Tallangatta coach Matt Armstrong has labelled Indian import Sahib Malhotra potentially the association’s best batsman of the past decade.
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A former Delhi Daredevils squad member in the IPL, Malhotra virtually sealed the Bushies’ finals berth, and possibly torpedoed New City’s hopes, with a majestic unbeaten century.
The home team produced the season’s biggest run chase to hunt down 260 with three wickets left.
“That’s the best 100 I’ve seen in a run chase,” Armstrong said.
“He just timed his run perfectly. He managed to bat through (from the 22nd over) and score around 200 runs in partnerships with three different batsmen.
That’s the best 100 I’ve seen in a run chase. He just timed his run perfectly. He managed to bat through (from the 22nd over) and score around 200 runs in partnerships.
- Matt Armstrong
“He’s the best (in the association) at the moment, there’s lots of great players around here, but he’s definitely the best.”
The former Indian under 19 representative has now scored three tons and a half-century in his eight innings, spread over two seasons.
He boasts 439 runs at 62.71 and 309 at 103 this season.
“He’s still young (25) and the scary thing for the bowlers is he’ll get better,” Armstrong said.
“I think, as a batsman, you’re at the height of your powers when you’re close to 30.
“Obviously being brought up in Indian conditions and coming out here and not even really having a full season yet and dominating, potentially, he could be the best batsman to play here (since 2008), but there’s been a lot of good players here.”
Malhotra was set to bat at number four or five, but Armstrong pushed him down the order.
“I just dropped him to six because we lost two wickets in the first two overs, so I just wanted someone else to accumulate some balls and drag the game out a little bit.
“We wanted him to bat against the spinners because he plays them so well.”
Malhotra arrived at the crease at 4-70 and shared in crucial stands with Nathan Thompson (67), Jake Hill (17) and Brett Allan (45).
“That was probably one of the nicest hundreds I’ve seen in quite a while,” New City coach Nick McDonald said.
“He didn’t give us a chance and he played really, really smart.
“It (Tallangatta’s win) was never in doubt in the last 15 overs because he just took full control.”
Allan’s innings, which included a six from his second delivery, also proved crucial.
“In three overs he was 20 not out, so he turned the game,” Armstrong said.
New City’s lionhearted import Sam Grant claimed 4-55.
With just one round left, the ladder is: Lavington 101. 37, Wodonga 95.16, Tallangatta 78.55, North Albury 77.99, East Albury 71.68, New City 69.82, Belvoir 68.24, St Patrick’s 62.89, Albury 47.89, Wodonga Raiders 35.54.