To start, I would like to apologise to all players of Mershtam for the delay in starting the game.
The game did not start until 14:00 and that meant two things, all parties that arrived at the club well in advance were visibly disappointed with the proceedings and that OTCC would be penalised for the amount of overs that could have been bowled during the lost 30 minutes. The later could have affected the out come of the game on another day.
The OTCC skipper Vinod won the toss and after a successful win batting first last week, stuck to the winning formula and asked Mershtam to bowl. Regular opener Mukesh was missing and Rajesh was sent in as a replacement. A very orthodox start ensured and Rajesh played very well and looked like getting that ever elusive first half century, his highest score being 40 from 58 games he played, a let down for the flashes of brilliance he sometimes displays.
Anthony was not his fluent self and was struggling with his timing on the other end but kept going which was the important part. Both put on a very good partnership of 40 runs for the first wicket before Rajesh was out. Anthony also soon departed making 18, Praveen and Sadiq joined in the middle, Sadiq went in and batted like he was on steroids, he particularly took a liking to the left arm seamer who he consistently lofted merrily for boundaries from of the wicket. Praveen on the was all class, driving the ball and cutting it with amazing timing to the boundary, both had put on a solid partnership of 71 run when Sadiq could not resist the nagging slow leg spin of David Loader, he played well for his 35, which just like Rajesh’s 20 had come at run a ball.
Jeewan went in to join Praveen who was in the form of his life and was handling both spin and pace with finesse, both put on a 82 run partnership when Jeewan wan caught behind for 32, Praveen would go on to make a magnificent 80 not out and the team declared on 217 off 42 overs.
The teas were pathetic, we felt embarrassed to be the home team offering teas
Game underway and Mershtam got off the worst possible start when their opener hit an over pitched ball from Fareed straight to cover. Vinod and Fareed had started proceedings for the Tiffs, both seemed in good rhythm and bowled well but after the initial break through, found it hard to get another wicket. Pramod was introduced and bowled well, it was not until Vinod decided to bowl an over to change ends for Pramod with the score on 40 that the Tiffs would celebrate again. Vinod ended up bowling a beautiful over and the score went from 40-1 to 40-4 after that over, this was the defining moment of this innings. Deepak Sharma, the new boy failed to impress with this off spinners, fair to him, he was playing after a long break.
Praveen, the boy with the golden arm was introduced and Pramod persisted at the other end, as always Praveen bowled a strangling line and length and picked up 4 wickets for a miserly 20 runs, the most important wicket being that of the set left handed batsman who played well for is 47. Pramod also chipped in with the important wicket of the youngster who was playing as if he was paying in the nets, it was beautiful to watch. A great team effort this time around by the Tiffs, although Praveen dominated the whole game, there were lot of supporting roles, the catching was good, the batting was solid and Vinod as always picket up a bunch of wickets. Anthony did a good job substituting for Mukesh as wicket keeper and held on to all his catches.
The game was wrapped up in 34 over, a win by 83 runs.
Wow’s and oh No’s
Solid Batting Performance, no hiccups
Great catching by the SUB (Praveen)
3 Wickets in an over by Vinod
Praveen hitting David Loader for 4 Sixes during his 80*
Players not arriving by the designated time of 12:30
The Teas
Player Unavailability