Back from England for the UAE's upcoming fixtures in the Asia Cup Under 19 Qualifier in Kuwait, Jonathan Figy had the distinction of facing the first ball in the Abu Dhabi Cricket’s inaugural Super Eight tournament under lights this past weekend.
Playing in his first game for the Zayed Cricket Academy since joining Winchester College on a full cricket scholarship, the left-handed opener fell for 18 as New Medical Centre got the better of Zayed Academy by five wickets.
Despite the defeat, Figy said he can take a lot of positives from the experience.
“I have been training three days a week at the school in England but that was on the astro turf,” said Figy, who stroked 37 in Zayed Academy’s seven-run win over G-Force in the UAE National Academies League in Ajman on Saturday.
“I played a friendly game against the UAE senior national on Wednesday and the Super Eight on Saturday.
“And the first tournament game against a Division 1 team was an experience I can take forward. It’s also the first time I have been playing on the turf after leaving Abu Dhabi on August 31.”
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Figy, 16, is no stranger to the ovals at Zayed Cricket Academy but this was his first time playing under the recently installed lights.
“For me, to return to the Oval and playing under lights was another whole new experience,” he said.
“Anyone playing on such beautiful surface will get that feeling. I loved every moment I was on the pitch.”
Figy will fly with the UAE 19 team to Kuwait on Wednesday for the qualifier where they will face the hosts, Bahrain, Oman, Maldives and Iran.
The Super Eight has drawn the best players from around the country, including representatives on the national team players.
William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana and Alubond Tigers clinched last-ball victories.
Ghulam Murtaza blasted 45 not out off 16 balls to get Gymkhana to chase down One Stop Tourism’s 184-8 and United Bank Limited fell short by six runs after Alubond posted 138-7.
Multiplex overcame Xconcepts Automobili by four wickets in the other match.
The top four finishers in the round-robin league will advance to the semi-finals.
