Round 11 - Sunday, 14th December 2003

Templars v. Optimists at Hong Kong Cricket Club
Result: Templars won by 11 runs

Missing Rahul and TR in years gone by may have seemed to other sides that we were vulnerable and unable to win, but in the end it was a team performance from all with the bat and supported somewhat by the bowling which secured a crucial win. The Captain has lost more nerves over this game than any other this season.

Having won the toss and with the prospect of playing on the same wicket used for the past few weeks, the Captain decided that batting was probably the sound thing to do. Ricky the groundsman was interrogated into why another strip had not been prepared and retorted that "why change something that ain't broke". His analysis did seem to be correct, along with decision to bat, as the Captain and Ravi put together a solid opening partnership. With a variety of cuts, pulls, drives and good running, the opening stand reached 83 by first drinks break and the 100 partnership was posted in the 21 st over.   Unfortunately the Captain tried once too often to hit one over the top and was caught at deep mid-off. He was followed relatively soon after by Ravi, who smacked a powerful drive straight to the fielder at extra cover off Tiku's first ball. From a strong position, things got even worse when Barney was caught on the boundary from a full bunger by his alter ego, Shandy, who took great delight in the dismal. Teeterin gwe were, however Anurag, with help from both Jamshaid and Zubair, repaired the damage, until Anu played an awful swipe and was bowled by Jamo. All that came before was only a prelude to Azam's finest hour. With overs running out, Azam and Zubair advanced the score to 250, with Zubair, for once, a mere spectator as Azam took to the bowling with some relish. Ravi's bat served him well as he carted all the bowlers around the ground, with Jamieson getting particularly harsh treatment. After the demise of Zubair and Devang's customary 6 and out (when batting he still seems to think he is in the back garden when he was 10 years old), Mustafa helped Azam reach a terrific 50 and a few more as well to bolster our score to 278 for 8 off 50 overs.

Missing Kratzman, we secured once again the services of Shari, beclothed with various articles procured from the rest of the team. The wicket now resembled Wong Ngai Chung Gap Doh, however an early success was achieved when was Callow well caught by Shari off Zub's - 1 for 9. The next period up till the first drinks break was a consolidation period for the Optimists with Roxy batting fluently and Shandy just batting. The opening attack of Jammie and Zub's was replaced by Mustafa and Ravi, who both bowled relatively containing spells. At the drinks break Optimists were 65 for 1. Mustafa struck with the first ball after drinks, with Shandy playing on and soon after, Roxy was run-out with a smart piece of fielding. Finally Watco, the Optimists Captain, emerged on the field but didn't offer much resistance before holing out to Mustafa at extra-cover. Sameer followed next ball, much to the delight of Barney, who apparently this week offered his copy of the SCMP voluntarily. Mustafa then remove the dangerous Tiku and at 105 for 6 the home side were in deep trouble as the overs were also running out with Dizzy Gillespie and Jonesy now at the crease. Dizzy could have been out to two difficult chances, but to his credit he played sensibly and was ably supported by Jonesy. Still the bowling was relatively tight and the Captain brought back Zub's to try and break the partnership, clean up the tail and secure maximum points. However, this idea did not work out and the partnership continued to flourish. With the score on 220, Jonesy was well held by Anu, making a lot of ground and taking a good diving catch. Zub's was bowled out and was replaced with Ravi while Jamshaid replaced Mustafa who bowled a fine spell of 13 overs on the trot.

In the end Optimists got mighty close (too close for the Captain's nerves) due to Dizzy's hitting. Needing 50 off the last two overs, they ended only 11 runs short. Jammie bowled the last over sensibly and we achieved a victory that at times seemed routine but which in the end was nearly given away. Still a win is a win...

At Hong Kong Cricket Club: Templars 278-8 (G Jardine 57, R Sujanani 54, A Bhatnagar 35, A Mohammad 66*; M Jamieson 13-3-88-3) beat Optimists 267-8 (P Roxburgh 38, D Alex 132; Mustafa 13-3-49-4) by 11 runs

[Top]

Infidels v. Pakistan Association at Po Kong Village Road
Result: Infidels lost by 4 wkts

At Po Kong Village Road: Pakistan Association 229-6 (I Gul 72, S Sen 71*; C Williams 11-1-44-3) beat Infidels 228 (Manoj C 61, R Lamsam 55, A Ahmed 38) by 4 wkts

[Top]

Round 10 - Sunday, 7th December 2003

Infidels v. Scorpions at Hong Kong Cricket Club
Result: Infidels won by 6 wickets

At Hong Kong Cricket Club: Infidels 164-4 (D Kelleher 46, R Brewster 42*) beat Scorpions 160 (S Brooks 35, H Vera 54; C Williams 10-1-46-3, Tausseef Bokhari 10-2-26-4) by 6 wkts

[Top]