IIT Alumi Vs GCC2

I was thinking how to write all the previous match reports again. Then came to know this also can be done.. Science has played a wonderful innings with the human Life. Hence he it comes...

Our first match as a team in SCA League 2010. We were pretty nervous to approach League again but on high confidence on team’s latest performances. Only trouble is rain which is playing a big part in League with washed out matches, rain hit Parabola matches, so on. Luckily it was a clear day on the start. Over night rain had made out field sloppy and wet. There was an AM friendly match going on when we reached ground which gave us assurance of a game.

As usual our Cap, Baiju lost the toss and elected to field.. lol… forced to field. All of us were very punctual that we have reached very much in advance for warm up and preparations except one who was a bit late which made us to go to field with 10 initially. It was not one of the fantastic starts which Manesh and Johnson usually give. Both of them went wicket less in first 6 overs. But runs were also not coming. IIT Alumini guys seems glued to wicket that they are not loosing the wickets too. IIT guys were 20/0 in 6 overs. Pretty good score in this wet conditions. Vishnu was brought in from one end and had a tidy over. But wicketless.

We hardly needed a wicket at that point as both the batsmen getting set. Next change was Mani who has struck gold in his first over. Got the wicket of one of the set batsman and a good catch by Baiju in slip. On his second over Mani removed another one by a sharp reflex throw which found the batsman out of his ground with stumps shattered. IIT Alumini were in backfoot with 34/2 in 10 overs. Another excellent throw by Johnson found Mohamed ghouse to click the bails with batsman miles away. IIT 34/3 in 11.3 overs. Baiju replaced Vishnu and tried his off breaks. But no luck as ball was by the time wet and un-grippable. Went for drinks and IIT score card read 43/3 in 15 overs. Pretty good stuff by bowlers so far and its time to wrap up things as chasing 100+ in this pitch may be risky considering the wet factor and predicted evening rain.

We had refreshed after drinks and first over itself we got one of the guy walking out after a good run out my Mani – 45/4 Mani was excellent in the field through out the day breaking stumps every now and then… ! But the danger was not yet over as one of the opening batsman is still around who seems set and started hitting paired with the new batsman. Praveen tried to restrict them but was unlucky.

Baiju had a chat and decided to bring back openers for a change as score is 60/4 in 17 overs. It can prove dangerous if this two batsman get going like this. Johnson was brought back from a different end and he struck in his second ball of second spell taking out the new batsman - 61/5. Manesh was given ball from the other end with a task to finish. First ball had the middle stump of the opening danger which we had on crease – 62/6. Second ball had another one – but this time off stump of the incoming batsman – 62/7. On the verge of a hatrick – but missed it. We had the sense of a low score now. Three more to go. Johnson struck on next over with a well judged catch by Ramesh to take the 8th – 68/8. Next over Manesh came back to finish the wagging tail by double strike in 3rd and 4th ball – Both bowled and we have had a good start with IIT Alumini 71 All Out in 21.4 overs. Good start.. ! Excellent contribution from all bowlers and fielders… !

Pick of the bowlers were Manesh (4.4 Overs – 14/4), Johnson (5 Overs – 16/2), Mani (5 overs – 14/1) and Vishnu (4 overs – 10/0).

Now rest of the job was left to our Batsmen. Good chance of playing for 10 points as each point will be crucial in end of the year. We have decided for that and our regular opening pair walked out to bat. As usual Ramesh was in his “Sehwag” mode and hit two huge sixes. But couldn’t last much as deceived by a slow ball and was caught and bowled – 20/1. Ramesh – 14 runs(12 balls, 2 X 6)

On the other hand Mohamed Ghouse was playing fluently with his usual drives and taking lot of singles to rotate strike. Our ever reliable Bobby was promoted to 1 down to speed up and finish the match. Both were brilliant with the bat and were going smoothly to finish the game. The scores were leveled. 71/1 in 11 overs. Thanks to Bobby and Ghouse for fast scoring with singles, two and threes. Unlucky Mohamed went for a winning shot and mis judged to get bowled. Otherwise his average would have been more better. 20 Runs (31 balls). Mani walked in to finish the game in very next ball. We are 72/2 in 11.2 overs and leaving enough time for a friendly in same ground .
A convincing victory and 10 points gain… !!!
Bobby remained unbeaten with 24* runs (23 balls, 2 X 4) and Mani 1* run (1 ball)