The Cruisers beat EB-1 in a thrilling encounter in the first game of the
season. It was an action packed game full of excitement.
Eb-1 won the toss and elected to bat, which is what the Cruisers wanted.
Cruisers had 4 bowlers who could have opened the bowling for them. Sandeep
on his favorite ground took the new ball and struck right from the
beginning, taking 3 wickets. At the end of 8 overs EB-1 were 24 for 3.
Shuaib and Amit were the next bowlers and they too bowled very good and fast
spells but were unable to get a break through mainly because of a few
dropped catches. There were also a few close run out chances. Vikas fielding
at gully was injured in the 9th over and he had a deep cut on his right
palm. Thanks to Vaidhya who fielded from the 9th to the 39th over. The
fourth wicket partnership of Surinder and Robin went on playing through the
first drinks break and from 13 for 3 they were 121 for 3 at the end of the
27th over. Sandeep brought on for his second spell was at last able to
remove Robin caught behind for 39. EB1 had 6 wickets in hand at the second
drink break. They had a few good hitters to come and thanks to Rajesh who
bowled tightly at this important juncture that they were not able to just
run away with the game. Rajesh helped in removing 2 batsmen. Meanwhile
Surinder the EB1 captain was going strong. Himal bowled 5 overs of spin
bowling giving away 27 runs and getting 2 wickets. Sandeep picked up his 5th
wicket in the 44th over when he got Sarabjit caught at Midwicket by Himal.
The Eb-1 captain reached his century and EB-1 were 9 wickets down at the end
of the 44th over. Their captain got yet another chance in the last ball of
the innings. That meant that he remained not out on 110. And Cruisers got 4
bowling points.
Cruisers innings started out the way everyone expects to nowadays. With
Sandeep trying to get a Six of the very first ball. The ball dropped a bit
short of the boundary and he got only 2. But the next ball went for a 4 and
the one after that for a 6 and there was one more 4 in that over and the
score was 17 after the first over. Shuaib at the other end was playing very
sensibly while Sandeep got to 22 of 14 balls. He then went for another 6 but
the bat broke and Midwicket took a simple catch. Manish batting at no. 3 was
out for 9 just when he was starting to play his shots. And Shuaib was caught
and bowled for 14. Cruisers were 56 for 3 after 12 overs. The runrate was
going good but what was needed was a good partnership. And that's what
Rajesh and Vikas provided. They took the total from 56 to 124 at the end ot
the 25th over. Both players playing extremely well and not giving the
bowlers any chances. Sarabjit the 'danger' man for EB-1 was hardly effective
as they did not play any rash strokes against him. It was the kind of
partnership that is required from the middle order. Rajesh was bowled for a
well made 33. Navin who went in next was out LBW to a poor decision for 4.
With the score reading 138 for 5 after 29 overs, EB-1 must have felt that
they would be able to clean up the lower order batsmen. Not aware of the
Cruiser's batting depth. Bharat was the next guy in and with Vikas he built
a crucial 30 run partnership off 7 overs. Bharat was stumped for 9 off the
bowling of Sarabjit giving him his first wicket. Meanwhile at the other hand
Vikas was playing steadily with his injured hand. The Score read 166 in 35
overs. About 50 required in 10 overs. Once again Eb1 must be hoping to see
some batsman who will be confused facing Sarabjit, but Sachin had other
ideas. He scored 20 very quick runs and the score went from 166 in 35 to 192
in 38, Turning the close game to a very easy task. Sachin was out for a
quick 20. Raghu who went in next made 14* important runs and Vikas at the
other end was 56 not out. Cruisers got to the total in 44 overs. They got 18
points from the game.
Conclusion:
Eb1 is not a good team. They do not have any really good batsmen neither any
very good bowler. Sarabjit is overrated. The next time Cruisers play them it
should not be a close game but a one sided affair.
There were 4 new players for Cruisers Bharat, Raghu, Shuaib and Sachin. All
contributing excellently.
Vikas was injured in the 9th over of the game and that only adds to the
value of his innings and thanks once again to Vaidhya for fielding in place
of Vikas.
Batting depth of the Cruisers was again on display and it should be whenever
the lower order gets to bat. Since we say that we have 11 batsmen we have to
bat that way as well and not bat like a tail ender just because we go in at
no. 10 or 11.
Fielding was the only bad part for us on the day. We have to take our
catches.
Man of the Match:
Close betn. Vikas and Sandeep. Sandeep should probably get it for taking 5
wickets and an explosive 22.