Strongroom emerge victorious from gladitorial battle of the blades
Wray Crescent, 10/16/2021
Strongroom won by 65 runs
Strongroom: 306-5 [G.Jones 116*, K.Maram-Reddy 83]
Pacific: 241-9 [T.Chasseaud 91, V.Geeda 59]
View the Scorecard
The day started off with grim, autumnal drizzle, but thankfully that ended around the same time I lost the toss and was pleasantly surprised to be asked to bat first at Wray Crescent. We knew we needed 300+ at this ground, and again we got there, thanks to a third successive ton from Gwyn (and a fourth in his last five innings). This was a particularly good knock from Gwyn, as he adjusted to a quick, skiddy surface and paced his innings well throughout. There were phases where Pacific bowled more testing spells, and Gwyn responded by rotating the strike and allowing the more aggressive Kishore (83), Nisar (37) and Arif (20) to play around him. Kishore lofted some tremendous, straight sixes off the back foot, and participated in a highly entertaining and feisty contest with the competitive Siddiqui. Ayon also played a nice cameo at the end (15*). Pacific bowled well at times, in particular some excellent spells from Geeda, Siddiqui, Gane and Garrett, however, we were on a mission to achieve our 300 run mission and kept counter-attacking throughout.
In response, and similar to last year's run chase, Pacific kept close to the RRR, but the wheels finally came off in the 33rd and 34th overs, with the dismissals of Chasseaud (91) and Geeda (59), and a Nisar hattrick. Earlier on, in the fourth over, we were grateful for the early departure of the dangerous Siddiqui for just 6, as he mistimed a pull to short mid-wicket off Mario. Chasseaud, however, kept Pacific in the game and a 110-run partnership with Geeda had them well positioned for a final blitz at 225-5 after 33 overs. Nizar was the pick of our bowlers, as he found a waspish line and length, relentlessly attacking the stumps. Amith bowled well and was unlucky in the onslaught he received from Geeda, as several legside heaves landed in open spaces between long-off and cow corner. The key breakthrough came, strangely, off two rank overs from a rusty Kishore, as Chasseaud slammed a full toss into my hands as I ran from long-off towards deep extra cover. In the following over Nisar crashed a yorker into Geeda’s stumps, generating a tremendous metallic clang, and we were home.
Wray Crescent again provided a run feast in what is the most brutal form of the game we play all season. It’s not for all tastes, but it continues to hold a certain interest.
The poor quality image below shows a high quality defensive shot from Gwyn Jones.
Written By: J.Gower
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