The ground-breaking Almond Ashes cricket series between Australian almond sellers and Indian almond buyers was just decided in Dubai on the eve of Gulfoods Trade Show. The Indian team defeated the Australians by 22 runs to win the series 3-2. Veteran Mumbai allrounder Sarwan Bangeja was named man of the match for his 41 runs and two wickets.
Sarwan and Delhi-Dubai trader Ashwini Taneja featured in a game changing 52 run partnership in the middle of the innings. Indian captain Shrey Bhatia said the victory helped soften the blow of losing the World Cup to Australia late last year.
The Almond Ashes is an initiative of the Almond Board of Australia and is played each year in Dubai as buyers and sellers converge on the UAE capital for Gulfoods. It has proven an invaluable ice-breaker and relationship builder with traders from all over India making up the team.
This year the Ashes followed on from Australian Almonds entering a national side in the inaugural MEWA Premier League box cricket tournament in Delhi. It proved another highly successful event for the ABA and our invitational 11 including guests from the Australian Macadamia Society, Austrade and Australian High Commission.