Though the margin of defeat is 16 runs, we had 10 balls to spare and it must be said we had lost from a winning position. We lost the last 6 wickets for just 12 runs. In short, we choked. How else could I explain the team getting all out for 68 when we were cruising at 56-4 in the 9th over?? We needed 29 off 5 overs and we just lost our way.
Maddy skipped today's game. Freddie lost the toss and the opposition decided to bat. Mani and Suresh started off. We got a wicket in the first over as I took a catch in the deep mid-wicket off Mani. Suresh/Raghu combo produced a run out and Suresh rattled the sticks for the third wicket. But runs were leaking and they scored 26 off the first 4 overs.
Jagan bowled an ordinary 5th over giving away more than 10 runs and Sridar, kind of, emulated Jagan. But Sridar picked up a wicket and they were 50/4 in 6 overs. I bowled the 7th over and managed to dismiss the big left handed guy caught and bowled. They were getting runs easily though the wickets were falling. They had posted 73-5 in 9 overs. Then Raghu produced what I call a "lucky over" because he got 2 wickets, both off useless deliveries. Suresh took a catch in deep point and I took a catch behind the wicket. The former, was a short ball and the latter, a full toss. They were 77-7 after 10 overs. Suresh got 3 wickets in one over, the 12th over - two were caught behind and the third one was bowled. We were lucky to get them all out for 84 as a total of 100 was not beyond their reach.
We started off the chase with Jagan and Sudarshan. Both wanted to leave home early and they left the pitch early. Jagan was run out and Sudarshan caught down the leg side. Ram joined Yogesh in the middle and before he could do any damage, he was run out, which he thought was not out. But Freddie gave it out. Yogesh was finding his touch after a sedate start and with Raghu, he found an able ally to begin the fightback. We had stumbled to 21-3 after 5 overs. Raghu was in good form striking the ball well. Raghu even hit a six through widish long on. It was a great shot considering how effortless it was. Yogesh got out trying force the pace and Freddie joined Raghu. Freddie was equally severe on the bowling hitting fours on the leg side and we cruised to 56-4 in the 9th over. Thats when Raghu called Ram(running for Fred) for a non-existent run and Freddie was out. Raghu got out in the very next over. This was the turning point as the batsmen who came in (Myself, Sridar, Mani, Kailash and Suresh in that order) jus couldn't finish it off. 25 runs were needed off 4 overs. Sridar went for a wild swipe and was bowled. Mani got run out as he tried to take advantage of an overthrow [he says it was my fault, but I thought there was no run:-) ]. Kailash tried his best but fell for a reverse sweep and Suresh was bowled to leave me stranded at the other end. We eventually were all out for 68 in the 13th over.
The positives were Raghu and Freddie's batting. But the negatives were our lack of finishing skills and our bad ground fielding. I think its time we nominate one wicket keeper and stick to him rather than playing musical chairs. Today, the byes were on the higher side. These little things matter a lot on hindsight.
Lets hope we get over these next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment