Match report VS HP

 Slightly overcast skies saw the Spirits captain of the day; scotch drinking, sheep shagging, barbaric Aussie working for a French Bank ( let’s call him Paul), won the toss and elected to bat. Wise decision as besides saving himself from the wrath of hung-over team, 2/3’rds of the team was not there.

Spirits openers tried to consolidate but both William and Mahesh were back under the fan within 14 balls of the game at 10/2. The gung-ho rum guzzling G-man was joined by the new man Jack who was specifically told by the next man in, me myself and I, to take his time as I was trying to gobble down my curry. Jack did pretty much the same, took his time and after 14 balls and scoring 2, he was back in the hut as well and the score board read 33/3 after 7. I joined G-man, who was in full flow. The brisk partnership steadied the innings and by the time G-man fell in the 12 over, the score board read 64, him scoring a run a ball 33. After having a slow start I hit a few lusty blows and a six over mid-wicket, which I had no clue how it ended up there. MUST BE THE BAT! The skipper joined in and that brought in the rain too. After a restart and the match having being reduced to 25 overs, the skip was in a frantic mode. Resulting in a run out of well settled Laksh at 102 of 17.4, for his hard earned 25 of 24. A few brisk partnerships of Paul, Varun and Rammy ( 8,9,4 respectively) saw Satish and Eraj at the crease at 116 in 21.5. The team was looking at a score of 135+ but Satish and Eraj had other plans. Quick running between the wickets and lusty blows by Satish ( 20 of 17 ) – MUST BE THE BAT, and awesome hitting by Eraj (21 of 10) – effortless six landing on the CSC roof, saw Spirits end at 159. Mackenzie managed to face a ball and scored 2 off it.

Spirits buoyed by the late onslaught, took the field- hoping not the repeat the fielding mistakes of HP, abt 7 dropped catches. Everyone eagerly waited for the skip to set the field and he did in style – scatter!!  Rammy and G-man shared the keeping responsibilities as William and Eraj opened  the bowling. True to the word, Spirits took their catches, G-man, 2 by William saw HP at 243 after 5 overs. Good tight opening spells by William and Eraj were followed by probing spell of Satish and tidy overs by Gaurav.

One incident which probably will require a book to be written on, I will try and squeeze in a few lines. Our skip was fielding at deep mid-wicket, while satish tempted the batsman to hit to the skip. The batman obliged, and the Paul chased after the ball. He stopped , to the surprise of whole team as till catching had been impeccable and let the ball land in front of him, about 10 yards from the boundary. As if that wasn’t enough, he misfielded . Rather he evaded the ball and let it run for a four. 

Without much hiccups later and brilliant bowling by Spirits ( 2 wickets for Varun and a piece each for  Mackenzie and Rammy) 27 was required of the last 2 overs. And then Paul brings in the bowler who had been warming up for the last 23 overs. Yes me. 4 off that over and the game was pretty much sealed. A few wild hoicks and a wicket of the last over of William,HP ended at 148.

  Spirits won by 11 runs and of course beer flowed.

Jack had to go through the obligatory ritual, which he didn’t mind some how J

Man of the Match : Eraj for his 21 making the difference and good start in the bowling

Wooden Spoon: besides that epic miss, wasn’t much to choose and will let the skip off the hook this time. ;)