A worthwhile trip to Springfield.
A Sonics Cricket Column - Springfield CC Vs Sonics CC
The match started on a good note for us - a good toss to lose. Springfield CC decided to bat. Either they didnt do their homework, or maybe, they were just playing to their strengths, dont know which.
The new ball was shared by Hasan Khan and Adnan. Both the bowlers bowled very good opening spells, and Hasan was again unlucky, going wicketless. Adnan provided the breakthrough, by removing Hasmukh Patel, and a couple of overs later, bowled a beauty, that lifted off a length, landing very close to the off stump line. The only way Riaz Shaikh could have safely played it, was to leave it alone, which he didnt. And Muzaffar, behind the wickets, did the rest.
After the initial breakthroughs, there was a lull in the wicket taking department. So Captain Muzzie, brought Spin Master Gogo Shakir (if he's bowling spin the first place. Nobody has a clue as to what he's bowling, including the poor batsmen ! ).
The first to go was Samir Patel. Again, the special ball, that pitches off good length, and hurries into the batsman, before he can even blink his eye.
The second to go was Manish Patel, getting his pads plumb in front to one of Shakir's mystery deliveries.
And third was Imran Syed, again, had no clue as to where the ball went until he heard the noise of ball and wood meeting behind him. Wicket number 3 for Spin Master Gogo.
By now, the Springfield captain, Siva, was playing a patient knock, with some good support from his other team mates.
Arun and Nikhil, were bowling and we couldnt quite get a breakthrough, until Arun struck, with a very good delivery, that took the edge and Muzzie took a well judged catch.
Muzaffar came onto the attack, and I filled in the wicket keeper's slot.
I've got to admit, keeping wickets is indeed a lot of fun. The last time I kept wickets was a good 15 years ago !
Not being able to get a breakthrough, Spin Master Gogo was brought onto the attack, and immediate results followed.
Special 'Hifzur' deliveries were being suggested to Shakir, and they always produce the desired result. Since this is a public medium, I shall refrain from explaining what is a 'Hifzur' delivery, but I shall say this much - it doesnt give me much pleasure at all, when this ball is suggested ! But then again, I guess I should be glad that i'm contributing to my team's success in an entirely different way, thanx to Shakir !!!
And keeping wickets when Shakir is bowling, is not an easy task at all !!! I think I have a feeling about what went on Nayan Mongia's mind when he kept wickets for Anil Kumble.
The 'Hifzur' deliveries produced two wickets, and a variation of it, uprooted the offstump of Ravi Mallady.
Shakir's spell came to an end, much to the relief of the Springfield team, but the damage had already been done. Shakir ended up with career best figures of 6/19, and his second 5 wicket haul in this season. It needs to be noted that, in this cricket league, we play 40 over matches, and each bowler's quota is 8 overs. So in 8 overs, 6/19 is no ordinary feat.
Vinay, who is nursing a hair line fracture on one of his toes, tried his arm at off spin, and in my opinion, he's much better bowling off spin than medium pace. Vinay finished off the last batsman, getting the ball to turn in from outside off stump. The batsman beaten by pace and turn, found the offstump gone.
A nice sumptious meal of Puri and Channa, thanks to Mrs Hasmukh Patel followed after the match. And the Sonics innings started.
Mad Max Muni and Spin Master Gogo opened our attack. Shakir was back in the pavilion at the end of the second over, being bowled. And I was asked to go in 1 down (I wanted to go at 4, but I can never say no to a team requirement, and went 1 down when Muzzie asked me to go 1 down). Kunj Patel, a left armer, bowled fantastically, getting the ball to swing both ways.
An over later, I was out, gone lbw, to one that pitched (in my opinion !), on the leg stump and going down the legside, and I, having stretched completely forward, couldnt believe, Senthil (the umpire) gave me out. Anyway, in cricket, as in life, shit happens, and I had to go back. Moreover, I hold Senthil in high regard, as one of the best umpires in the league. I guess I was indeed plumb in front.
Shakti, who's proving to be a great bat, and fielder, played very well, and gave ample strike to Mad Max Muni.
Muni, who started cautiously, started freeing his shoulders, and pulled some glorious shots. One such murderous shot, fetched a four, and another one, that was pulled off his pads, fetched 6.
