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Game Comments
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Callum
2/10/2003 4:49:51 pm
Despite being at the wrong end of the pitch when the coin was tossed, I still won (damn I'm good) and elected to field first. We've had a long rivalry with this team, and while we have the edge overall they have the advantage in recent history.
Bowling:
Well, their first partnership showed us what batting is all about - dabbing and tapping their way to a wicket-less 46 with only one boundary (off the last ball no less). The only chances we had were runouts, and we couldn't seem to throw down the stumps on any occasion. I don't recall seeing either of these guys before - but we'll know what to expect next time!
Similarly, their second partnership looked like they were going to dab and tap their way to a big score - two runouts in the last over broke the wicket drought for us though we were still looking down a total of 81 after 8 overs!
The floodgates opened in the third, with five wickets taken - leaving them on a total of 87. The field rotated well to restrict one player and fully pressure the weaker batsman.
The fourth partnership (including our left-handed friend Victor) scored 21 runs, losing 4 wickets along the way.
Shoutout to Chan for his overs of 10 and -4, which was particularly notable for being the only player not to bowl an extra with that hard new ball.
Batting:
Chan and Paul to the crease first, and they worked hard for their 27. Most impressive was the fact they got out only twice! Also notable for the first time in memory Chan and Paul have ever stolen an extra run, which must make them about -49 for attempted extra runs. I commented to someone when they walked off that if everyone gets 27, the game would be a draw.
Gary and Paul were in next for the hardest of the reasonable targets - needing 36 for the quad. They came ever so close, collecting 12 runs in extras, hitting 27 runs off the bat - unfortunately they got out 6 times, which rather screwed the pooch, so to speak.
Knowing Bart's propensity for negative scoring, I elected to team him with Greg to get the third quad of 6 runs. They failed to disappoint, garnishing a respectable 25 - albeit galling for the last ball wicket.
Brendan and I walked out needing a paltry 48 for the win - a mere trifle! For three overs we didn't give them a wicket, and kept the score ticking over, until we needed 8 from the last over. First ball I was runout attempting a second run, changing the equation somewhat. A 5 and a 1 later, and we needed just 7 off five balls - which I attempted to get in one delivery - a lovely lofted drive would just catch the side net, then the backnet to be well caught. There's not enough expletives in 'Trainspotting' to describe that feeling. Needing 12 off 3 balls, we were fortunate enough to hit two more boundaries to put us within 3 of victory. Facing that last ball was stressful, and emotions were mixed when I found the sidenet for 2 runs and a draw.
Shoutout to Brendan for his 21 - a lovely wicket-less knock with no dot balls. You cannot ask for more.
Generally:
If you'd asked me after 8 overs of their innings if I'd be happy with a draw, I'd have said yes. Ask me after 16 overs of their innings, I'd have said no. Ask me after 12 overs of our innings, I'd have said yes. Ask me after 15 overs, I'd have said no. Ask me with 3 balls to go, I'd have said yes. Ask me with one ball to go, I'd have said no.
A 4-4 draw, which I guess we can be happy with. 2 points each for a draw, and 2 quads each.
Personally:
That ball was hard and fast, and we all got more bounce than we were used to. I got good speed and some tough rising deliveries in my bowling - for overs of 7 and 7 with no wickets.
Satisfied with my fielding (even the retarded-looking flick that got our first wicket, despite what the critics may say of style over substance), no major balls-ups.
In terms of the batting - obviously happy to pull the game out of the fire, but still steamed about the lofted drive. Still, Brendan and I now have partnerships of 46 and 47 - which is right up there with Greg and I averaging 48 from two games.
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