Another beautiful sunny day in the middle of rainy season greeted the teams as they arrived at CSC. 9 Kelawar players arrived from KL and in a high risk strategy warmed up the kitchen at CSC par-taking on some curry. To add flavor, Paul and Logu of Spirits seeing which side eats better promptly joined the opposition to make up their 11.
Graeme “losing” the toss let Kelawar Bat. Their openers Wilfred (25 runs) and Andy Scott (35 runs) got off to a good start despite John niggling in Abhishek ear to bowl bouncers and Raj keeping a good line outside off stump. The score passed 49 off 8 overs following Rammy getting a pasting over the fence first ball and another 4 to add the score! Gaurav (G-Man) was spotted chomping at the bit to bowl and was brought on at the other end, with it all looking to go pear shaped. The first break through came in the 9th over following a dropped caught and bowled. The ball running to a fired up Rammy at mid-on whom threw down the batsmen’s ends stumps from 30 yards running Wilfred out. By the 17th over the score had slowed but was still healthy at 1-100. Rammy (6-0-1-38) and G-man (4-0-0-34) were backing up Abhishek (4-0-0-23) and Raj (6-0-1-24). Sandeep and Abhiram came on with an unenviable task of bowling 13 overs to 9 batsmen whom obviously enjoy a good curry! Sandeep as usual set about plotting their demise, lullabying them with his medium pacers clocking up 15 dot balls before delivering the sucker punch…. he soon picked up 2 wickets for a total of 4-0-2-12. Abhiram following the lead did even better bowling 6-0-0-22, totally confusing the batsmen with his Sandeep impersonation. Though every batsman made double figures the run rate plummeted and Kelawar finished on 5-152, probably 30-40 runs short of where they should have been.
John and Rajesh opened for spirits. Kelawar threw another twist into the game by opening with a spinner and bringing on more. Rajesh flew off the mark whilst John decided to wait it out. The opening partnership showed 33 of 6 overs with John getting just 3 off 15 balls and the honor of being first out - bowled. Rajesh retired on 36 (25 balls) an over later, grateful Kelawar didn’t spot his Achilles heel.. Paul’s bowling!. Akash scored a sensible run a ball 23 at 4, while Richard and Chiro showed no interest at all in batting sharing 3 balls between them for two quacks. Sandeep and Abhishek were 6 & 7 respectively. Abhishek standing his ground early on with a bump ball that was caught and bowled. Kelawar swore they had him, Ralston was the non-playing umpire, suitably attired in Spirits kit saw it differently (ultimately agreed as the right decision, kinda). Bit of bad blood followed by real blood when Abhishek smashed one into Wilfred’s hand, splitting his index finger open for 6 stitches and a free ride to the hospital. John sist volunteered to drive Sandeep’s Lexus and he knew the way to Tan Tock hospital from a few weeks before! Abhishek and Sandeep steadied the ship with 25 (27 balls) & 31 (39 balls) respectively. Graeme hit a quick 20 no mostly off Logu’s one and probably last ever over for Kelawar. G-man, well into his first bottle of Rum, didn’t want to waste time getting back, hit the winning run being a straight drive 6 off his first ball. Turning and walking towards his drink even before it went over the ropes. Spirits 6-153 off 26 overs.
Margarita Cup retained by Spirits and lead the series won 5 lost 2 washout 1.
Man of the match: Kelawar’s Wilfred. 25 runs & 3-32 off 6 overs, 6 stitches and a free bottle of Black Label from Harry’s.
Wooden Spoon: Chiro… Couldn’t hit the ball nor catch it….. One of those days!
Thanks for G-man for organizing another 3R event – the lamb was magnificent.
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