Big things are expected of the Taiwan Daredevils Cricket Club (previously TSCC) this season and yesterday in Chiayi City the Daredevils were not in the mood for taking it lightly on their opponents, the Pakistan Badshows, who knocked them out in the semi-final of the Chunghwa Cup in the two clubs’ previous meeting.

The Daredevils won the toss in the first 15 overs game and openers Graham Terblanche and skipper Duane Christie fell cheaply from good bowling by Zaheer Amazhid and Touseef Ashraf.

The Daredevils’ start went from bad to worse when Jared Painter (2) missed a straight one from Mujahid Mohammad.

Chairman of the Daredevils did not disappoint with the bat, making a vital 44 not out, with good support from new star Campbell Burns (31). Jeff Black provided some impetus to the innings with a quick-fire 21.

Mohammad was the pick of the bowlers with 1-for-7 in two overs as the Daredevils reached 131-for-5 in 15 overs.

The Badshaws set off like a train with 40 for no loss coming off the five power-play overs. The Daredevils were missing star Fielder Eben Haarhoff, but it did not seem to effect the Daredevils’ moral.

The Badshaws were well placed at 75-for-3 in the 10th over, but tight bowling from Terblanche with 1-for-16 in three overs and James Daly 2-for-15 in two overs put the brakes on the scoring.

Sixteen runs were needed from the final over, but only eight runs were conceded, leaving the Badshaws 123-for-5 in 15 overs, handing the match to the Daredevils by eight runs.

The second game was an 18 over affair with the Badshaws batting first.

Thirteen-year-old Daly took 3-for-18 in three overs. He bowled with control and looks a super prospect for the future.

The Badshaws managed 111 all out with only Imran Syed making 24. Herc Malan, 2-for-24 from two overs, and Terblanche, 2-for-17 from three overs, bowled well.

The Daredevils lost opener Christie early and were in slight trouble at 10-for-2. Terblanche (54) and Daly (19) steadied the ship with the Daredevils cruising at 112-for-4 in 13.2 overs.

Middle-order batsman Justin Lambie hit the biggest six of the day to finish off the victory in style with 40 balls remaining.

The Daredevils welcome back Caleb Kenyon and Haarrhoff for the Formosa Cup, with the team looking serious contenders in this year’s cup.

On paper the two best cricket teams on the island met today in Chiayi county
at the Taibao Pro ground. Taiwan Daredevils Cricket Club ( formerly Taiwan
Southerners C.C) claimed a big upset by beating top team PCCT in the
invitational trophy in Chiayi County.

Daredevils won the toss in the 25th over competition and elected to bat,
captain Duane Christie and Graham Terblanche got them off to a good start by
putting 50 on for the first wicket.A mini collapse set in, but Roy Horgan 66
in 38 balls and Jeff Black 48 from 29 balls helped the Daredevils reach 196
for 9 in 25 overs. Shoaib Meer was the pick of the PCCT bowlers with 3 for
40 in 5 overs.

The target always seemed too much for PCCT, when opening bowler Jared
Painter tore into the PCCT order, leaving them reeling at 13 for 3 in 3
overs, Things went from bad to worse and were in direstraits at 55 for 8 but
Daredevils took the foot off the gas. Tailenders (Ninad khan made 36 and
Sanjeev Kumar 30 not out) as PCCT ended on 120 all out. Pick of the bowlers
were Sydney 2nd grade cricketer Jared Painter 4 for 26 in 3.3 overs and
Terblanche 3 for 26 in 4 overs.

Earlier, PCCT beat Taiwan Daredevils by 6 runs in the twenty / 20 friendly
match. PCCT 150 for 6 ( Mujahid 77 not out Amjad 22) Jared Painter 3 for 11
in 4 overs. In reply Taiwan Daredevils made 147 all out ( Mike O’Callaghan
36) Sanjeev Kumar was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 17 in 4 overs.

The game was a promotion day for cricket in Taiwan as Chinese Taipei Cricket
Association tries to introduce cricket to government officials.

The next competition will be the formosa cup on Oct. 1st / 2nd in Chiayi.