Main Umpire: Shahji Leg Umpire: Batting team
Report:
TCC-QCCC match report:
TCC traveled to Reedy Creek Park, Charlotte for a crucial match against QCCC
who’re playing on their home ground and hence held the advantage right off. It
was cloudy and humid all day long, but thankfully without any rain. It had
rained the previous night and so the pitch and outfield were heavy. Many thanks
to Shahji from MCC for umpiring the game.
QCCC won the toss and as expected put us into bat. Raman and Rajesh Virkar
opened for TCC and found the going to be tough since QCCC bowled a steady line
and length without giving any room for the batsmen to score freely. 5 runs came
off 4 overs! The pressure got the better of Raman and he was bowled playing all
over a regulation half volley off Saravana. Rajesh U. was promoted to number 3
in the absence of Samir Tikare and Ravi Renga. The two Rajeshs carried the score
to 30 off 10 overs with Virkar hitting a couple of delectable shots. Virkar was
castled by an inswinger off Saurabh. Aravind didn’t last long and was bowled off
the inside edge trying an ambitious drive off Kalyan, the left arm spinner who
in fact bowled more like a seamer off a short runup. At 31 for 3, Vijay walked
in with TCC pegged on the backfoot. The flicx pitch didn’t make life easier as
it is and the outfield which had lush green grass brought ground shots to an
absolute halt just shy of the boundary. Vijay and Rajesh U. carried the score to
a respectable 61 with the former doing the bulk of the scoring. A six over extra
cover stood out. Rajesh lost his concentration and was bowled off Kalyan. An
unfortunate runout cost Nataraja his wicket since both batsmen slipped at their
respective ends and he had backed up too much at his end. Uchil was caught
behind and just when it seemed like TCC was getting bundled out for less than
100, Sundar chipped in with a cameo. Vijay and Sundar added 34 invaluable runs
with the latter tonking the ball beautifully all over the place. Vijay was
bowled in trying to accelerate and TCC lost couple of quick wickets and finished
up at 122 for 9. Kalyan and Saurabh were amongst the wicket takers for QCCC.
This wasn’t a great score considering the short side boundaries.
After a quick 30-min break, QCCC started their chase. TCC showed great character
and commitment on the field right away. Uchil lead from the front by effecting
two brilliant runouts, one of them being a direct hit from his customary gully
position to the bowler’s end. QCCC were two down for nothing with both their
frontline batsmen back in the hut. Now, TCC came together as a well-knit unit
having sensed a glimmer of hope with the two quick dismissals. Aravind kept his
end tight as usual. Amar made a good comeback after a bad first over which had
too many wides in it. Aravind accounted for Saravana by getting him caught
behind. Samir and Piruz threatened to take the match away from TCC, displaying
good temperament coupled with good choice of shots square of the wicket on the
off side. Vijay bowled Piruz all ends up and that brought back TCC’s hopes
again. Uchil took care of Sameer by deceiving him in the air and Aravind took a
regulation catch at midwicket. Yashpal was caught in the deep by Sundar off
Uchil’s bowling and we knew that the pressure was mounting on the home team now.
Raajeev Kalyan, who had taken the stick against CCVT, bowled with great
determination and poise and that paid rich dividends for us. QCCC needed 29 from
11 overs with 5 wickets in hand. Ramesh was out lbw to Raajeev for 3. Kalyan,
QCCC’s batsmen blasted 10 runs inclusive of 2 consecutive boundaries off Vijay’s
4th over. But, Raajeev proved to be his nemesis in the next over by bowling him
through the gate. A sportive decision by the leg umpire got Kalyan his third
dismissal with Vishal being the batsman who was declared caught behind down the
leg side. Rightly so, Uchil finished up the proceedings by effecting his 3rd
runout for the day catching tailender Seenu out of his crease trying a
non-existent single and that was curtains for QCCC. Good captaincy by Aravind in
terms of making bowling changes at crucial junctures turned the tide in our
favor.
All in all, it was a great morale-boosting win for TCC.
-VJ