Saturday 3s vs Sayer XI
Author: Savan Patel
Match Report |
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What a DAY and what a GAME! Adam XI’s and Charlie’s XI witnessed everything – from a late start to very exiting fifties and from Olympic level 100 meter race to some family rivalry for bragging rights. For most of the players, the day started with a WhatsApp message to their captains explaining how bad the traffic was and convincing the captains they will be on the field soon. The game started about an hour and a half late with Charlie’s IX winning the toss and batting first. Adam XI’s captain Adam decided to throw the ball to Savan followed by Sam at the other end. Adam’s message was clear – enjoy your self, get a proper warm-up for the season and most importantly get some early wickets to restrict Charlie’s team. The mad game then began with Savan and Sam - two pacey bowlers with interesting styles. Sam’s measured run up and consistent delivery resembles a McGrath or Anderson. Savan’s run up resembling someone being chased by an imaginary Rottweiler. Charlie’s opening pair showing how quick the outfield was with a boundary off Savan’s ball. Savan struck back in his second over clean bowling Soham with his in-swinging Yoker. Charlie’s XI had no problem getting back with Girish aka ‘The Terminator’ and Tim getting their quick 50’s and getting them at a very good position. With Girish retiring - Niket takes his place. It was not soon after the tea break when Niket’s nightmare of not getting back without a fifty became a reality. Niket gets LBW-ed by Ed’s swinging ball. Not long after Charlie’s XI lost Oliver. As Adam’s team was celebrating, Lewis - the former 3s captain arrived at the crease. With a very balanced batting style, Lewis along with Avishkar managed to secure their fifties, leaving little joy for the Adam XI bowlers. With Rohit ending the last over - Charlie’s XI managed to pull a massive total of 264 for the loss of 6 wickets. Adam and his crew were a bit worried about chasing the massive total but little that they knew what was coming. The second innings began with Soham bowling. Paul and Luke opened the innings for Adam. Soham with his calm measured run-up managed to get the promising Luke LBW. This setback was soon followed by another LBW and the victim was Angus. Now with high tension in Adam’s team and Soham on a hattrick, Tas got to the crease. Tas managed to survive and Soham missed on his well-deserved hattrick. With the partnership slowly building – Adam’s XI looked a bit more settled and looked on track to chasing the massive target. Adam’s XI were doing quite well chasing the total with some BIGGIES from Tas and calm and compose batting by Paul. Unfortunately, Tas misses his 50 with Niket getting him clean bowled at 49. With Tas not happy and Niket celebrating with Charlie – Adam’s XI loses well-settled Paul at 40. After spending overs at the crease - an important partnership was building between Rohit and Sam. Rohit looked very calm and Sam managed to get a few sixes. On the other end, the fun and the energy did not seem to end on the field. Charle’s team managed to have a mini Olympic level race between Lewis and Niket between overs. With Niket’s confidence crushed by Lewis’s half-mile lead win - it's sure Niket is not going to challenge him any soon. On the other end, Girish and Momin were motivating themselves and were challenging each other to be the best on the field. Good spirit was all around. With Adam happy with the partnership, Adam’s XI lost Rohit for 19, forcing Zaeem to the crease. The partnership built and soon Sam retired after getting his well deserved 50. With this Adam, the skipper himself, got to the crease and things were looking quite achievable at this point. Soon Zaeem was returned to the pavilion and was soon followed by Ed. Charlie’s XI seem pretty confident on the win at this point as they needed only a couple of wickets. But The twists continue. With Savan on the crease, he managed to hit Soham for a boundary on his first ball getting him the confidence he needed for the next overs to come. Soon the Adam lost his wicket on a cracking delivery, getting Paul on the crease. Here starts the rivalry for bragging rights between the brothers. The ask was clear – Savan needed to stay on the crease and score the remaining 30 runs and Niket needs to get Savan at the pavilion as soon as possible. Overs passed by and Adam’s hope survived. It all came down to 10 off the final over. With Niket on the attack and Savan on the strike, Savan manages to drive Adam’s XI to victory on the final ball. With Savan overjoyed for winning the bragging rights and Niket hitting the stumps for losing, Adam’s team rushes to the pitch celebrating the victory. In the end, we saw it all – a warm welcome from our chairman Doug, exciting fifties from several players, mini Olympic race, great catches, lucky drops, early innings setbacks, last-ball victory, the emotional brotherly hug. You can’t really ask for any more - can you? The great day ended with a question – did Niket drive Savan back home or did he have to take the bus? (editor - brotherly love won out...Savan got a lift) |
Date | Time | Team | Opposition | Location | Putney | Opposition | Result | Scores | Points | Toss |
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24/04/2021 | 12pm | Saturday 3rd | Sayer XI | Barn Elms | 264/6 | 265/9 | L | 0 |