This has been a curious season. Most of the matches we have played this season have been one-sided. We lost twice to Zurich Nomads without showing any fight. But we defeated Pak Freiburg, Winterthur, Ravensberg, Uster in one-sided matches. Not that I dont like stamping authority over other teams but close matches have their own charm and nothing beats they way adrenaline flows in such tight situations. Last Sunday our away game quite close to becoming a close match. Despite the loss FNCC showed that they can fight.
It was the first game of the new experiment in the organisation of cricket in South of Germany.
FNCC visited Karlsruhe. As has been the norm for this season that we lose one key player just before the match. This time Vijay could not travel with us and we were left with 10 players. With incomplete team, unknown playing conditions and a rather fast bouncy pitch, it was clearly going to a big struggle for the FNCC.
FNCC Innings
Saghir who was standing in for Vijay wanted to bowl first, considering that we were a better side while bowling. But he lost the toss and CLK invited us to bat first. Vishv and Rehan started off well. Vishav was especially looking good. Rehan was starting to get to grips of the game but was apparently give out caught behind, wrongly, by me. But I was convinced that he had edged the ball.
That brought in Balaji, who was in superb form with a 50+ score in the previous game. But he was finding it difficult to read the bounce. But the runs were coming the form of extras, so there was not much concern. Despite a scratchy batting from Balaji (who eventually scored 31), Vishv kept is cool and steadily kept the score ticking. Vishv finally got out after scoring 28 runs in the 16 over. But that started the typical FNCC collapse. Saghir who was starting to look dangerous, was out caught when a ball took the leading edge. After that it was as if FNCC players just did not know how to bat.
CLK's slow bowlers were suddenly appearing top-class spinners and a pitch, highly suited for batting was turned into a spinners' paradise. Soon the score was 129 for 8, it was around 65 for 2 after 16th over. Sharath and I joined at the wicket with seven overs to go. We just wanted to play all the overs. Things worked out in our favor and we added 40+ runs in seven overs. We ended our innings with 175 for 9. I scored 32 runs, which surprised me most of all. But the ball was coming on the bat well. A lot of credit of that partnership goes to Saghir who was umpiring and kept motivating us. During this partnership Sharath got his hand injured as he dived to make home for a single that was not needed.
CLK Innings
176 in 35 overs was not a big total on that wicket but we were more confident. Saghir and I started off our defence in positive manner. While I was economical Saghir was devastating. He too two wickets in his first over. CLK was on the back foot. Nila came in for the 7th over and quickly claimed one. But from then on Ahmed and Omar slowly took the game away from us.
FNCC bowlers could have done better but Ahmed steered the batting really wisely. He was defensive on the first and second balls, attacking on the 3rd and 4th but then was looking for a single on the last two. This way he not only protected his partner, but kept the score going. In between there were few economical overs but the asking rate was too low to climb to an alarming level.
This partnership was broken around 23rd over. Ahmed had a rush of blood and he hit me for a six on midwicket. We exchanged looks. And he could not keep from the temptation of hitting me again, Nila took a nice catch. One more wicket fell in that over and Omar was dropped by Imtiyaz. We saw there was a chance. But again besides, Saghir there was no venom in the bowling. Imtiyaj, Bala, Balaji, Nila, Shrath, all tried hard. Saghir even gambled with Rehan. But all were good in patches and consistency was lacking.
Saghir had the challenge of keep the two us bowl in small spell while hoping that there will enough left at the end. But the 6th and 7th wickets took too long to fall. In the end they needed two runs in the second last over with three wickets remaining.
The aftermath
We lost, but we fought. I think it was really important to see if FNCC can put up a fight. It was a very good show by a team of 10 players.
I hope that our bowlers got a good lesson. Later everyone of us thought we were another 20 runs short. Perhaps thats too wishful. On that pitch we should have scored at least 250, given that we had 52 runs in extra. Batsmen need to take up more responsibility. They need to be aware of the match situation.
Saghir led from the front. He was unlucky with the bat but with ball he was just perfect. I should have done better. With such a score, being economical is not an option (I bowled 7 overs for 14 runs). My 3 wickets came a bit too late. Vishv and Balaji contributed with bat. But we need more from other players. In batting, Bala, Rehan (who was unlucky), Imtiyaz and in bowling Nila and Sharath have to step up their game. Finally, playing with 10 players is never an option, so even those who did not make themselves available should feel responsible for our loss.
