Victory is sweet, an emphatic victory.....sweeter.
Kush and Atif set up Sonics for first win of the season....
Having lost all our first three matches, every member of the team was hungry for a win, and boy, did we win in style, in our first ever day/night encounter!
Atif, lost the toss, and the Rockers captain, decided to bat first. And it was a good toss to lose.
Hasan opened the attack, and Kush attacked from the Walnut Street end. I guess, the catch I took in the earlier match at Milwaukee, kindof made me a Point specialist, and I was asked to stand at point again in this match.
All, credit to Kush for setting up the field for his first over, and he asked me to go to deep point instead of point. Third ball into the over, and the batsman slashes, and thanks to Kush pushing me deep into point, I took a very relatively easy catch. The Kush/Hifzur combo drew first blood again !!! Nothing can pump up a team more, than an early wicket, and we were charged up.
Kush's second over of the match, and he strikes again. Batsman two gone. Hasan Khan, kept attacking relentlessly from the other end, and he found his form, in this match.
Next over, Hasan had the number four batsman, bowled to a beauty of a yorker. Standing at point, I could see the ball knocking the stumps first, and the batsman's bat, a fraction of a second late, trying to dig out the yorker. I believe, it must have been Hasan's trademark inswinging delivery, and a yorker at that, would have been unplayable.
And then Kush picked up one more wicket.
Our fielding was excellent in this match, and we stopped the singles, and stopped the ones from being converted into twos. Needless to say, the batsmen were being put under pressure.
By now, the Kush/Hasan combo were attacking relentlessly, and it was a beauty to watch, Kush's intimidatory bowling, pitching the ball short, and either surprising the batsman, or tempting him to pull it, especially the rock solid Lawrence.
By now, Adnan Khan came on first change, and was bowling well, despite a few wides. But key thing was, he didnt bowl short this time, and was really troubling the batsmen, when he pitched the ball up. And this was something I've always believed in Adnan. If he pitched the ball up, with the swing he's able to generate, he would have the batsmen guessing quite a bit.
Atif, persisted with Kush, to attack, inspite of suggestions to use Kush later in the end overs. A good and shrewd move by the captain, and it paid its dividends. Kush was being encouraged for a 5 wicket haul, and I did my bit, by promising him lollipops if he got a 5 wicket haul ;)
Aamir, who did a splendid save at second slip, fractured his little finger. And he actually persisted, and took a good catch at the same position two balls later. It was after the dismissal that he decided to go off the field to get medical attention, and Madurai Veerar Muni, came in as his substitute.
(It was sad to see Aamir's hand encased in a cast, and even more sad to hear that he'll be out of action for six weeks. We'll miss a great team player.)
Kush got one more wicket before his spell ended, and a magnificient spell it was. He finished with 4/16 off his seven overs.
Spin Master Gogo - Shakeir was brought on from the other end, and he took a wicket as well.
Post break session, Atif, comes on to bowl, and in a beauty of an over, had 3 batsmen out, with a chance of hat trick.
All that remained was one wicket, and Spin Master Gogo, bowling from the other end, got the batsman to drive, and of all people, the safest pair of hands in the field, Atif, dropped it. One ball later, the batsman tried to hit over the top again, and this time, Adnan, (maybe fearing that Atif will drop it again ;) ), rushed in, dived forward, and took a stunning single handed catch, as he was sliding forward.
That pretty much wrapped up Rockers CC, being bundled out for 66 runs, and we finished them off in 22 overs.
Captain Atif, finished with 3/3 off 2 overs !!
Sonics innings started with me and Vinay opening the attack. And I as usual, opened the innings. First ball, was left, going way down the leg side for a wide. Second ball, and I knew in my mind, that this one will come straight, instead of an off stump/outside the off stump attack (Yet, I failed to act on my instinct!!). The ball started somewhere around middle and off, and swung in late. A yorker. Having taken the middle stump guard, I was plumb in front.
Arun, came in next, and it surprised me. While walking into the field, he asked to use my bat, and I gave it to him. And boy, the only thing that made me feel better after my dismissal, was watching Arun bat so well, and I was happier considering his runs were coming off my bat !!!
Arun and Vinay, played a very cautious innings early, and once he got his eye in, Arun, started timing the ball really well. The two boundaries he hit, were infused with timing and power.
Vinay, was being intimidated by the bowlers, who were bowling short at him, and I'm sure, he must have been tempted as hell to pull them. I guess this was also their plan. But Vinay, exhibiting excellent temperament, refused to be lured into their trap, and weaved, and weaved.
A short while later, I was asked to go in as a leg umpire, and being someone who loves to be in the middle, in any role, I jumped at the offer, and was off as the leg umpire.
Arun perished, trying to force the pace of the innings, and Vinay was joined by Mr.Dependable - Naseer.
Naseer and Vinay started to build the innings again after the set back of Arun's dismissal, and in one instance, there was a commotion in the middle. Vinay flicked at a ball, and the captain of Rockers who was at square leg, took a brilliant one handed catch. Only thing was, the ball came off the pitch, and I saw it too. Unfortunately, the umpire's view was blocked by the bowler, and the umpire asked me. I flatly refused the appeal, and told the captain why I thought so. It apparently didnt go down well with them, but I held my ground.
