Five wickets win for the Nomdas and a half century to Saghir

Cricket returned to Freiburg today. After playing three away games we had a home fixture. There was lot of excitement among the player. There was some anxiety as well, because several regular player were away for the long weekend. In fact we did not have an XI and two players Lucky and Pathiban made their debut today.

Also there were expectations, for the first time this season, despite the missing player. After winning three matches in a row, of course there are expectations. So its very satisfying that we won again. This time, even though Saghir was adjudged the man of the match (what a surprise) it was the bowlers who set up the match for us.

Bowlers did a great job when Winterthur (WCC) was restricted to 126 runs in about 32 overs. The pitch was not easy to bat but it was more difficult to bowl. We know that there is little bounce in our wicket but today it kept exceptionally low. Batsmen when they understood it, it no longer remained difficult for them except for staying in. For who are supposed to make things happen it was very difficult to keep the momentum. After the first wicket on the last ball of the first over, WCC kept their heads cool for another 12 overs. Then Adnan started off his amazing spell with a wicket. For a change Adnan conceded only 2 wides in four overs and only one on the leg side. He was a discovery today. His third over set the tone of the match as he claimed two wickets. From then on there were wickets coming on regular intervals. 

Because the WCC were short of a player, we let their not out batsman continue after the 9th wicket. Rohit who had had a great match with until then couldnt add much to the WCC score and fell in attempting to clear the boundary. Given the conditions John, Rahul and Rohit did very well for the WCC, if only other batsmen could support them well enough... but here comes the role of Nomads bowling attack. For once all bowlers worked within their limitations and never allowed the WCC batting a chance to recover after the second wicket partnership. 

After a long time I took three wickets in a match although I was not bowling well. Saghir was also not in a good touch. Later we both thought that our ball was not well suited for our wicket. The ball went rather soft after a couple of over and if you use that on a dead wicket, well... But credit to Raghav and Rajesh who bowled in good areas. Adnan had a great spell... He was clearly the pick of the bowling.

We knew that score was not that big and that we have the ability to chase 126. Still Vijay wanted to be safe and asked his batsmen to play the full 35 overs. Meaning there was no pressure on the batsmen. We introduced yet another opener in this match, Lucky. I saw him yesterday playing with 'tape ball'. Clearly he has the ability to bat and hit quick runs, so we asked Saghir to bring him along as were short of the XI. Both, Lucky and Rehan started very cautiously. WCC bowlers Rahul and Steve were showing us how to bowl on our own wicket. The ball moving and cutting of the wicket also the odd balls bounced. Lucky was unlucky he was run out while attempting to complete a double. Pandiyan als had an off day today he was beaten by the pace. Rehan followed him in the same over. So at one point there was a panic as we had lost three wickets with 23 runs on the board. 

Then started partnership between Raghav and Saghir. Raghav frustrated the bowlers with his dead bat and Saghir attacked them whenever there was a loose delivery. Once Raghav started middling the ball he gain confidence and then runs started to flow at a healthy rate of five per over and we were cruising along at 94/3 in some 20 overs. Then we had a double jolt. Raghav was run out to a beautiful piece of fielding and Vijay to a very good catch. 

For Nomdas until Saghir is there in the middle, there is no panic. Adnan who joined him remained very calm and composed as Saghir continued to mlik the bowling. Saghir completed his second 50 of the season with a six over the log on boundary and then a wide and a single took us to 127. 

Yet another win. There was not much drama in this one. Again everyone chipped in. Because of the holiday season were short of several regular players, so, this win as I said last week, proved our bench strength. FNCC are developing in to a very good team. There is something in the players that we they are entrusted with a responsibility, they step up and show that they are there for the team. Today Raghav and Adnan showed just that. 

Besides this there is a huge dedication among player for cricket and to develop the team. One example of dedication is Vijay who this morning drove from Luzern (3.5 hours drive) just to play the match. He was supposed to be accompanying his parents who are visiting `him' from India for few days. Another example is Saghir, who should have been tending to his two years old son Sabir's injury, was playing and scoring a 50 to win the match for the Nomdas. Later, after the match Saahir told that yesterday evening his son got injured, he stayed in the hospital until 0400hrs in the morning. Very rightly he dedicated his 50 to his son. And we also wish that his son recovers fast.

Our guests were very good. It was a pleasant experience to play with a team that had a balance of players from England, SA, Aus and the Indian subcontinent. Else these days most teams are dominated by players from India and Pakistan. WCC bowlers and three or four batsmen were really quality players and, on a better wicket they will for sure give us a run for our money. The match was played in a very friendly atmosphere.  WCC and FNCC have played cricket for a long time now,  of course many faces have changed but, very important, the friendly spirit and respect for Cricket has remained. I look forward to our visit to Winterthur.

It was funny when the match ended. During the match there were 13 players on the field and two umpires. As soon as the match ended, some 50 footballer swarmed the field like honeybees. These people know that we have the rights to use the ground on selected Sundays till 2000hrs still.... These people just dont understand why we need such a large field when most of the action happens on a 20 meter long strip. Its one of the oddities of the playing cricket in Germany where the whole country breaths football and some mutant foreigners want the fresh air of cricket.

It fourth win in a row, first at home. We can no longer be considered as underdogs. We are a strong team as the record speaks. With that comes a responsibility to carry this mental. Sooner or later we will also loose but for now our job is to play good cricket and play it better than the opponents. Next match will be against one of the strongest teams in this region and if we win that then we can be proud.