Main Umpire: Fergus Robertson Leg Umpire: Batting side
Report:
"Fight for the Wrong Cause"
Preface:
Another weekend of predicted rain and another weekend of NCSUCC's dominance.
While the players of NCSUCC were pessimistic regarding the game actually taking
place, the visitors were probably unaware of the forecast. The lack of
experience and the fact that they had not done their homework showed when SPCC
won the toss and elected to bat first with a wet outfield and an 'outside'
chance that NCSU would bowl them out soon and finish the game before it would
rain, considering their batting depth.
Volume 1:
NCSU took to the field determined to attack from the start, with their 'league
renowned' fielding and an excellent bowling line-up. Living up to the
reputation, Abhishek started the NCSU bowling attack and wrapped up 2 wickets in
the very first over before the opposition knew what was happening, the second
wicket worth noting due to a great effort at gully from Vinay. SPCC's No.2
(Anish) and No.4 (Jaggi) batsmen tried to consolidate the innings, but they
found it very difficult to read Vamsee, who came in to replace Amit as first
change. Vamsee got rid of Jaggi and followed up with Anish's wicket in the same
over. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals for SPCC, with Nihar, Nikhil and
Nagi digging through their middle order and tail. There was a brief interruption
in the game as Anirudh (Captain/Wicket-keeper) got 'flicxed' and was hit on the
chin, and had to be 'taken out of the game'. His place was taken by Sushil, who
did a great job behind the wickets. SPCC were finally all out for 103 with 3.4
overs to spare.
Volume 2:
Since it was a small target, the NCSU's batsmen wanted to go for the kill and
finish the game early, but were forced to rethink with the score at 24/2 at the
end of 5 overs. A long confusion followed at the sidelines among the scorers of
both teams, but did not hinder the game, its duration or its outcome. While all
this was going on, NCSU's No.4 batsman Vinay was not interested in anything else
but the number 104. He and Amit, continued their quest for that number and by
the 12th over with the score at 51, they were short of breath, not for oxygen,
but for nicotine. Vinay got his wish as SPCC introduced a spinner (bad timing!),
and was shown no mercy, and as NCSU's pavilion was chanting 'Bheem' (Vinay), the
score stood at 74 in 13 overs. In the end, there was a glimpse of the fighting
spirit of SPCC, but not for winning the game, but to deny Vinay his half
century. If that much thought and effort had been invested in their bowling or
reasoning after winning the toss, the match would have been a bit more
interesting. Vinay, however was not interested in this target, but the primary
target, and helped NCSU achieve that in just 16.0 overs.
End Note:
With all that behind, our "Bheem" was relaxing, puffing away under the
smoke-tree in the hot weather, when he was ambushed by his teammates for a "bath
of honor" (player honored for his outstanding effort!), which he deserved the
most for his 49* off 30 balls and a great catch! Other great performances worth
mentioning are Vamsee for his figures of 6.0-1-9-2 and 4 catches, one of which
was an excellent diving catch at point, and Amit for his steady 29*. A good
game, and a thumping victory for NCSU, continuing their trend to win, and for
all the right causes!