In the end, both Shakti and Muni, threw their wickets away, and were back, within a few overs between them.
Hasan and Vinay, played well, out in the middle, with Vinay, again being very cautious. I've noticed that every time Vinay plays cautiously, he gets uncomfortable and gets out soon, and this time was no exception. He played a Kunj delivery onto his stumps, and was back, after scoring 9 useful runs. Hasan, who I think is the only player in our team to play a cover drive to perfection, at the other end was looking good. But a lapse of concentration, brought him back. We looked close to the total, but not very close.
By now, Arun and Nikhil were playing, and they were playing well. Scampering for singles. Arun especially made some very good calls, stealing valuable singles. But a smart move by the Springfield captain in bringing Riaz, an off spinner to counter Arun, a left hander, provided them the breakthrough. Arun skiered a catch to short midwicket and was back.
We were down to 7 wickets, and needed 30 something runs, with only Rehan, as the established batsman besides Muzzie.
And the Springfield team (which we heard them lament later !), were sniffing victory.
But that was before Muzzaffar started his counter attack.
An array of thundering pull shots later (one of which, should have seen Muzzie back in the pavilion, and luckily for us, was dropped, and unluckily for their fielder, was dropped right on his face. The ball cut his upper lip, and the bleeding stopped after a little while).
A win always is good, and makes one feel good, but when the win is in an away match, where we had to drive 3 1/2 hrs, it felt even better.
Rehan did not get to bat at all. But then again, he didnt mind either, we won.
The happy note of the evening, was sealed by a funny comment from Hasmukh Patel of Springfield CC - " It's not fair, the way you guys are playing. With 7 wickets down, we were thinking we could win, and you send your commandos after the 7th wicket to finish the game"
The drive back was very pleasantful, with a stopover at the McDonald's at Lincoln, IL, for a quick, well deserved treat/meal for everybody. I need to mention here, that this is by far, the best McDonald's in Illinois. Great smooth textured buns, mouth watering golden crispy French Fries (or should I call them Freedom Fries??), and tasty, fresh Apple Pies (hmm, yummy !!)
Man of the Match - Is there any doubt?
The match started on a good note for us - a good toss to lose. Springfield CC decided to bat. Either they didnt do their homework, or maybe, they were just playing to their strengths, dont know which.
The new ball was shared by Hasan Khan and Adnan. Both the bowlers bowled very good opening spells, and Hasan was again unlucky, going wicketless. Adnan provided the breakthrough, by removing Hasmukh Patel, and a couple of overs later, bowled a beauty, that lifted off a length, landing very close to the off stump line. The only way Riaz Shaikh could have safely played it, was to leave it alone, which he didnt. And Muzaffar, behind the wickets, did the rest.
After the initial breakthroughs, there was a lull in the wicket taking department. So Captain Muzzie, brought Spin Master Gogo Shakir (if he's bowling spin the first place. Nobody has a clue as to what he's bowling, including the poor batsmen ! ).
The first to go was Samir Patel. Again, the special ball, that pitches off good length, and hurries into the batsman, before he can even blink his eye.
The second to go was Manish Patel, getting his pads plumb in front to one of Shakir's mystery deliveries.
And third was Imran Syed, again, had no clue as to where the ball went until he heard the noise of ball and wood meeting behind him. Wicket number 3 for Spin Master Gogo.
By now, the Springfield captain, Siva, was playing a patient knock, with some good support from his other team mates.
Arun and Nikhil, were bowling and we couldnt quite get a breakthrough, until Arun struck, with a very good delivery, that took the edge and Muzzie took a well judged catch.
Muzaffar came onto the attack, and I filled in the wicket keeper's slot.
I've got to admit, keeping wickets is indeed a lot of fun. The last time I kept wickets was a good 15 years ago !
Not being able to get a breakthrough, Spin Master Gogo was brought onto the attack, and immediate results followed.
Special 'Hifzur' deliveries were being suggested to Shakir, and they always produce the desired result. Since this is a public medium, I shall refrain from explaining what is a 'Hifzur' delivery, but I shall say this much - it doesnt give me much pleasure at all, when this ball is suggested ! But then again, I guess I should be glad that i'm contributing to my team's success in an entirely different way, thanx to Shakir !!!