A few balls later, Vinay got out, though he was gesturing to the umpire that he wasnt, as the ball went off his arm. Naseer was joined by Spin Master Gogo, and Shakeir made his first runs in the season.
A few overs later, a similar fracas. Naseer tried to pull at a short pitched delivery, and the ball hit something on the way to the keeper. The umpire again wasnt sure, and asked me for my opinion. I knew the ball hit something, and I thought it was his arm guard, but wasnt sure. So I asked Naseer himself, if he was out. He replied in the negative. And so the matter stood there. The Rockers team was even bitter about this. But heck I cared. One of their bowlers was clearly chucking, and they should be lucky that I didnt call the guy for that. If this was a close match, I wouldnt have thought twice about it. But only 67 to win, off 35 overs, I just let it pass.
Shakeir was out a few overs later, trying to force the pace of the innings, as we were running out of light, and surprisingly the day/night arrangement was surprisingly only for the day I believe. There was no official to switch on the flood lights!!!
Naseer was joined by Muzzie, and boy was he raring to go. With only 11 or so remaining to win, a flurry of runs, and a boundary later, we needed only two to win. And Muzzie, finished the innings and the victory in style, by hoisting the bowler for a six over long on. Match over. Sonics Win !!!
This match, we can proudly claim to have outclassed the other team in all departments. Bowling, fielding and batting. And finally our team played to its real potential.
And in my opinion, just because we won, doesnt mean we need to take it for granted that we did well. We need to pull our socks up in the number of extras we gave in this match. Though it wasnt too high, but I think it contributed atleast 20% to their total. We need to work on this a little. Not to mention my own performance as a batsman. I need to pull up my socks as well, and put on a better performance next time. With, my passion for playing this game, I'm gonna get myself fitter, by giving up my vice, and working out like crazy before the next game.
But overall, a very very satisfying win.
Besides, the members of the team who contributed to the win today, I would also go as far as to say that, the players who didnt play also contributed. Muni, Musheer, and Milan, who agreed to sit out for the match, contributed in their own way, by letting someone else play, who contributed to the result, with either a catch, a stopped single, or a boundary. So, the thanks, goes out to you guys as well.
P.S - Kush, even though you didnt get the 5 wickets as per our deal, due to the win, I'm in a very benevolent mood. I'll get you your lollipop - the one with the chewing gum in the middle ;)
Having lost all our first three matches, every member of the team was hungry for a win, and boy, did we win in style, in our first ever day/night encounter!
Atif, lost the toss, and the Rockers captain, decided to bat first. And it was a good toss to lose.
Hasan opened the attack, and Kush attacked from the Walnut Street end. I guess, the catch I took in the earlier match at Milwaukee, kindof made me a Point specialist, and I was asked to stand at point again in this match.
All, credit to Kush for setting up the field for his first over, and he asked me to go to deep point instead of point. Third ball into the over, and the batsman slashes, and thanks to Kush pushing me deep into point, I took a very relatively easy catch. The Kush/Hifzur combo drew first blood again !!! Nothing can pump up a team more, than an early wicket, and we were charged up.
Kush's second over of the match, and he strikes again. Batsman two gone. Hasan Khan, kept attacking relentlessly from the other end, and he found his form, in this match.
Next over, Hasan had the number four batsman, bowled to a beauty of a yorker. Standing at point, I could see the ball knocking the stumps first, and the batsman's bat, a fraction of a second late, trying to dig out the yorker. I believe, it must have been Hasan's trademark inswinging delivery, and a yorker at that, would have been unplayable.
And then Kush picked up one more wicket.
Our fielding was excellent in this match, and we stopped the singles, and stopped the ones from being converted into twos. Needless to say, the batsmen were being put under pressure.
By now, the Kush/Hasan combo were attacking relentlessly, and it was a beauty to watch, Kush's intimidatory bowling, pitching the ball short, and either surprising the batsman, or tempting him to pull it, especially the rock solid Lawrence.
By now, Adnan Khan came on first change, and was bowling well, despite a few wides. But key thing was, he didnt bowl short this time, and was really troubling the batsmen, when he pitched the ball up. And this was something I've always believed in Adnan. If he pitched the ball up, with the swing he's able to generate, he would have the batsmen guessing quite a bit.
Atif, persisted with Kush, to attack, inspite of suggestions to use Kush later in the end overs. A good and shrewd move by the captain, and it paid its dividends. Kush was being encouraged for a 5 wicket haul, and I did my bit, by promising him lollipops if he got a 5 wicket haul ;)
Aamir, who did a splendid save at second slip, fractured his little finger. And he actually persisted, and took a good catch at the same position two balls later. It was after the dismissal that he decided to go off the field to get medical attention, and Madurai Veerar Muni, came in as his substitute.
(It was sad to see Aamir's hand encased in a cast, and even more sad to hear that he'll be out of action for six weeks. We'll miss a great team player.)
