Kai Tak vs. Crusaders
Saturday 14th January KCC
Kai Tak 7 for 291 (35 overs)
Crusaders 5 for 274 (35 overs)
Kai Tak win by 17 runs
Saturday was our day of reckoning. Was last weeks result against Mainlanders a false dawn for our start to 2006? Finally I win a toss and have no hesitation in inviting Crusaders to take first field. Barrington and Naqvi, pad up boys, and out they head with a couple of quiet words of advice in the ear of Mohsin, both by myself and team 'shrink' Nick as he crosses the boundary rope. Off to a patient start the boys leave the good stuff outside off well alone and smote the inevitable couple of rubbish balls an over to the fence. JB is his usual unruffled self, making it all look pretty easy and Mohsin showing impressive concentration and judicious shot selection see us rattling along at a very respectable 6 an over after 15. As it emerges later, the oppo are quite 'lippy' to both the lads and the stage is set for some serious tension when Crusaders (and in particular their Captain) take their turn at the crease. Unfortunately our impressive start comes to an end when JB edges to slip just prior to drinks. In strides Brownie, nonchalant and relaxed as ever, and without further loss of wicket we have a drink with 115 on the board. A perfect platform set for a serious assault on a big score.
Just prior to retaking the field, their skipper catches me off guard with a request to shorten both innings due to our slightly late start time. I enquire as to why exactly we were late starting, knowing full well it was due to Crusaders tardiness in taking the field on time and suggest we play the full 35. He stalks off in a huff - my first inkling something is amiss with this particular character. Mohsin and Brownie pick up where they left off before drinks, with some fabulous boundary hitting, punctuated with positive running between wickets. Crusaders look dejected in the field and their bowling uninspired, time to capitalise boys! Before long Mohsin is into the nineties and excitement is building in the outer. A boundary or 2 takes him to 99 in quick time. You can do it mate - a quick single and the celebrations start, standing ovation from the boys and what looks like a well practiced maiden Kai Tak ton celebration from Mohs. Great stuff! With Brownie appearing invincible at the other end, we are looking the goods until Mohsin is out in the 24th over for a fantastic 105. With Malcolm into the 70's could this be dual centurions for the Tak? Not to be, Mal adjudged leg before for an effortless 74. With 8 overs overs remaining and 220 or so on the board, enter Campbell - have a few sighters then get into it fella are the instructions. Stevie takes no notice and selflessly goes at it from ball one. Gets off the mark then fails to connect on his next 3 attempts from their opening bowler and plays one onto his stumps. (never mind, he got some runs the next day!) Up the order go the 'pinch' hitters, Poole and Belcastro not lasting long, and Chris knocking up a dozen before falling in the search for quick runs. Ellis and Hawke see out the last few overs with some good running between wickets laced with some boundaries and Kai Tak end their 35 overs on a season high 291 for 7.
Ok lads, finally our batting has clicked but we still have it all to do - the Crusaders batting line up very strong indeed. Well what do we have here - out come the 2 chief 'protagonists' to open their innings. Williams and the hero of the hour Mohsin open up keeping things fairly quiet but fail to make the early breakthrough we crave. Approaching drinks Crusaders managing 6 an over but required over 8 at the start of the innings and now 10 to haul us in. A double bowling change with Hawke and Fidel now at the bowling crease. Nick still struggling with his wides but when landing them on the pitch, not being hit and Dave fired up and showing good rhythm, things are looking ok at the break. Time for a another change at the 20 over mark, JG tossed the ball - come on mate, we need a wicket or 2. Like the week before Johny puts his hand up in his first over, finally getting the Tak a breakthrough. Shortly after another, their other opener well caught by Williams at backward square, and the pendulum is swinging back our way! With Fidel blocking up his end superbly, JG fires in for his 3rd wicket, a fine catch by Belcastro at fine leg. Have another over JG - it looks like your day! Didn't I bugger up your figures there mate, and get Crusaders back in with a huge chance of victory. Their number 4 proceeds to club JG for 4 sixes off his 3rd over and Kai Tak are stunned. About 10 an over required off the last 7 - what to do? Williams sort things out mate. In he steams with fire in his belly and while not taking a wicket, bowls a great 4 over burst to block up the critical short boundary 'clubhouse end'. Fidel toiling away for 10 straight at the other has the Crusaders' potential match winner caught at deep extra cover by Poodle for 57 off about 20 balls! Well grasped mate, we thought you'd made a meal of that catch. Odds now back in our favour, Mohsin comes on for 2 superb overs at the death, off 6 paces, firing them in, and all the Crusaders can manage are singles to our well spread field. With 25 needed off the last and their big hitters back in the shed, we get up by 17.
An absolute nail biter in the finish - especially for the wives gathered outside the boundary rope! A wonderful team effort boys, disciplined and positive batting by our top order, great bowling under pressure in the dying overs and superb catching (mostly, sorry boys!) and ground fielding saw us thoroughly deserve the win. Mohsin, you had a wonderful day and really deserved your ton - a joy to watch.
Let's keep the ball rolling lads and take this momentum into next Saturday against the Under 19's who have plenty of talent and can't be underestimated.
Go the Tak!!
Dave