05 Nov Kai Tak vs KCC Saracens @ PKVR
A great availability for this game ensured we would be able to field our strongest team so far and everybody pitched up early and joined in the warm up session ready for the big game. Saracens finally arrived with one notable exclusion, no Wooden! KCC won the toss and elected to bat first on a hot track hoping to put the early pressure on us. After some quick instructions from the skipper (which he apparently ignores) we took to the field.
First over and Willo starts with a beautiful tempting line and was almost rewarded 2nd or 3rd ball that went to first slip, Tiks got his fingers under it but couldn’t stick the tough chance. Still it showed there was good movement and potential reward for good line and length bowling. 1st ball in the 2nd over and Nick Wood straightens a great in swinger to trap the opener for 1. Next over and Willo continues to create pressure. 1st ball 4th over and another away swinging length ball from Nick is edged behind for an easy catch by the skipper. KCC now 2/8 after 4. Before Nick starts his 3rd over Mitch dares him to take another wicket first ball, so he did. Nick had the dangerous Barkat edged to Tiks at first slip for a duck. 3/12 after 6! Willo’s line paid off shortly after with another edge taken behind by the skipper and Willo was pumped. KCC were 4/15 but of course Steve “Nick Hawke” Campbell reminded us not to get carried away with our great start. Jon Whitehead replaced Nick (At Nicks behest!) and immediately had the batsmen in trouble with massive benders and got his breakthrough clean bowling the #5 with a massive inswinger and quickly followed up with anoth after Tiku took another great cath at first slip, obviously eager to put the earlier drop behind him. Bossy who had found some great rhythm then claimed the #6 caught by Mark Lilico with a blinder at gully. With 2 overs before drinks and Whitehead out of steam the skipper turned to our slow bowlers and was almost immediately rewarded but Steve decided he had far too much time to take a dolly and grassed it. With nothing to lose the #8 started swinging like a dunny door and was getting some lucky edges to frustrate Naqvi. Next over on Bob’s second delivery he caught an edge and Tiku caught it in his moob after a slight juggle. Drinks was taken early and the KCC were reeling at 8/37. After a misheard quick chat from the skipper who reminded the boys of our tendency to struggle to get the last wicket the Tak went back out and finished a brilliant “spell” claiming the figures on 1 over, 1 maiden, one wicket! Debutant Mark Lilico opening up and Mitch coming from the other end the end was nigh. Some close in fielding put the pressure on the poor #10 while the other bat was still swinging away. Mohs came back on and after some wild swning beat the charging batsmen and with his usual delicacy the Skipper demolished the stumps. Mohs then politely offered the direction of the sheds to the batsmen who was a little taken aback about that particular direction. Mitch came in and claimed the last wicket with a shoter delivery popping up to Cambo who managed to hold onto it. KCC all out for 67 in the 23rd over. Did I mention Bob’s 1-1-1?
Steve and Willo opened batting and got off to a flyer with both showing none of the difficulties the KCC batsmen did. Chris was unlucky to be adjudged caught behind and the Skipper joined Steve in the middle. The intent was clear and Dwight either had air swings or sent the ball flying. After a couple of overs the pair decided to try working the ball around and were running two’s and three’s to which Steve moaned he wasn’t interested in getting there by running. So next ball the skipper uncharacterisctically blocks the ball, it drops to his feet and looks up too Steve sprinting for a lightning single. Next ball Steve blocks to the fielder and sprints again. On 25 Dwight was soon caught by a diving 1st slip after offering a less than manly dab at the ball. 2 down and 15 runs to get and Mr. Cricket strides to the crease supporting Steve in the run chase. Steve finally fell for 26 and Nick Woods went out to bat. Meanwhile the next in, Mohs, was already changed into his after match attire oblivious to the recent couple of dismissals. Bob, did I mention his 1-1-1, offered to pad up instead but wasn’t required as Tiks hit the winning runs in the 11th over at about 2:30 pm. Apart from some slight indescressions in the field it was otherwise It was a clinical destruction of the KCC who even without their star professional still have current and former national players.
Tiku then lead a very lengthy fine session ensuring no-one escaped his wrath including himself. Mohs paid a hefty fine for his navigational advice with some help from the batsmen he gave it to. Then mug was keenly fought but eventually went to Steve Campbell for a number of worthy reasons.
Uncle Russ Man of the Match was shared by Jon Whitehead and Nick Wood for their outstanding bowling efforts. The lads then kicked on to the globe until the last stragglers left to get the 11pm ferry. All in all it was a great team display starting with the pre match warm up, to the on field performances and the after match camaraderie and usual banter.
Notable performances:
Nick Wood 3-0-8-3, Jon Whitehead 4-2-4-2, Mitch Boss 4.3-0-14-2, Chris Williams 6-1-13-1 and did I mention Bob Wards 1-1-0-1. Steve Campbell 26, Dwight Johnson 25 and TIku Paditar 3 catches at 1st slip.
Player's of the Match
Jon Whitehead and Nick Woods