Milton Devasia, Aji Wilson
Projected Opening Bowlers: Rishal Simon, Rafeeque Mohammed
Spin Options: Milton Devasia, Ajeesh Antony
GOZO Key Players:
Sandeep Sasikumar, the right arm fast bowler was the most impressive GOZ bowler in June earlier this year. First Gozo player to win a man of the match award on the grand stage of European Cricket. Top wicket taker for Gozo scalping FOUR wickets in four games.
Senthil Raj, the all-rounder, highest scorer for Gozo racking up 52 runs in three innings at an average of 52.
Rajan Sharma, right arm medium pacer, has picked up THREE wickets in four games.
Winless in four attempts so far, both Royal Strikers and Gozo will be yearning to experience the first taste of victory.
Match Prediction: Royal Strikers and Gozo to share the spoils with a win apiece.
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MATCH 35 (ECS21.910)
ATLAS UTC KNIGHTS (AUK) v AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA (AUM)
1130 GMT | 1230 CET | 1700 IST
MATCH 36 (ECS21.911)
ATLAS UTC KNIGHTS (AUK) v AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA (AUM)
1330 GMT | 1430 CET | 1900 IST
AUK Last Five Matches: W NR W W W(Avg Score For 102, Avg Score Against 65)
AUM Last Five Matches: W W W W W (Avg Score For 104, Avg Score Against 63)
Official Betting Partner of the ECN Bet nowATLAS UTC KNIGHTS (AUK)
Captain: Sujesh Appu
Wicketkeeper: Avinash Dileep
Projected Top Four: Samuel Stanislaus, Manoj Panicker, Basil George, Avinash Dileep
Projected Opening Bowlers: Asif Sha, Justin Shaju
Spin Options: Samuel Stanislaus
ATLAS UTC KNIGHTS Key Players:
Basil George, star all-rounder, powerhouse of AUK with the bat, has the ability to smash all around the park. Has scored 42 runs in two games so far.
Samuel Stanislaus, Knight's Mr Dependable, has been the leading run scorer for AUK in both the previous ECS editions. He can also roll his arm when needed. Top scorer for AUK racking up 88 in three innings including a 30-ball 51* vs Gozo.
Sujesh Appu, AUK skipper, has bowled brilliantly so far sticking to tight line and lengths. He has conceded at just 4.50 rpo and has been rewarded with a couple of wickets.
Nithin Babu, right arm pacer, joint top wicket taker for AUK scalping THREE wickets at an economy rate of just 3.75.
Justin Shaju, another valuable all-rounder, can swing the ball around at a decent pace and score handy runs down the order. Joint leading wicket taker for AUK picking up THREE wickets.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA (AUM)
Captain: Jit Patel
Wicketkeeper: Darshit Patankar
Projected Top Four: Darshit Patankar, Abhishek Prajapati, Jassi Singh, Saneesh Kumar
Projected Opening Bowlers: Jit Patel, Shubh Patel
Spin Options: Zoheb Malek, Abhishek Kuntala, Darshnik Gohil
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF MALTA Key Players:
Zoheb Malek, a valuable all-rounder, took AUM to a thrilling victory over MAR scoring a crucial 18 off 10 balls. He has scalped SIX wickets as well including best figures of 2-1 vs RST on Saturday.
Darshit Patankar, the wicket-keeper batter is the top scorer for AUM so far racking up 109 runs in five innings.
Varun Prasath, the left-hander featured for the victorious Super Kings at FanCode ECS Malta 2021. Second highest scorer for AUM amassing 108 runs in five innings. He is also the top wicket taker for AUM scalping EIGHT wickets.
Darshnik Gohil, left arm off-spinner, second highest wicket taker for AUM scalping SIX wickets in four games including a player of the match effort of 4-7.
Table toppers American University of Malta and Atlas UTC Knights lock horns in the second double header of day 9. AUM and AUK remain the only unbeaten sides in the tournament - which is likely to change, unless rain intervenes. AUK holds the edge over AUM winning two of the four previous encounters with one match being abandoned. That said, AUM are in tremendous form this series winning six straight games and might prove too hot for the Knights.
Last time they met: ECS21.447 | AUK 107 def AUM 73 (16 Jun 2021)
Match Prediction: Both AUK and AUM to walk away with a win each.
