Well, after dropping off the inlaws at the airport, going home for a bit and seeing if it would rain, I decided to go check out the game at Riley Park, thinking it would be a close call between a match and a rain-out. When we arrived, we were batting. Anjan was there with Bobby and the guys remaining were Bijju who was all padded up and ready to go, Ammar, John, and Avi.
Went around a said hello to the boys, and Alex and Rich, when the President informed me of some controversy over last game's report. Apparently, Jon Smith, who hasn't read the article, was miffed that his beautiful catch wasn't mentioned. And Tony was chafed that his sporting call to bring back the batsman who later torched us for at least 35 more runs wasn't mentioned. Well, thanks Tony. It was a great decision. I hope you boys are happy now. Anyway, on to the game!
Wasim, the wily captain changed up some of the lineup to shake things up and it was a sage decision in the end. Sandeep opened I was told and was in a great mood by the chatty nature while on the bench. He made a lively 22 so that was probably the cause of it. Adam Knox went down to his self confessed 'worst shot' he's ever played, holing out at mid-off. A similar fate befell Trevor. Two smart catches by the Cavaliers’ wicketkeeper accounted for Wasim and Marcus, neither of whom made may runs.
Despite the middle order collapse Anjan continued his excellent form and played comfortably for 63. He took his time early on, waiting for loose deliveries, before putting his foot down in the latter overs. He hit a few big shots to the leg side and played extremely well. However, as tiredness set in, he again ran himself out! It's becoming a bit of an issue with the ever improving Anjan.
Smithy, so that he won't be upset, did hit a nice cross batted 6; the ball was in the strikezone and Jon obliged. The stated goal on the bench was 150 runs but it wasn't to be since the last few batsmen wilted in the cool breezy conditions at Riley.
The fielding on Sunday was superb. Much better than last week. They were tight and gave away no singles. It was either the placing of the fielders or the length of the grass, which must have grown a good few centimeters. Bobby and Bijju opened the bowling and were swinging the ball well. Bijju missed a caught and bowled chance when his feet were cemented in the pitch causing him to lean agonizingly slowly to where the ball plopped before him. Bobby joined him a bit later doing the same thing at short extra cover. Bijju picked up two wickets, both with his dangerous slower ball. His first was caught at cover by Marcus, his second cleaning up the number three batsman. Marcus later took a second catch at cover - fortunately he was warmed up before taking the field by some excellent practice!
Our catching performance was easily our best of the season so far. Adam took two excellent catches which were painful to watch. One in the slip area where he didn't get his feet moving until the last possible second making a roll landing that gymnasts wouldn't be proud of. His second was even worse or better depending on who you talk to. He didn't get a great head start and then he stumbled on the pristine field of Riley and had to butterfly stroke his way and throw out his palm in desperation where the ball nestled in comfortably.
Ammar Maqsud, making his club debut, had a couple of overs work and once he settled down did some admirable bowling. But the man of the day was Sandeep Sahota. With figures of 6 for 3 it's hard not to argue with it. Having gained some confidence with the bat Sandy bowled beautifully throughout. He was accurate, gave the ball a big rip and was a constant threat.
The crowd (BJ, Rebecca, Storey, Jenkinson and Rich Harvey) moved into the sunshine and fortunately we did because we caught the play of the game from the perfect angle. Sandy positioned at square leg, dove nearly horizontally, caught a well hit ball with his one hand outstretched. And the crowd went nuts!!! Being airborne for a bit must have made him think a little, perhaps he has a fear of heights, or a fear of hurting his ribs. For an instant that thought entered his mind and then he came crashing down to earth and when he did, the ball popped out of his hand like a gopher sticking his head out of the hole. And the crowd groaned. But Sandy banished all fears of rib pain and heights out of his head and fired the ball to Trevor who behind the stumps, ran out the batsman for the easiest wicket of his life. And the crowd went wild! The batsman was three of four yards out of the crease, hands over his face in disbelief at Sandy's catch. Or non-catch. His partner never let him in on the fact that the ball had been dropped.
The mercy rule was instated on the final wicket for a stumping that was close. If he was in it didn't matter because they weren't climbing out of the hole that GCC had dug for them. The end came rapidly with Sandy claiming a hat-trick to finish off the innings. The final wicket coming thanks to a smart stumping by Trevor. The boys went wild in the middle as they celebrated a remarkable win, bowling Cavaliers out for just 29. Great work guys! Jenko also went nuts as the umpire’s finger went up at square leg, dashing out onto the field, moustache blowing in the breeze.
Honorable mention to Bijju who had a great game. It was Bijju who knocked around the Cavaliers’ opening batsman who, by the sounds of it wasn't wearing a box, and then proceeded to hit him on the elbow and when he was bowled was seen trying to hide the tears.