Philippine Cricket Association President, Chris Hartley, provides the latest on the Manila cricket scene:
"Late April saw what was (for a week anyway!) the closest finish in recent Filipino cricketing history when Australia just managed to pip New Zealand at the post in the annual ANZAC cricket challenge.
Cricketers from both nations put their bodies on the line for their respective countries & fought valiantly in the true ANZAC spirit. There were no Hansie Cronje's here - at stake was not just the ANZAC cricket cup, but national pride.
A healthy turnout of players & spectators saw NZ win the toss & send the Aussies in to bat on a good pitch & in humid conditions.
Kiwi skipper Mike Gourlay may have been ruing his decision to field as the Aussies piled on the early runs. However, some tight bowling frustrated Aus who in the end posted a respectable 172 from their 30 overs.
After lunch, the Aussies took to the field & immediately had NZ struggling with three early wickets. It looked at one stage as if the local Kiwis might roll over like their national counterparts, but the Aussies soon learned never to underestimate the Black Caps. A stoic middle order revival had NZ back in the game needing just four runs per over from the final ten.
Lost early wickets were always going to menace the NZ run chase & it proved to be fatal in the end. With one over left NZ required just three runs & Australia one wicket for victory.
Alas, it was not to be for the Kiwis who were bowled out for 171. Notable performers on the day were Frank Sharpley & Rodney Hall for NZ & Adam Jones & Faisal Kahn for Australia.
The thrilling finish to the ANZAC cricket match would have left you thinking Filipino cricket couldn't get a closer finish.
Nomads and India managed just that last Sunday with a tie.
India were sent in to bat & struggled against an impressive Nomads bowling attack & fielding display. After their 30 overs, India was restricted to a modest 123.
What seemed a very gettable target at first, became a challenge as Nomads battled a determined Indian bowling display. Regular fall of wickets & a slow outfield hampered the Nomads run chase who needed six runs per over from the final nine on offer.
Resilient batting from Sharpley & Hartley put victory within reach with three runs required off the final over. However, superb line & length bowling from Indian captain Raju allowed Nomads only to level the scores & no more. The memorable tie was only the second in living memory at the Nomad Sport Club.
Singapore Cricket Club's visit this weekend will mark the end of the 1999/2000 Philippine season. 2000-1 will start on or about October 1.
Both Friday and Saturday's matches will be 35-over-a-side.
Meanwhile, the Nomads Cricket Club is likely to tour either Jakarta, Hong Kong or both."