Pleasant spring weather blessed our much anticipated first match. We were playing at home; as usual the pitch looked like it could do with a quick sort back and sides. Usually I would put in an Adam joke regarding rolling here; however since his spectacular inter- season BMI reduction I am denied this opportunity.
The majority of the opposition had come from a similar gene pool to us. The validity of the racial stereotyping of extravagant shots, poor fielding, drop catches and cheap wickets was going to be tested today. I will leave you to read the rest of the report to decide the result.
The opposition looked a strong outfit having finished at the top end of the table last season and having had an impressive 8 wicket victory over the team they played last week.
We were missing our premier Batsmen Usama who is nursing a broken thumb. We had Atif B and Saad making debuts.
Captain Hasib won the toss and elected to put the opposition into bat. Chanuska and Atif B took the new ball. Despite losing an early wicket the opposition got off to flying start rapidly getting to 60 against our seamers. The bowler’s figures could have been improved by support from the field. I done my part by taking a catch, cutting out some solidly hit cover drives and a spectacular effort in the gully. Even the normally cuttingly critical Grier gave his node of approval at my efforts. Aumran wanted in on the action and positioned himself in cow corner. The batsmen skied one up to him, only for the ball to fumble out of his hands. I guess some of us have it and some of us don’t.
It was time to turn to spin from Sammy and Hasib. Some tight bowling from the pair brought us back into the game. With the pressure they lost a few more wickets. Again with bad fielding and missed opportunities Deando Roxley eventually declared making 226-8 off 48.5 overs. It was a tough but not impossible run chase for us.
Aumran and Charley would open for us. Charley as per last season hauled out early to edge one to slips. Atif H to come in. Aumran and Atif matched each other dot for dot. And I mean dot for dot. The scorebook looked like a Braille version of war and peace. Realising Aumran was doing a Geoff Boycott Atif started playing some shots and quickly outscored his partner. Eventually Atif was bowled for 15.
In came Sammy to revive life into our innings. The pair put on a great partnership before Aumran was given out caught behind for a respectable 50. Sammy continued playing some good shots, fortunately being dropped on a few occasions. The rest of our middle order failed to match him and the required run rate continued to elevate.
The last over came; Sammy and I were at the crease. We needed 19 to win 14 for the winning draw. I hit the first 2 balls for four and things were looking good. Unfortunately I only managed a single off the next 2. Sammy had 2 balls to make 10 for the victory. The first ball was smashed straight and looking like a 6, unfortunately it dropped just short for 4. Six needed for the game of the last ball with Sammy at the crease. Although anything is possible, on this occasion legend was not written, however we did earn a respectable winning draw. Sammy made 96 not out.
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