And keeping wickets when Shakir is bowling, is not an easy task at all !!! I think I have a feeling about what went on Nayan Mongia's mind when he kept wickets for Anil Kumble.
The 'Hifzur' deliveries produced two wickets, and a variation of it, uprooted the offstump of Ravi Mallady.
Shakir's spell came to an end, much to the relief of the Springfield team, but the damage had already been done. Shakir ended up with career best figures of 6/19, and his second 5 wicket haul in this season. It needs to be noted that, in this cricket league, we play 40 over matches, and each bowler's quota is 8 overs. So in 8 overs, 6/19 is no ordinary feat.
Vinay, who is nursing a hair line fracture on one of his toes, tried his arm at off spin, and in my opinion, he's much better bowling off spin than medium pace. Vinay finished off the last batsman, getting the ball to turn in from outside off stump. The batsman beaten by pace and turn, found the offstump gone.
A nice sumptious meal of Puri and Channa, thanks to Mrs Hasmukh Patel followed after the match. And the Sonics innings started.
Mad Max Muni and Spin Master Gogo opened our attack. Shakir was back in the pavilion at the end of the second over, being bowled. And I was asked to go in 1 down (I wanted to go at 4, but I can never say no to a team requirement, and went 1 down when Muzzie asked me to go 1 down). Kunj Patel, a left armer, bowled fantastically, getting the ball to swing both ways.
An over later, I was out, gone lbw, to one that pitched (in my opinion !), on the leg stump and going down the legside, and I, having stretched completely forward, couldnt believe, Senthil (the umpire) gave me out. Anyway, in cricket, as in life, shit happens, and I had to go back. Moreover, I hold Senthil in high regard, as one of the best umpires in the league. I guess I was indeed plumb in front.
Shakti, who's proving to be a great bat, and fielder, played very well, and gave ample strike to Mad Max Muni.
Muni, who started cautiously, started freeing his shoulders, and pulled some glorious shots. One such murderous shot, fetched a four, and another one, that was pulled off his pads, fetched 6.
In the end, both Shakti and Muni, threw their wickets away, and were back, within a few overs between them.
Hasan and Vinay, played well, out in the middle, with Vinay, again being very cautious. I've noticed that every time Vinay plays cautiously, he gets uncomfortable and gets out soon, and this time was no exception. He played a Kunj delivery onto his stumps, and was back, after scoring 9 useful runs. Hasan, who I think is the only player in our team to play a cover drive to perfection, at the other end was looking good. But a lapse of concentration, brought him back. We looked close to the total, but not very close.
By now, Arun and Nikhil were playing, and they were playing well. Scampering for singles. Arun especially made some very good calls, stealing valuable singles. But a smart move by the Springfield captain in bringing Riaz, an off spinner to counter Arun, a left hander, provided them the breakthrough. Arun skiered a catch to short midwicket and was back.
We were down to 7 wickets, and needed 30 something runs, with only Rehan, as the established batsman besides Muzzie.
And the Springfield team (which we heard them lament later !), were sniffing victory.
But that was before Muzzaffar started his counter attack.
An array of thundering pull shots later (one of which, should have seen Muzzie back in the pavilion, and luckily for us, was dropped, and unluckily for their fielder, was dropped right on his face. The ball cut his upper lip, and the bleeding stopped after a little while).
A win always is good, and makes one feel good, but when the win is in an away match, where we had to drive 3 1/2 hrs, it felt even better.
Rehan did not get to bat at all. But then again, he didnt mind either, we won.
The happy note of the evening, was sealed by a funny comment from Hasmukh Patel of Springfield CC - " It's not fair, the way you guys are playing. With 7 wickets down, we were thinking we could win, and you send your commandos after the 7th wicket to finish the game"
The drive back was very pleasantful, with a stopover at the McDonald's at Lincoln, IL, for a quick, well deserved treat/meal for everybody. I need to mention here, that this is by far, the best McDonald's in Illinois. Great smooth textured buns, mouth watering golden crispy French Fries (or should I call them Freedom Fries??), and tasty, fresh Apple Pies (hmm, yummy !!)
Man of the Match - Is there any doubt?
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12:55 AM
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