Moor runs than we meaded
Moor Mead, St.Margarets, 9/27/2008
Strongroom won by 71 runs
Strongroom: 257-5 (V.Mani 95, C.Kulkarni 60)
Crossbats: 186 [A.Wright 67]
View the Scorecard
September continued to do it’s best to outshine the pathetic efforts of the preceding ‘summer’ months, providing another golden, sultry afternoon for some late-season cricket. I won the toss again, and decided to bat first, mindful of the encroaching sunset.
Strongroom had a really curious XI, with several newcomers absorbed into our ranks. As it was, it worked out nicely, and we registered a comfortable victory. Jules and Chin had to contend with a spate of wides first-up, which did little to get them ‘in’ on this aged, skiddy Astroturf surface, and Jules was the first to lose out, yorked by Gumbley. Chin [60] and Velu [95] provided the backbone of our final total, with their contrasting styles working well to frustrate the opposition. Left-handed Chin was more circumspect, defending patiently but always ready to calmly dispatch any loose deliveries, whereas Velu used his strength and natural timing to hammer boundaries all around the wicket, including three on-driven 6’s in one over (and was unlucky to miss out on a well-deserved ton). Whilst these two were at the crease, a final total of 200+ was always on the cards, but with the wickets of Chin and Velu, and myself and Joe, it was with some relief that the double-act of Proctor and Ujjal took us to a mighty 257-5 off 35 overs. Again, contrasting styles were apparent here: Proctor was quick to muscle away anything short to the square-leg boundary, and Ujjal showed off some of his natural gifts, with delightfully timed wristy shots all around the wicket. For Crossbats, Van Vuuren had returned from his spate of wides to bowl a fine second spell of away swing, and the teasing donkey-drops of Wright had proved effective in teasing and tempting some to their downfall.
Tea Report: Some good traditional English nosh, lots of sarnies and chicken legs, and some freshly brewed tea. Can’t go wrong there.
So, Crossbats were set 258 to win. I opened with Ujjal [2-19] and myself [3-15], and after 10 overs they were about 25-2,with a wicket apiece. Next I brought on Elwyn, Martin and Tom to give them an opportunity to get into the game, and all took a wicket apiece. Martin bowled a nice spell of off-spin, and Elwyn and Tom both struggled with wides but this was understandable with so little cricket under their belts. However, Crossbats were getting back into the game, and after 20 overs were about 135-5. Joe Rafman and David Proctor were thrown the ball and they duly did the job of stemming the runs and snaring a key wicket each. Alastair Wright had batted well for 67, but Joe got him, and Proctor yorked the dangerous looking Plescia. Myself and Ujjal returned for the final death overs, and plucked some more wickets, with Ujjal finishing the job with 5 balls remaining. Only Vinay was denied an opportunity with bat or ball, but he fielded brilliantly. Good fielding all around, with good catches from Jules, Rafman and Proctor, and a good effort behind the stumps by Chin.
Both teams retired to the Turks Head and talked over the events of the afternoon. Whatever the result, it was just great to get a game in…
Written By: JG
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