Glenmore Cricket Club News story


Match Report: Glenmore T20 vs Kanata Panthers, July 7th

11 Jul 2013

Glenmore continued their sequence of defeats to the hands of Kanata Panthers with an agonizing loss at Westwinds. Glenmore fought hard all the way but in the end one man was the difference between the sides.
Glenmore batted first for the third game in a row and this time it was Nathan Parr, thrust up the order, who opened with Storey. Nathan had been sent up to give the innings some early impetus and it paid off immediately. The hard swinging Aussie crashed a huge six over mid-wicket off Farahan and later top edged a hook for another maximum over the keeper's head. The run rate was touching 8 when Parr fell on his sword, caught for an eye catching 24 from just 15 balls. Storey had been less flashy but had accumulated 25 when he again gave away a promising start. Again trying to lift the tempo Storey was out edging through to the keeper attempting a big shot over cover.
Sandeep was bowled and Reinhardt was lbw (both first ball) and Glenmore's good start looked in danger of being for nothing. However, then came a superb partnership between Iqbal and Anjan. Together they put on a quick fire 40. Anjan, struggling to walk let alone run, was the dominant partner. The old adage says to beware the injured batsman and so it proved again today as Anjan smashed the bowling to all parts. Most notable were some beautiful pick ups over mid-wicket. 
Iqbal had been patient at the start of his innings but soon got into his stride, making an solid 17. When he went there was another mini-collapse, with Asad, Wasim and Hardeep all returning to the sidelines quickly. Batting at number 10, Nabeel gave the innings an extra push towards it's end. He had recently made a rapid 30 odd for the Taverners and continued his good form, whacking 12 from just 6 deliveries. He shared a valuable partnership of 33 with Anjan to get the total up to 148. Anjan ended unbeaten on 48. It was a truly fantastic knock, especially given his knee injury. Anjan really has been in excellent form this season and we all hope it will continue throughout the summer.
Glenmore's total was given a bonus 6 runs due to Panther's slow over rate and so 154 was the score to defend.
Nathan Parr started well with the new ball, steaming in and twice beating the defence of Nasir Khan. Nasir has been a thorn in Glenmore's side ever since he went to Panthers (don't forget, he made 302 not out against G1 in 2012) and today was no exception. The big hitting Khan showed his power and strength by battering the Glenmore bowlers all around Westwinds. At the other end Ali Abid looked all at sea and had made only 1 when the fifty came up. Poor old Hardeep was on the receiving end of most of Khan's big shots and his three overs went for 53.
There was relief all round when Khan was finally dismissed for 77 (from just 30 balls). Sandy had been brought on and his off spin did the trick. Nasir hit the ball down long on's throat where Iqbal took a good catch.
At this point the game changed. With Khan gone the blitzkrieg was over and runs suddenly became hard to find. Sandeep and Wasim Altaf, Glenmore's spin twins, were bowling in tandem and both were making life tough for the Panther's batsmen. As the runs dried up so the wickets started to fall. Altaf picked up two, while Parr returned to the attack to remove Saboor. 
Suddenly the game was in the balance. Panthers needed 36 from 42 balls but still wickets were falling. Iqbal had Malik caught behind (one of three catches held by Storey behind the stumps) and when Nathan and Reinhardt combined to run out Ali G, Glenmore were beginning to believe. Reinhardt had been brought into the attack and he too struck thanks to a fantastic catch by Nabeel at long off. Glenmore's fielding was excellent all day and certainly helped out the bowlers.
At one point Panthers needed 13 from 10 balls with just 3 wickets in hand. However, from that moment the game got away from Glenmore. The next four balls went for 11 runs and only a miracle could prevent Panthers in the final over. There was a small miracle in the final over however, with Nathan Parr taking a truly astounding catch at cover off Iqbal's bowling. Nathan ran, dived full stretch and took a screamer one handed which brought applause from the crowd. But, next ball Panther's were the ones celebrating as they picked off the winning runs.
It was a tough loss for Glenmore who had fought so hard throughout. But, they can take plenty of positives from the game and only the insane hitting of Nasir prevented them from securing the win.
Special congratulations to Anjan, not only for his superb innings but also for leading the team so well in Pasha's absence.