Despite the loss we enjoyed the game. The hosts were quite good. I wish that they had given us an extra fielder but then it was not their fault that we showed up one short. Also I think teams should refrain from discussing umpires' decisions.
It was the first game of the new experiment in the organisation of cricket in South of Germany.
FNCC visited Karlsruhe. As has been the norm for this season that we lose one key player just before the match. This time Vijay could not travel with us and we were left with 10 players. With incomplete team, unknown playing conditions and a rather fast bouncy pitch, it was clearly going to a big struggle for the FNCC.
FNCC Innings
Saghir who was standing in for Vijay wanted to bowl first, considering that we were a better side while bowling. But he lost the toss and CLK invited us to bat first. Vishv and Rehan started off well. Vishav was especially looking good. Rehan was starting to get to grips of the game but was apparently give out caught behind, wrongly, by me. But I was convinced that he had edged the ball.
That brought in Balaji, who was in superb form with a 50+ score in the previous game. But he was finding it difficult to read the bounce. But the runs were coming the form of extras, so there was not much concern. Despite a scratchy batting from Balaji (who eventually scored 31), Vishv kept is cool and steadily kept the score ticking. Vishv finally got out after scoring 28 runs in the 16 over. But that started the typical FNCC collapse. Saghir who was starting to look dangerous, was out caught when a ball took the leading edge. After that it was as if FNCC players just did not know how to bat.
CLK's slow bowlers were suddenly appearing top-class spinners and a pitch, highly suited for batting was turned into a spinners' paradise. Soon the score was 129 for 8, it was around 65 for 2 after 16th over. Sharath and I joined at the wicket with seven overs to go. We just wanted to play all the overs. Things worked out in our favor and we added 40+ runs in seven overs. We ended our innings with 175 for 9. I scored 32 runs, which surprised me most of all. But the ball was coming on the bat well. A lot of credit of that partnership goes to Saghir who was umpiring and kept motivating us. During this partnership Sharath got his hand injured as he dived to make home for a single that was not needed.
CLK Innings
176 in 35 overs was not a big total on that wicket but we were more confident. Saghir and I started off our defence in positive manner. While I was economical Saghir was devastating. He too two wickets in his first over. CLK was on the back foot. Nila came in for the 7th over and quickly claimed one. But from then on Ahmed and Omar slowly took the game away from us.
FNCC bowlers could have done better but Ahmed steered the batting really wisely. He was defensive on the first and second balls, attacking on the 3rd and 4th but then was looking for a single on the last two. This way he not only protected his partner, but kept the score going. In between there were few economical overs but the asking rate was too low to climb to an alarming level.
This partnership was broken around 23rd over. Ahmed had a rush of blood and he hit me for a six on midwicket. We exchanged looks. And he could not keep from the temptation of hitting me again, Nila took a nice catch. One more wicket fell in that over and Omar was dropped by Imtiyaz. We saw there was a chance. But again besides, Saghir there was no venom in the bowling. Imtiyaj, Bala, Balaji, Nila, Shrath, all tried hard. Saghir even gambled with Rehan. But all were good in patches and consistency was lacking.
Saghir had the challenge of keep the two us bowl in small spell while hoping that there will enough left at the end. But the 6th and 7th wickets took too long to fall. In the end they needed two runs in the second last over with three wickets remaining.
The aftermath
We lost, but we fought. I think it was really important to see if FNCC can put up a fight. It was a very good show by a team of 10 players.
I hope that our bowlers got a good lesson. Later everyone of us thought we were another 20 runs short. Perhaps thats too wishful. On that pitch we should have scored at least 250, given that we had 52 runs in extra. Batsmen need to take up more responsibility. They need to be aware of the match situation.
Saghir led from the front. He was unlucky with the bat but with ball he was just perfect. I should have done better. With such a score, being economical is not an option (I bowled 7 overs for 14 runs). My 3 wickets came a bit too late. Vishv and Balaji contributed with bat. But we need more from other players. In batting, Bala, Rehan (who was unlucky), Imtiyaz and in bowling Nila and Sharath have to step up their game. Finally, playing with 10 players is never an option, so even those who did not make themselves available should feel responsible for our loss.
Despite the loss we enjoyed the game. The hosts were quite good. I wish that they had given us an extra fielder but then it was not their fault that we showed up one short. Also I think teams should refrain from discussing umpires' decisions.
The new initiative is on its way with a near perfect start. Lets see how it proceeds. Tomorrow we take on the CLK for a return fixture. I am sure it will be a more intersting match -- if the rain gods decide not to come to the ground.
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