Glenmore Cricket Club News story


Match Report: Glenmore 1st XI vs Kanata Panthers, Aug 10th

13 Aug 2013

What a difference a year makes. 12 months ago Glenmore were shell-shocked following a batting blitz from Kanata Panthers. There was no repeat performance at Inland Small on Saturday however, where it was raining wickets rather than boundaries.

In recent times Kanata Panthers have been a tough proposition for Glenmore 1st XI. Their powerful batting line-up proving too good to contain. So Jon Bray's team had plenty to prove as the 50 over league got back under way following the T20 break. An early start with some fielding practice got the boys warmed up. Whereas Glenmore had arrived early, Panthers arrived late, which meant they forfeited the toss and in the midday sunshine Bray and Alex Storey strode out to the centre. 

Although Panthers are recognized for their batting prowess, they also have a useful bowling attack and they certainly started well against Bray and Storey. Left armer Sohail and the slingy Zahid opened up for them and gave nothing away. Their accuracy meant a watchful, pedestrian start to the Glenmore innings, with just a square-cut four for Storey and a pulled four to Bray the only boundaries struck in the first eight overs. The introduction of spinner Saboor allowed the pair to rotate the strike a little more easily, and in the 15th over they took their partnership past fifty. 

The solid start to the innings came to an abrupt end when Nasir Khan came onto bowl from the northern end of the ground. His first delivery was full, Storey (22) slightly mis-timed his drive and Nasir took an exceptional, low, diving catch. Panthers had their breakthrough and they fully capitalized by demolishing the remainder of Glenmore's top order. Nasir continued to be the danger man, taking the first five wickets to fall, leaving Glenmore reeling on 88-5. He kept it simple by bowling full, but that was enough to account for Joubert (4, caught behind pushing at a wide one), Waseem Altaf (8, caught in the gully driving at a wide one), Ruwan (14, lbw playing across the line) and Bray (33, lbw). Once again Jon had batted patiently and with great concentration. His 33 came from 71 deliveries, but unfortunately the umpire's finger sent back to the sidelines.

Glenmore's innings was on it's knees when Reinhardt (7) offered some catching practice to long-on and a total of 150 looked to be a distant dream. But, they found a hero in the form of Sandeep Sahota. Sandy has often looked like making important contributions with the bat and this was his day. Rather than simply defending and playing out time he took the game by the scruff of the neck and attacked Panthers. He was busy at the crease, always looking to score, and played some wonderfully wristy shots to manoeuvre the ball into the gaps. Twice he hopped across his stumps to whip the ball off his hip to fine leg for four. This was a very mature knock from Sandy, as he defended when necessary but always looked to be positive, both in his shot selection and his running.

Of course, Sandy couldn't do it all by himself and he found some good support from Bijju and Asad. Although they only made 4 and 6 respectively, they faced a combined total of 33 deliveries and ensured the total kept on climbing. Sandy was eventually the last man out, clean bowled by Sohail for an excellent 43. By then the total had reached 171. Glenmore would have liked plenty more at the start but would have taken it at the half way stage.

Panthers' fast over rate meant the teams went straight back out after just ten minutes. This was just what Glenmore wanted following Panthers' 41 overs in the field on a hot day. Although they weren't defending a huge score, all the Glenmore boys knew a couple of early wickets would put the pressure right on Panthers. 

With Nasir Khan opening the innings the run rate was always likely to be fast, and he took 10 off Nathan Parr's opening over. However, his attacking style always gives you a chance and in Parr's second over he attempted a wild slog which went high to cover point. Thankfully Glenmore's safest pair of hands - Ruwan - was underneath it and he made no mistake. Panthers' danger man was out and Glenmore could feel an opportunity. Ruwan was in the action again shortly after, producing a perfect in-cutter to dismiss Sazid Khan lbw. Ruwan struggled a little to find his rhythm, but this was a superb delivery that would have knock out middle stump.

While 'Ruby' struggled to get into his groove from the northern end, Nathan Parr was steaming in from the Stoney Trail end. To have an opening bowler who is quick, moves the ball away and can produce toe-crushing yorkers as well as violent, accurate bouncers is a captain's dream! Parr delivers all of the above and on the Inland Small pitch is a real handful. None of the Panther's batting line-up looked at all comfortable against him and one by one they were knocked over. Ijaz couldn't deal with a short one and gloved it to Storey behind the stumps. Ali Abid was beaten for pace and clean bowled for 25. Silander had no options, tried to hit one over the top, and Joubert took a tricky catch going back at cover. 

With just a few minutes to go until the lunch break was taken, Reinhardt replaced Ruwan and immediately struck with a successful LBW shout. That left Panthers tottering at 83-6 at lunch. It had been a fantastic effort from Glenmore in the field, with Parr leading the way. But, on a fast-scoring ground it was far from over and Glenmore were hoping to finish things off as quickly as possible. Their dreams came true when incredibly it took just nine deliveries after lunch to win the game! Nathan produced a fantastic double-wicket maiden first up. A perfectly directed bouncer had Saboor in a real mess, the ball hit his glove and looped to Sandy at short leg. He then produced his best ball of the day, a fast out swinger which flew to Storey via a healthy edge. Parr finished with 6 for 35, an awesome spell of quick bowling.

That left Reinhardt to finish things off. He took the last two wickets in just three balls. The first thanks to a wild swing by Malik which sent the ball to Ruwan once again at point. And then a straight, full one was enough to beat Danish Ahmed and knock out middle. 

It was quite an incredible way to win the game and the Glenmore boys were absolutely delighted as they walked off. Parr was the hero with the ball, and was well supported by Ruwan (1-41) and Reinhardt (3-8), but again credit should go to Bray and Sandy who worked so hard to get Glenmore up to their total.

Well played Glenmore. Another memorable win.