The match was against Cheena's team, for the lack of any other names. Alfonso saw 10 of the 'da freaks assembling today for the game with the likes of Maddy, Vicky, Mani, Vivek, Jagan, Yogi, Suresh, Balaji. Fred and Kail. We got one more guy on the field.
The opposition opted to bat first. A dream start as the first ball from Jagan yielded a wicket, clean bowled. I understand that the player who got out is an important player for them and often get them to a good start. As I had been saying, Jagan looks in great form with the ball and he proved his worth in this match as well. Suresh and Jagan bowled a tight first spell of 4 overs in which the opposition was able to get only 14 and losing a wicket. I was given the ball, looked like a test of skill, which I miserably failed as I gave away 7 runs including a boundary. To my defense, it was a catch that Balaji failed to collect and aided to the boundary. Other than that I could do a lot better. Back to the game, Vicky's first two overs cost him 15 runs but he managed to pick up a wicket, a beautiful low catch by Kailash at square leg, and there was a run out as well. Highlight of those two overs was the switch-hit six by one of the batsmen. Mani, Jagan and Suresh controlled the remaining overs and ensured that we were chasing only 70 runs in 14 overs.
Our batting has been our Achilles' heals. We are often criticized for losing too many wickets in the early overs. This game was different. Yogi and Fred started the innings very steadily. Freddie was looking fresh even after running for 5 overs without a bye-runner. Just when Freddie was looking dangerous, he got out bowled to a slow off cutter. And we read 22 for 1 in 5 overs. Kailash came in next and looked nervous as usual. I just told him that they were bowling at full length and if he wanted to swing, cover his stumps first so that if he missed, the ball will not hit the stumps. Not sure how much it helped, or if it helped at all but Kailash looked good, nervous but good. Highlight of his innings was a stunning pull for a boundary. Yogi was anchoring the innings and looked determined to be there and see us through. When Kailash got run out and we still needing 34 runs in 7 overs, in stepped our batting maestro, Vivek. The runs were still flowing without a problem for us and we hadn't taken any major risks either. Yogi eventually got out caught behind and in stepped Mani as we thought myself and Vivek in the middle would be a catastrophe waiting to happen. But Mani almost took Vivek's wicket off the very first ball he faced by trying to run for a non-existent single. But our batting maestro was unfazed. The moment he asked for a bye-runner, supporting role by Yogi, Vivek started teaching us all lessons on how to play cover drives, thru the ground or over the fielder's head, he looked terrific. When we needed 8 from 2.1 overs, Mani got out and I stepped in. Yogi and I ran like our lives depended on it and took our chances well. In the end we won by 6 wickets with 5 deliveries to spare. Vivek would have scored 12+ and I was there with 2.
It is always satisfying to chase and win and we managed to do just that. Hoping that our batting becomes more consistent.
Cheers,
Maddy for 'Da Freaks
No comments:
Post a Comment