Kush got one more wicket before his spell ended, and a magnificient spell it was. He finished with 4/16 off his seven overs.
Spin Master Gogo - Shakeir was brought on from the other end, and he took a wicket as well.
Post break session, Atif, comes on to bowl, and in a beauty of an over, had 3 batsmen out, with a chance of hat trick.
All that remained was one wicket, and Spin Master Gogo, bowling from the other end, got the batsman to drive, and of all people, the safest pair of hands in the field, Atif, dropped it. One ball later, the batsman tried to hit over the top again, and this time, Adnan, (maybe fearing that Atif will drop it again ;) ), rushed in, dived forward, and took a stunning single handed catch, as he was sliding forward.
That pretty much wrapped up Rockers CC, being bundled out for 66 runs, and we finished them off in 22 overs.
Captain Atif, finished with 3/3 off 2 overs !!
Sonics innings started with me and Vinay opening the attack. And I as usual, opened the innings. First ball, was left, going way down the leg side for a wide. Second ball, and I knew in my mind, that this one will come straight, instead of an off stump/outside the off stump attack (Yet, I failed to act on my instinct!!). The ball started somewhere around middle and off, and swung in late. A yorker. Having taken the middle stump guard, I was plumb in front.
Arun, came in next, and it surprised me. While walking into the field, he asked to use my bat, and I gave it to him. And boy, the only thing that made me feel better after my dismissal, was watching Arun bat so well, and I was happier considering his runs were coming off my bat !!!
Arun and Vinay, played a very cautious innings early, and once he got his eye in, Arun, started timing the ball really well. The two boundaries he hit, were infused with timing and power.
Vinay, was being intimidated by the bowlers, who were bowling short at him, and I'm sure, he must have been tempted as hell to pull them. I guess this was also their plan. But Vinay, exhibiting excellent temperament, refused to be lured into their trap, and weaved, and weaved.
A short while later, I was asked to go in as a leg umpire, and being someone who loves to be in the middle, in any role, I jumped at the offer, and was off as the leg umpire.
Arun perished, trying to force the pace of the innings, and Vinay was joined by Mr.Dependable - Naseer.
Naseer and Vinay started to build the innings again after the set back of Arun's dismissal, and in one instance, there was a commotion in the middle. Vinay flicked at a ball, and the captain of Rockers who was at square leg, took a brilliant one handed catch. Only thing was, the ball came off the pitch, and I saw it too. Unfortunately, the umpire's view was blocked by the bowler, and the umpire asked me. I flatly refused the appeal, and told the captain why I thought so. It apparently didnt go down well with them, but I held my ground.
A few balls later, Vinay got out, though he was gesturing to the umpire that he wasnt, as the ball went off his arm. Naseer was joined by Spin Master Gogo, and Shakeir made his first runs in the season.
A few overs later, a similar fracas. Naseer tried to pull at a short pitched delivery, and the ball hit something on the way to the keeper. The umpire again wasnt sure, and asked me for my opinion. I knew the ball hit something, and I thought it was his arm guard, but wasnt sure. So I asked Naseer himself, if he was out. He replied in the negative. And so the matter stood there. The Rockers team was even bitter about this. But heck I cared. One of their bowlers was clearly chucking, and they should be lucky that I didnt call the guy for that. If this was a close match, I wouldnt have thought twice about it. But only 67 to win, off 35 overs, I just let it pass.
Shakeir was out a few overs later, trying to force the pace of the innings, as we were running out of light, and surprisingly the day/night arrangement was surprisingly only for the day I believe. There was no official to switch on the flood lights!!!
Naseer was joined by Muzzie, and boy was he raring to go. With only 11 or so remaining to win, a flurry of runs, and a boundary later, we needed only two to win. And Muzzie, finished the innings and the victory in style, by hoisting the bowler for a six over long on. Match over. Sonics Win !!!
This match, we can proudly claim to have outclassed the other team in all departments. Bowling, fielding and batting. And finally our team played to its real potential.
And in my opinion, just because we won, doesnt mean we need to take it for granted that we did well. We need to pull our socks up in the number of extras we gave in this match. Though it wasnt too high, but I think it contributed atleast 20% to their total. We need to work on this a little. Not to mention my own performance as a batsman. I need to pull up my socks as well, and put on a better performance next time. With, my passion for playing this game, I'm gonna get myself fitter, by giving up my vice, and working out like crazy before the next game.
But overall, a very very satisfying win.
Besides, the members of the team who contributed to the win today, I would also go as far as to say that, the players who didnt play also contributed. Muni, Musheer, and Milan, who agreed to sit out for the match, contributed in their own way, by letting someone else play, who contributed to the result, with either a catch, a stopped single, or a boundary. So, the thanks, goes out to you guys as well.
P.S - Kush, even though you didnt get the 5 wickets as per our deal, due to the win, I'm in a very benevolent mood. I'll get you your lollipop - the one with the chewing gum in the middle ;)
posted by Hifzur at
11:22 PM
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