Glenmore Cricket Club News story


Glenmore put up a good effort against Ex Elite's Predator's

23 May 2014

On a surprisingly sunny Victoria Day Glenmore matched up against the newly delegated former Elite team Predators. With the availability of players leaving the Glenmore 1st team with a rather long tail a concerted effort was required to keep Predators to an achievable total.

Dave Hope-Johnstone opened up from the City end, followed by Bobby and both overs went for double digits. DHJ for 13 and Bobby for 10 as Narinder and Akki both looked to dominate right from the start.

DHJ followed with a maiden and Bobby picked up Narinder to a super low catch by Adam at cover point and completed the second maiden in a row to put some pressure back on the Predators. DHJ then proceeded to only allow 10 more runs to be taken from his last 8 overs in a miserly spell of 0/23 that was unlucky not to produce several wickets. Bobby was unlucky next over having Akki dropped in the slips and then experiencing a bowler’s worst nightmare having the reprieved batsman smack 3 consecutive boundaries.

Ruwan took over from Bobby and was quickly into the action bowling an in cutting beauty to knock over Predator No. 3 Taha. Ruwan then quickly followed up with a second wicket removing the dangerous Akki caught by Bijju at mid-wicket. Predators were under the gun now and with DHJ in the middle of his mesmerizing spell Ruwan was reaping the rewards at the other end. Fahad gave up several chances one a return catch to Ruwan and a sharp chance to Bray at 1st slip both of which went down. The Predators skipper however did not seem concerned with capitalizing on these let offs and again hit a low return catch to Ruwan who this time scooped the ball up off the non-strikers foot to take the catch. Predators were 4/56 at drinks and looking in all sorts of trouble.

Jagan and Ajit steadied the ship after drinks with a solid partnership. Ali came on to replace DHJ but could not get a consistent line going and Jagan especially picked off the runs helping Predators to get back into the game. Richy was thrown the ball in hopes of slowing down the pace and breaking the partnership. Richy didn't disappoint picking up Ajit in his first over well caught by Jason at cover. In came Zeeshan to pair with Jagan and a partnership looked to be forming before Jagan skied one to Bray at gully as Richy picked up his second.

This brought Amin to the crease who proved to be the big difference in the Predators innings. Amin looked scratchy at first and we thought that a wicket was imminent. However he and Zeeshan put on the partnership of the innings. Both found the boundary on numerous occasions with Amin getting maximum 3 times. Richy continued to bowl well and was backed up by a great spell from Bijju. It was Richy that finally broke the partnership Removing Zeeshan who fell at cow corner to the ever reliable Ruwan. Amin continued to look dangerous as he worked 2's and defended good balls interspersed with big hits. Cleo came and went for a duck thanks to Jason who took a straightforward chance at close cover off Richy in his last over. Richy finished with the great figures of 4/31 from his 10.
After bowling his first 6 overs for only 21 runs Bijju finally struck removing Haroon for 8 and then finishing off the Predators innings with Shahbaaz picking out Adam at point. Bijju finished with 2/28 from his 8 overs, his best figures for Glenmore 1.

Amin stranded on 44 had guided Predators to a score of 200. With 43 wide’s offered up and 7 catches put down Glenmore should have kept Predators to no more than 160. As it was Glenmore has a lot of work to do to get past 200 on a thick and slow Riley outfield.

Bray and Adam went to work after the lunch break with Bray surviving a sharp opening burst from left armer Shahbaaz before succumbing to a lapse in concentration cutting the change bowler Fahad straight to gully to end the opening stand at 21 in the 6th over. Adam went soon after LBW to Zeeshan for 2 and Glenmore were in serious trouble at 2/32. Storey and Goldsworthy were set to change all that. Playing extremely patient and watchful cricket they partnered really well picking the gaps to keep the scoreboard ticking over and looking to defend the tight Predators bowling. After initially giving up a lot of wide’s during the short but left hand right hand infused opening stand, Predators were not giving away any extras and Narinder in particular was bowling a very tight line and length with his slow off breaks.

Taha came in to the attack briefly but a 4 from Storey and a 4 and 6 from Goldsworthy sent him back out to cow corner for the remainder of the match. The partnership was cruising and was up to 70 when Narinder found the outside edge of Goldsworthy's bat only to be taken with a super one handed dive by Jagan. Jason made 29 valuable runs in an outstanding partnership.
Ruwan paired up with Alex and together they put on 25 before Alex was hit on the pads one time too many and the umpire fired him for an extremely well made 53. Alex has blossomed into the Glenmore 1st XI run machine and against some tight bowling on a ground that rejects attempts to make runs playing good cricketing shots Alex always looked comfortable and would no doubt have doubled his total playing anywhere else. With Ruwan the last of the recognized batsmen being joined by handy debutant DHJ the hope was there for a Ruwy special. Alas it was not to be with Fahad coming back into the attack and knocking over his off stump for 16. Chris was cleaned up in the same fashion first ball and Predators were on the attack in a big way.

DHJ and Bobby worked hard but found scoring extremely difficult and the run rate started becoming an issue. Trying to lift the rate back up DHJ was caught off Fahad for 3. Bobby hung around with Bijju for a while trying to make Predators earn every wicket but fell to Haroon for 5. Shahbaaz came back and off two steps due to Predators tardy over rate picked up Bijju caught for 1. It was all but over with Richy and Ali trying to bat out the remaining overs fighting for Richey’s usual knack of a nice little not out. Richy gave it up hitting to mid-off to complete the innings. Ali remained 5 not out.

Fahad finished with 4/24 from 8, Haroon 2/20 from his 10 and Narinder 2/24 from his 10.

A lot of positives to take from the game as an even contest was had with a team that last year was two divisions higher. Unfortunately the last hour and a half where Glenmore lost 8 wickets for only 59 runs ended what was a really good opportunity for an underdog victory. A solid effort in the field but again more than 40 wide’s and too many dropped chances cost Glenmore what could have been a lot closer run chase. In contrast Predator's only bowled 26 wides.

DHJ, Richy, Ruwan and Bijju were the pick of the bowlers and Storey, Goldsworthy and Ruwan were the only Glenmore batsmen to make double figures. Jason, Adam and Ruwan each took 2 catches and were the pick of the fielders.

Given our style of mostly keeping the ball on the deck as opposed to big lusty hitting that so often proves a hallmark of opposing teams, Glenmore will have to work harder in the field especially at grounds like Riley Park.

Next game is at Westwinds and should prove to be another close encounter with the solid Kanata Panthers team.

Until then Cheers

Jonathan
1st XI Skipper