Main Umpire: Neeraj Leg Umpire: Rajeev
Report:
After a rather unexpected defeat that state suffered last week
against CCCC, the players were just itching to get on the field and set the
record straight.
SCCA won the toss and predictably enough, chose to field first on a damp wicket
that was 2 paced. Before the end of the 10th over, most of NC State's top order
was back in the pavilion. The inability of the top order batsmen to consolidate
after getting a start was all too evident once again. If there is something else
that is equally predictable about this team, it’s the ability of one of the
players to come up with a scintillating innings or an inspired spell of bowling,
just when the chips are down. Maybe this has to do with the desire of each of
the players to prove to themselves and their teammates just how good they are
and just how well they can showcase their talent. And what a showcasing of
talent we witnessed from Vamsee! Walking in to bat after the end of the 10th
over at 61 for 4, he paced his innings to perfection.
With very little batting to come, he went about consolidating the innings with
Sushil, and just when the partnership was looking to stage a good comeback, it
was a case of another batsman getting out after getting a look in. What followed
was beyond anyone's expectation, as Vamsee and Nikhil went about rebuilding the
innings and whenever the opportunity availed itself, they duly dispatched the
ball over the ropes. After a near 80 run partnership, with state having already
made a competitive score Nikhil got out. What came after his exit was pure
carnage. Just when you thought that Vamsee was out of fuel, he shifted into a
higher gear. He raced through from 70s, to the 90s, in a matter of 5 balls and
came within a stroke of a century. Out of the 9 boundaries and the 4 sixes he
hit, what stood out was the flick he played off of Blessington which sailed over
the pavilion for a gorgeous six! Not many batsmen can walk in to bat after 10
overs have been completed and still come so excruciatingly close to scoring a
century.
Chasing 221 on that wicket was always going to be a tough proposition but
Charlotte City got off to a good start with 10 runs coming off the first over.
What came after that was a very disciplined effort from all the first three
bowlers, with hardly a ball there to be driven or pulled. The third wicket fell
when the score was on 29 in the 10th over, and by then, the match was as good as
over. After the first over, the South Charlotte guys were never really in the
chase, except for a brave partnership between Wasif and Sanjay where they
threatened to do the impossible, but the required run rate was way too skewed in
State's favour.
All in all, it really was a one man's show. However, anyone who witnessed the
match would realize Nikhil's contribution to that partnership between Vamsee and
he. His cricketing skills notwithstanding, one rarely witnesses such sustained
and hilarious "mind games" he plays with the fielders! Other than that, what
stood out in the match was Sanjay of SCCA doing some unusual stretching
exercises just to be able to waste time in anticipation of rain. It provided
some much needed entertainment during a very predictable phase of the game. With
that being said, I want to thank the players from SCCA for playing the game in
the right spirit and being such good visitors. Thanks also to the umpires who
were consistent throughout the game.
Man of the Match: Vamsee K. (Most definitely!!).