SPIRITS vs OVEREASY at British Club Ground

With the great Singapore cricket ground prohibition entering its first week of the year, and a false start in JB, President Hanspal trolled through his black book of usual suspects for not only opposition but also a ground. The ever keen Overeasy answered the call and the British Club ground was secured. In what appears to be the new norm – team selection was announced at 5pm on a Friday along with a warning around start time. Captain Chiro strode out to the toss with a team of 10 – clearly the Presidents warning on start times applied to only mere mortals.

Captain Chiro lost the toss and Spirits under a threatening sky, and with ever more threatening keenness from the opposition, took to the field. Captain Chiro wasn’t mounting the pulpit and not many words came out – not to worry – yet again Spirits provided there is always more than 1 captain on the field at any point in time. Gaurav (1-24-5.2) and Ranga (0-27-5) took the new ball, both keeping the opposition honest. Gaurav made the breakthrough in his second over, Range unlucky not to have another in the next over. Logu (3-24-4) took over from Guarav taking a wicket in each of his next 3 overs, highlight was the sharp return catch lowlights the couple of chances grassed by Akash and the President. Akash thinking twice about asking again to be moved to extra cover to stop the boredom of backward point. At the halfway mark Overeasy were wobbling at 4 for 78.  James Trewin (0-10-2) and the President (1-32-6) did the work during the middle overs. James found his line and the President generated some good turn with the one that comes flatter. Akash (3-20-4) turned the screws on Overeasy with 4 reluctant overs of very good slow bowling that broke the Overeasy lower order. Overeasy were down and out and not converting the pre-game keenness into anything imposing. Good bowling supported by good fielding – even Ranga doing his bit at fine leg to help out Overeasy  - didn’t quite get to the ball but rewarded himself for the effort. Catched held by Logu, James, Glen, the President and Inzy. Overeasy all out for 142 in 26.2 overs.

A quick turn around with Overeasy spending a long time in the team huddle plotting a famous victory. Rajesh and Glen opened, Rajesh (2 off 6) looking the business in the practices shots but somehow still up to his old tricks of finding new ways the get himself out. Inzy (34 off 39, 2 x 4, 2 x 6) had some early controversy with Overeasy convinced that catching a bump ball should count as a legitimate wicket – luckily Ranga’s umpiring pedigree shone through and sanity prevailed.  After that he quickly found his range and ran hard for the only 3 of the game. Less running needed for the consecutive sixers he hit off the offspinner who didn’t get another over after that one.   Inzy’s stumps got pushed back in the 12^th over and that brought an end to a partnership of 77 making sure it was a long time between team huddles for Overeasy.  Kalpesh (4 off 19) joined Glen through and spirits made it to drinks at 2 for 90. Glen (53 retired off 41, 3x4, 3x6) took to the legspinner first over after drinks and retired at the end of it. Gaurav (3 off 10) joined Kalpesh for long enough to run him out with both guys ending up at the same end. Captain Chiro (7 off 5, 1x6) joined Guarav for not too long as Gman was caught at backward point. Akash (4not out off 11) watched as Captain Chiro crashed one over the rope and the next one crashed into his pads. Overeasy sensing a famous Spirits collapsed swarmed in. Cometh the hour cometh the man and Ranga (7not out off 11, 1x4) hit the winning runs having recovered from his fielding efforts earlier. Spirits 5 for 143 in 23.3overs.