Its been nearly two weeks since we played the Karlsruhe Lions Blues (KLB) and memory is starting to cloud the proceedings. There was much anticipation of this game. First reason was that we playing at our home ground on a Saturday -- this is first time the Freiburg city granted us ground access on a Saturday (actually full weekend). Second we want to rectify the errors in our performance on our away game to KLB home ground.
We were all very positive, as Vijay and Fayas returned to the team and reinforced the batting. Also it was encouraging that we were a full XI. On the contrary the KLB were suffering from the hangover of the victory and also missing a player. As it became evident later they had some serious miscalculations about FNCC.
KLB Innings
Vijay asked KLB to bats first. We thought that they batted well because they had a target in mind in the previous game. Also they were likely to caught on their backfoot (literally) on out wicket. After our first encounter, we knew the danger men from the KLB. The first of those Ahmed opened the innings. I and Saghir started off in our typical economical style. Ahmed misjudged a ball in the third over and was bowled without attempting a shot. This was a perfect start. From that time on, KLB were really struggling and soon were in the run rate pressure. After second spell of Bala and Nila, Vijay brought on Srinath and Shrath. Srinath started off in style and took a wicket off his veru first ball.
Then he and Sharath shared five wickets and wrecked the middle order. The KLB were really startled as neither they were keeping the wickets in check and nor scoring runs. The run rate was steady around 4 an over. Wickets tumbled regularly and in the absence of any meaningful partnership, despite pretty generous help from extras, they were hanging around 90 runs at the loss of eight wickets.
At that point came a cameo from Shivramen (I think) who scored some sixes and tried to get the KLB to a decent score. Besides him only Waheed showed some sense and hung around a while while seeing his teammates getting out.
Eventually, the set the target of 135 in 35 overs. It was a modest target. But FNCC is always a bit wary and are as a personality trait not confident until its really done.
FNCC Innings
Fayas and Vijay opened. And it was a treat. KLB batsmen failed to read the speed and length of the bowling earlier. But while bowling they could not find the right line length. Fayas and Vijay matched each other and clinically cut through the bowling. While the two were batting run rate hovered around 7.5. Fayas was especially pretty to watch in his flawless shot all over the off side. Vijay was brutal and efficient if not as pretty.
Once Vijay departed, FNCC were in a very safe state. But we did not want to let go. Vishav and Fayas and then Fayas and Rehan continued to dominate the bowling and more than anything broke the confidence of the fielding side completely. They were just begging that we finish the game. Eventually FNCC romped home in the 17th over and completed one of the most emphatic victory for the FNCC.
The aftermath
The worst thing in any contest is to underestimate the counterpart. KLB did that and paid a serious price for that. We learned in the course of the match that they had planned to leave Freiburg by 1600hrs to join in some BBQ. They were of course confident to leave with a win. They had made a completely wrong impression of our team. Not a way to play cricket.
FNCC were really good on this particular day. Almost everything worked. But you are only as good as the opponent. And I think the quality of KLB on that day only suppressed the actual quality of our team effort. But these one-sided games are not worth it in any case.
FNCC would show that in the next day against St. Gallen.
We were all very positive, as Vijay and Fayas returned to the team and reinforced the batting. Also it was encouraging that we were a full XI. On the contrary the KLB were suffering from the hangover of the victory and also missing a player. As it became evident later they had some serious miscalculations about FNCC.
KLB Innings
Vijay asked KLB to bats first. We thought that they batted well because they had a target in mind in the previous game. Also they were likely to caught on their backfoot (literally) on out wicket. After our first encounter, we knew the danger men from the KLB. The first of those Ahmed opened the innings. I and Saghir started off in our typical economical style. Ahmed misjudged a ball in the third over and was bowled without attempting a shot. This was a perfect start. From that time on, KLB were really struggling and soon were in the run rate pressure. After second spell of Bala and Nila, Vijay brought on Srinath and Shrath. Srinath started off in style and took a wicket off his veru first ball.
Then he and Sharath shared five wickets and wrecked the middle order. The KLB were really startled as neither they were keeping the wickets in check and nor scoring runs. The run rate was steady around 4 an over. Wickets tumbled regularly and in the absence of any meaningful partnership, despite pretty generous help from extras, they were hanging around 90 runs at the loss of eight wickets.
At that point came a cameo from Shivramen (I think) who scored some sixes and tried to get the KLB to a decent score. Besides him only Waheed showed some sense and hung around a while while seeing his teammates getting out.
Eventually, the set the target of 135 in 35 overs. It was a modest target. But FNCC is always a bit wary and are as a personality trait not confident until its really done.
FNCC Innings
Fayas and Vijay opened. And it was a treat. KLB batsmen failed to read the speed and length of the bowling earlier. But while bowling they could not find the right line length. Fayas and Vijay matched each other and clinically cut through the bowling. While the two were batting run rate hovered around 7.5. Fayas was especially pretty to watch in his flawless shot all over the off side. Vijay was brutal and efficient if not as pretty.
Once Vijay departed, FNCC were in a very safe state. But we did not want to let go. Vishav and Fayas and then Fayas and Rehan continued to dominate the bowling and more than anything broke the confidence of the fielding side completely. They were just begging that we finish the game. Eventually FNCC romped home in the 17th over and completed one of the most emphatic victory for the FNCC.
The aftermath
The worst thing in any contest is to underestimate the counterpart. KLB did that and paid a serious price for that. We learned in the course of the match that they had planned to leave Freiburg by 1600hrs to join in some BBQ. They were of course confident to leave with a win. They had made a completely wrong impression of our team. Not a way to play cricket.
FNCC were really good on this particular day. Almost everything worked. But you are only as good as the opponent. And I think the quality of KLB on that day only suppressed the actual quality of our team effort. But these one-sided games are not worth it in any case.
FNCC would show that in the next day against St. Gallen.
HI,
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