"During the pre-game curry and team talk Amar revealed he'd received a mid-week email from BP’s captain containing 15 bullet points about rules, format & etiquette. Amar's amusing response, 'get a life', set the tone for a competitive and occasionally fractious contest.
It was decided to split the game into 2 innings, a 'mini test match with beer' as Sivan put it. We only managed 10 players after a bit of last minute personnel re-arranging. Although a strong squad on paper we didn't perform well in the first 15 overs. BP's Perera drove strongly to reach 32 off 25 and Amit also went large in the 3rd over taking Rammy for a few boundaries. Making amends for a couple of howling dropped catches Logu returned excellent bowling figures of 3.0.10.0 but the pick of the Spirits was Amar's 3 for 18 off his 3 overs. He also did a decent job of containing his fury after 4 catches were dropped off his spell BP reached a hefty 110 off 15 and the game was on!
After a few over enthusiastic appeals and a bit of gamesmanship by BP the Spirits got into the batting groove. Akash and Kalpesh opened but were back in the hutch after a couple of nice shots each. The engine room of the Spirits batting was Sandeep (28 off 21), Rajesh and Will with 34* off 21 (including an all run 4 followed by an all run 3 that had him & Sandeep wheezing like octogenarians). Spirits finished with a creditable 116 for 5.
Taking a first innings deficit of 6 runs into the second half of the game BP scored 71 for 7 off 10 overs with Krishna (13) the only oil executive to reach double figures. It was a much tidier performance by the Spirits second time around. Will returned 2.0.15.2 and Sandeep Puri whirled away to record figures at the close of their innings 2.0.7.1.
Needing 66 for victory the Golden Ones got off to a flyer as skipper Tushar hit a rapid 13 runs from 8 deliveries and Rammy struck an imperious 33 off 22 including two straight sixes towards Ballestier Rd. However tension mounted under the CSC fans as the Spirits were becalmed in the last overs by BP's tall captain Hari. Needing just 2 off the final over Logu couldn't connect on the first three balls and was bowled off the fourth. Striding out to the crease Will had a let off as the BP finger spinner gifted him a half volley which was driven over extra cover for 4.
A fun game and a narrow victory for the Spirits with a ball to spare."
It was decided to split the game into 2 innings, a 'mini test match with beer' as Sivan put it. We only managed 10 players after a bit of last minute personnel re-arranging. Although a strong squad on paper we didn't perform well in the first 15 overs. BP's Perera drove strongly to reach 32 off 25 and Amit also went large in the 3rd over taking Rammy for a few boundaries. Making amends for a couple of howling dropped catches Logu returned excellent bowling figures of 3.0.10.0 but the pick of the Spirits was Amar's 3 for 18 off his 3 overs. He also did a decent job of containing his fury after 4 catches were dropped off his spell BP reached a hefty 110 off 15 and the game was on!
After a few over enthusiastic appeals and a bit of gamesmanship by BP the Spirits got into the batting groove. Akash and Kalpesh opened but were back in the hutch after a couple of nice shots each. The engine room of the Spirits batting was Sandeep (28 off 21), Rajesh and Will with 34* off 21 (including an all run 4 followed by an all run 3 that had him & Sandeep wheezing like octogenarians). Spirits finished with a creditable 116 for 5.
Taking a first innings deficit of 6 runs into the second half of the game BP scored 71 for 7 off 10 overs with Krishna (13) the only oil executive to reach double figures. It was a much tidier performance by the Spirits second time around. Will returned 2.0.15.2 and Sandeep Puri whirled away to record figures at the close of their innings 2.0.7.1.
Needing 66 for victory the Golden Ones got off to a flyer as skipper Tushar hit a rapid 13 runs from 8 deliveries and Rammy struck an imperious 33 off 22 including two straight sixes towards Ballestier Rd. However tension mounted under the CSC fans as the Spirits were becalmed in the last overs by BP's tall captain Hari. Needing just 2 off the final over Logu couldn't connect on the first three balls and was bowled off the fourth. Striding out to the crease Will had a let off as the BP finger spinner gifted him a half volley which was driven over extra cover for 4.
A fun game and a narrow victory for the Spirits with a ball to spare."
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