After struggling for batsmen all last season it was extremely pleasing to be able to pick 10 of them for this game - Chris Sweet's rapid fire 54* a few weeks back certainly elevated him into that status.
The only non-batsman in our team promptly lost the toss and was shocked to hear the opposition captain say that we could have a bat. Without stating the bleeding obvious, the heat was stifling and we were glad they were out fielding in it. Richie (having just stepped off a flight from the US) and Corbon opened up steadily...or should I say Richie did. Corbs, on the other hand, was in a definite hurry taking 12 off his first three balls faced including a straight hit six that set the tone for the rest of our innings. The score was on 43 in the 9th over when Richie top edged a hook/pull to the keeper for 10. Pat Kelly joined Corbs at the crease, taking the score to 1/75 at the first drinks break. We were targeting another 250+ score.
That all changed after drinks as the runs really started to flow. Both batsmen were scoring off virtually every ball and there were plenty of boundaries amongst them. Corbon brought up his 50 with another four and Pat soon decided that boundaries were much easier than running ones and twos. The run rate since drinks was around 10 an over and both batsmen were approaching their personal milestones. Unfortunately Corbon didn't get there as he skied one to mid wicket for fine 93 off just 60 deliveries. The pair had put on 114 in 12 overs. It was to be the second biggest partnership of the innings.
Two for 157 after 21 overs, and 300+ had become the new target - although not for long. Dharmik was the new man in and wasted little time getting among the runs. His first scoring shot went for six and was followed by Pat reaching his first 50 for ANZA later that over.
The hitting seen in the next 12 overs is best described as brutal. Those 72-odd balls yielded a mammoth 155 unbeaten runs, 122 of them in boundaries (including 17 sixes). Pat had raced along to 89, spent 3 balls in the nervous nineties and then brought up an amazing century with a six over the bowler's head that was still on an upward trajectory as it rocketed over the sightscreen. Not content with a mere ton, he upped the scoring rate even further after that, hitting 40 off the next 10 balls. This included 28 in a single over, one ball of which was a dot. Pat was dismissed soon afterwards, the deep cover fielder taking an athletic one-handed diving catch. His innings of 146 came off just 74 balls with 14 sixes and 7 fours. ANZA were 3 for 312 in the 32nd over.
At the other end and virtually unnoticed, Dharmik had snuck up to 45 off 30 balls and brought up his second 50 in succession with a lofted six. He was caught a few balls later for 53. With 350 now looking likely, the middle order came out with just one intention. Pete, Gav & Chris all cleared the rope before Tony, Paul & Ash took us to a mammoth 359 off our 40 overs. The innings had featured 28 sixes.
With storm clouds on the horizon we wanted to get the minimum 16 overs bowled as soon as we could. SIA needed to reach a Duckworth/Lewis/Parabola target of 184 off 16 overs and then hope that it rained. They weren't going to win it any other way. Their opener made his intentions clear immediately. He took 15 off the first over from yours truly including a nick through slips and a French cut. However Ash Perrott at 2nd slip pocketed a sharp chance off Chris Sweet next over and their opener was gone. The game then turned farcical as the new batsman immediately complained about the light to the umpires. Ordered to keep playing, the other opener took off for a quick single on a ball hit to mid on. Tony Edmondstone picked it up and knocked the one stump he had to aim at out of the ground with the batsman well short. The new man was in no hurry to get onto the field despite the umpires maintaining that the light was still sufficient for the game to continue. Their captain argued the decision with the umps for a few minutes, the new batsman finally made it to the crease and four balls later was back in the sheds as Chris removed his off stump. Three for 19 off four. The SIA captain then refused to send the next batsman out to the middle. Their not-out batsman was happy to continue and was quite embarrassed by the whole scenario. The light hadn't changed much and the umpires' decision to continue play remained unchanged. SIA were told they would forfeit the match if they refused to play but their captain was belligerent and ANZA was awarded a forfeit with maximum points. Despite the 10 points, it was a disappointing way to end what had been a very memorable game.
Proud Skipper
ANZA 8 for 359 off 40 overs (28x6)
Pat Kelly 146 off 74 balls (14x6, 7x4)
Corbon Loughnan 93 off 60 (5x6, 7x4)
Dharmik Kumar 53 off 33 (5x6, 2x4)
SIA 3 for 19 off 4 overs
Chris Sweet 2 wickets for 1 off 2 overs
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