Match Report: 4th T20 game vs MCC by Sunny Kriplani

Post date: Mar 29, 2017 7:30:36 PM

Match no. 4 and FUCC was playing Maharaja Cricket Club (MCC) at Weston Park. FUCC was keen on getting back their revenge for their humiliating defeat in 2015 in Div 2. MCC were riding high on confidence after beating KECC earlier in the day and with the arrival of reinforcement for the 2nd game. MCC skipper won the toss and elected to bat. Under cloudy conditions and rain forecast MCC batsmen started their batting. Chandu and Santosh opened for MCC whereas Navanith and Harris shared the new ball. Navanith struck in the very 1st over by dismissing Chandu caught by Harris Khan at mid-off.  Rohit joined Srini in the middle to take charge of MCC’s innings. Apart from wide’s, Khan and Navi bowled a tight spell and restricted the run rate to less than 6 runs per over. The momentum shifted in the 6th over when 13 runs were conceded and MCC were 40 for 1 at the end of power play. The introduction of Sunny, Gurtej and Harissh lead to another 21 runs in 3 overs. MCC batsmen were looking set but Santosh had to retire hurt. The short break lead to Rohit’s downfall when he was caught at covers by Harris off Gurtej’s bolwing. Gurtej got his 1st CCL wicket. Warren and Srini, the 2 new batsmen in the middle took the attack to FUCC bowlers and had a quick 47 runs partnership in just 28 balls. Warren punished anything in his zone and smashed 32 runs in just 14 balls. At this stage, MCC were 114 for 2 and looked all set to post a huge total. Harris Khan halted MCC’s progress when his quick delivery uprooted Warren’s stumps. Harissh applied more pressure by getting 2 quick wickets and applied breaks on the scoring rate. Rahul was introduced and struck immediately when he had Rajesh caught at covers by Khan. Dennis was reintroduced and struck twice in an over. He first got rid of Santosh and then had Srini stumped courtesy Gaurav’s quick and athletic wicket keeping. Rahul picked up another wicket in his 2nd over to further dent MCC’s innings. Clouds opened up during the tail end of the 1st innings but the game continued. MCC finished their innings at 155 for 9.

The drizzle continued and FUCC’s inning was delayed by 10 mins. FUCC started with Raj and Gaurav. Rohit and Geoff shared the new ball for MCC. The openers started cautiously and attacked any loose deliveries in their zone. FUCC openers were on a roll scoring at more 10 runs an over for the first 3 overs. The attack continued and FUCC were 56 for no loss at the end of power play. Gaurav & Raj played complimented each other by mixing aggression with sensible batting. MCC tried different bowling combinations but were unable to make any breakage, Raj and Gaurav ran hard and kept scoring boundaries at ease. At the 11th over mark FUCC were 101 for no loss when it started drizzling again. Both Raj and Gaurav decided to go full throttle and scored the remaining 55 runs in just 17 balls. In doing so, both the batsmen reached a well-deserved half century. FUCC reached their target of 156 in just 13.5 overs. Raj scored 75 runs from 46 balls smashing 4 towering sixes and 6 boundaries. People seldom ask Raj on what kind of meat he consumes because when he hits, the ball travels like a trace of bullet and does a lot damage to a bowlers’ confidence.  On the other hand, a lean fit Gaurav scored 66 runs in 38 balls hitting 9 boundaries and 1 six.

Well played Raj & Gaurav, keep it up.

Best of luck fuccers for the next 2 games, let's finish at the top.

Enjoy!!!!

Cheers.

Sunny.