WCC Batting

A picture perfect day after a few weekends of rain & sun. CUCC was promptly at the ground despite a delay in the arrival of the van...(Raj...bad bad bad !!!).... CUCC also saw 2 veterans returning to the scene, Asad and Jay for the first time since the beginning of the season. Ashok, finally back too, after an absence of about 6 games and heading the side. And a new comer to the club, Prashant. The toss was won by CUCC and we elected to bat.

Arvind and Ratesh were sent to face the young squad of FCCC. Starting off slow to consistent bowling, Arvind was struggling to make bat meet with ball. After getting his eye on the ball, Ratesh started to open up a bit getting the runs in. Arvind being so fit running between the wickets, made a blunder causing himself to be run out for 7 runs. CUCC was at 30 for 1, In came the first veteran Jay who was on fire from the get go bringing in the first 4 of the game. Jay and Ratesh playing sensibly got the run rate going before Ratesh misjudged a stroke and was dismissed by LBW at 25 runs. CUCC was at 52 for 2 at the 8th over.

Joining Jay was Pavan, the "English guy" as he was known to FCCC. Pavan was too eager to get off the mark swinging at every ball before he changed tactics and went for the singles. While on the other end, Jay was having batting practice thrashing a few to the boundary lines. Unfortunately, Jay decided to go for a run which wasn't really there, causing another run out. Jay ended up with 28 runs from 21 balls, out of which were 5 boundaries. CUCC was at 92 for 3 at the 15th over.

In came Rohan, who after playing a few games for CUCC and showing his potential as a promising batsman, joined Pavan. He too didn't waste time and continued the thrashing where Jay left off. Starting off with a boundary, Rohan showed great batting technique and aggressiveness making contact with almost ever delivery. He did get lucky with a few dropped catches. Pavan finally getting a swing of things finally got his act together and started to get aggressive. And unfortunately, CUCC saw their 4th dismissal by another run out, sending Pavan back to the sideline but not before contributing 20 runs in 32 balls. CUCC was at 115 for 4 at the 17th over

Supporting Rohan, Ashok #2, also got comfortable with FCCC's variety of bowling. Rohan still on the attack and lots of help with extras, but was caught out. He made 37 runs from 22 balls, out of which were 5 boundaries. CUCC was at 167 for 5 at the 23rd over.

Ajay was in next and taking his time getting his eye in before scoring his first boundary. But it wasn't too long before Ashok #2 got bowled. He went on to make 18 runs in 22 balls. From what Arvind told me, his brother has not played in about 10 years...Nevertheless, a great effort. CUCC was at 177 for 6 at the 24th over. In went our pinch hitter, Raj. Looking sharp and coordinated, Raj started with his singles giving Ajay a chance at bat. Ajay was struggling to get those big shots in and with the ever loud Venu screaming at him, didn't really help things... Raj decided then to take matters into his own hands and took a liking to the bowling. Venu cheering him on, saw Raj straight bat a huge 6 over long on. By this time, CUCC was on a steady course of thrashing FCCC. After a partnership of about 67 runs, Ajay returned back to the "pavilion" with a well deserved 28 off of 33 balls. CUCC was at about 248 for 7.

Making his come back, Ashok went in at number 9. Raj, facing the next ball after Ajay's dismissal was bowled when he over played it. Raj ended up with 40 runs from 33 balls. By this time, our second veteran, Asad, thinking he wasn't going to bat and had undone his pads, got his wish to face some bowling. With 3 balls left in the last over, Ashok scored 1 N.O.while Asad put the last ball away of the innings to the boundary down square leg, ending up with 5 runs N.O. After a great batting session from CUCC, we ended with 256 runs for 8. There were 44 runs accounted for as extras.

Given a mighty score to defend, we opened the bowling attack with Asad. Given the absence from the scene, he was eager to get back into action. The opening batsmen were getting edgy and Asad kept his line and length consistent. On the other end, new comer Prashant, not having played in 5 years, had trouble getting his act straight. FCCC batsmen took a liking to his bowling and were off to a healthy start. .......SO THEY THOUGHT !!!

Prashant eventually did take a wicket getting their opener out by a catch to Ajay. He also sent their second batsmen back to the sideline when a delivery had him fall to the ground after being hit on his family jewels...

Ashok took over Prashant and got their 3rd batsman out on his second delivery. Having not played in a while and the lack of bowling during matches, Ashok had trouble getting his line and length despite getting some good outswings. Eventually, after 5 overs, Ashok ended up with 3 wickets. Asad eventually ended his great bowling spell after 4 overs but was not awarded a wicket. Arvind took over from Asad and immediately started to trouble the batsmen. Bowling consistently, for 5 overs, he too was awarded a wicket taking their second bat out with a catch to Prashant at gully. By the 17th over, FCCC was at 99 runs... AND THERE WAS HUSH !!!

After drinks, Ashok decided that there should be a change in bowling. Raj started the 18th over and after getting his line and length, he awarded himself with a wicket from a catch taken by Pavan, at mid on... Ajay on the other end, from the get go, was on fire, taking a wicket. On his second over, Ajay was on a hat trick target but missed a close edge. Ajay ended up with 4 wickets in just 2.4 overs, one of them awarded by a difficult catch held by Ratesh moving backwards and almost collided with Asad at mid wicket. FCCC were out for 129 runs..... .

CUCC def FCCC by 127 runs in 22.4 overs... A great game played by everyone. Batting all round was great with 7 batsmen in double figures. Great keeping by Jay, despite the beer factor. Fielding was a bit slack, a couple of catches dropped. Bowling overall was consistent. A well played game with everyone contributing to the game.