The idea to have an internal (Spirits) 6s between 3 competing teams
magically converted into 10-a side 2 innings match (17 overs each
innings). The two sides were picked on the spot by the captains of the
day Richard Koehler (the Richie Riches) and Madhu (Mad dogs).
The game finally got under way a little before 2:00pm after the
stragglers drifted in. The RR’s were asked to field by the MDs who
sent in Glen and Kalpesh to face the fearsome duo of Raj and Graeme.
Kalpesh was the first to go C&B Graeme. John Sist followed after being
bowled by Raj. The MDs were 2 down for 5 runs thanks to Raj and Graeme
who finished with identical figures of 1-11 of 3 overs a piece. Glen
and Akash steadied a rocking boat and when Glen retired (26 n.o.)
there 46 runs on the board. A small collapse ensued and the score read
49-5 after the quick demise of Akash and Rammy. Abhishek (22 n.o.) and
Virgin spirit Sebastian Noble (14) ensured that the innings finished
with a half decent 95 on the cards. For the RR’s the other successful
bowlers were Dave, 2-10 off 2 economical overs and Abhiram 1-4 off 1
stingy over.
In all this, John Sist the diligent scorer and later fines master
dutifully recorded the clangers and the comical proceedings of the
innings (see top of 1st innings score card).
The first RR innings got underway with Paul and Dave facing Glen and
Rammy. A well set Dave was the first to go, bowled by Rammy for a
compact innings on 19. Abhishek was pressed into the attack and Paul
countered the pace by vigorously swatting the air around him. In all
this bat swishing, willow and leather hardly made contact. Tushar from
the other end made short work of the RR innings with 2-10 of 3 tidy
overs. El Presidente bowling in tandem strangled the run scoring and
picked by 2-20 of 3 overs. Kalpesh and Noble picked up a wicket a
peice in the one over they each got. Ranga’s 12 n.o. could only ensure
the RRs of 89 runs in the first assay.
The micro-management of the field (with millimeter precision) after
every single ball by one of the skippers meant that the 2ed innings
had to be cut short from 17 overs to 13. It was also decided early on
to do away with the convention of reversing the batting lining up in
the second innings. Both skippers manfully put up with a bunch of
"follow-on" themed jokes.
So, the MDs started with the time tested opening pair of Amar and
Akash. Amar made 2/3 of the first 3 runs before being caught and
bowled by Gaurav. Tushar joined Akash and took a shining to the
bowling and was the first batsmen to retire in the second innings
after getting to 25. Akash in the meantime was consumed by a resurgent
Gaurav (aka Capt’ Morgan) - 2-10 of 2 overs. John Sist joined Tushar
and retired at 25 too. The MDs innings chugged along at a decent pace.
A minor hiccup towards the end notwithstanding, the MDs got to 99 off
their 13 overs.
With 107 to get off the final 13 overs of the game and a setting sun
to contend with, the RRs launched their chase with great flourish. The
early wicket of Dave did not dampen the attacking instincts of Graeme
(retired n.o. 25) and Raj (run out for 21). Full tosses and short
pitched stuff were gleefully dispatched into the wide acreage of the
leg side. Singles were converted to twos and the RRs innings was a
polar opposite to their first attempt. Captain Morgan then proceeded
to tear apart the MDs attack with some accurate and hard hitting -
ensuring that the RRs romped home with 2 overs to spare. Glen and
Tushar got a wicket apiece and the others got the stick.
For a commanding performance with both ball bat in the 2ed innings,
and for gamely keeping wicket in the for a part of the 1st, Capt'
Morgan was chosen man of the match.
For improper dressing etiquette (fielding - or more precisely -
dropping catches - clad in a green vest), bowling a over comprising of
many wides, and for trying to create his own trade wind with the bat,
Paul's name came up for the wooden spoon by a voice vote.
2 instances of democratic umpiring
1) RR first innings: Richard and Abhiram ended up on the same side of
the pitch. A lengthly discussion ensued as to who should be given out.
Richard the skipper asked Abhi to "decide". Abhi walked off the pitch
and a few minutes later off the ground (a nasty night before
contributed to the latter).
2) More democracy in-action, RR second innings: Raj Mohan was haring
between the wickets but a sharp throw seemed to have caught him short.
Howzatt! -Umpire!?. Jason Chew the umpire had a puzzled look on this
face. "I do not know". "If the batsmen wants to walk he can". But
umpire what is your decision? "I am not deciding - it's up to the
batsmen". Raj went on to make a few more runs before being run out,
again!
--
Madhusudhan M.S.
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