As is standard for ANZA, the opposition won the toss, however what is not standard was the opposition sending us in to bat, especially as there were only 8 players on the field for the first over. Skipper Spainy unveiled the new batting order which contained a few surprise promotions, most notably for those who were in the Anza Sloggers Sixes side that knocked out Skipper Spainy's Anza Champs last week ( although it was all a coincidence he claims ).
So it was that Paul and Howard opened the batting to a wide open field, with the plan to take their time and settle in. This plan didn't last long as the runs started to come quickly, especially for Howard who was finding the boundary regularly. A bowling change brought results for the opposition with Howard holing out to a great catch over the back of the head skyer. Out came Koushik, but the new partnership didn't last long, with Paul trying to dribble one down leg and sending an easy catch to backward square leg. Koushik soon joined him in the pavilion, out to a dubious LBW.
Runs started to slow down for Josh and James as the real openers started to apply pressure, luckily for James, Mark finally remembered his call of "Noonan" to throw off the fielder when James skied one ( Howard and I thank you for finally remembering ). During this partnership, our new recruit from America Aaron was heard to remark that in his six weeks in Singapore he had never really seen a downpour. Well, that was tempting fate just a bit too much, as just after Mark's "Noonan" call saved Josh, after he danced down the pitch to make sure the ball was not a no-ball, the heavens opened up. Aaron got to see a moderate downpour in Singapore, as those from the British Club game remarked that this wasn't a real downpour and that they should have seen the one at BCC.
Some period of time later, and the match was reduced to 20 overs, and the word was given to James and Josh to get the run rate moving, which the promptly did, with James hitting a lovely straight six. Unfortunately the heavy ground meant most of the runs would need to be made running between the wickets, which proved too much for Josh, playing his second game of the day, run out. This brought out the skipper, and James continued to pile on the runs. With the last over coming up, El Presidente Peter Clarke, who was padded up to come in next, made the outrageous claim "I guess I won't be needed", next ball saw Andrews stumps knocked over and another claim from El Presidente.
Fortunately no other wickets fell, ANZA V were 5 for 136 after 20 overs
After a short break ANZA took to the field with Lawrence taking the new ball with Simon. Lawrence was spot on, however Simon's bowling was a bit wayward, with the fourth over first bringing joy with a wicket, and then Simon was forced from the attack due to dangerous bowling, the slippery ball working against him. Mark completed the over and Lawrence continued his economical spell from the other end. Mark also picked up a wicket with his second over, however sundries were starting to add up, with the ball slipping out of the bowlers hand with maddening frequency. James replaced Lawrence after his spell and picked up a wicket in his first over, going into drinks IIT were 3/57, with ANZA looking the goods.
Unfortunately it was a different story after drinks, as there must have been something in the Alumni drinks because the batsmen started going after the bowling. A few errors in the field, a couple of dropped catches (including a groin splitting slip from myself) and a missed stumping, were all the batsmen needed. After the missed chances the batsmen tried their luck and kept finding the boundary.
Alumni needed 4 off the last over and got it easily, a missed opportunity for an ANZA win.
With our heads bowed, we headed to Harry's to watch the Aussies beat the poms in the Union, so we at least had that to celebrate (except for James)
Batting
James - avoided a 50 again - 46 not out
Josh - 27
Bowling
Mark Flynn 1/25 off 4
James Dickinsen 1/28 off 4
Debutants
Aaron Simmons
Mark Flynn
by Paul McLean
So it was that Paul and Howard opened the batting to a wide open field, with the plan to take their time and settle in. This plan didn't last long as the runs started to come quickly, especially for Howard who was finding the boundary regularly. A bowling change brought results for the opposition with Howard holing out to a great catch over the back of the head skyer. Out came Koushik, but the new partnership didn't last long, with Paul trying to dribble one down leg and sending an easy catch to backward square leg. Koushik soon joined him in the pavilion, out to a dubious LBW.
Runs started to slow down for Josh and James as the real openers started to apply pressure, luckily for James, Mark finally remembered his call of "Noonan" to throw off the fielder when James skied one ( Howard and I thank you for finally remembering ). During this partnership, our new recruit from America Aaron was heard to remark that in his six weeks in Singapore he had never really seen a downpour. Well, that was tempting fate just a bit too much, as just after Mark's "Noonan" call saved Josh, after he danced down the pitch to make sure the ball was not a no-ball, the heavens opened up. Aaron got to see a moderate downpour in Singapore, as those from the British Club game remarked that this wasn't a real downpour and that they should have seen the one at BCC.
Some period of time later, and the match was reduced to 20 overs, and the word was given to James and Josh to get the run rate moving, which the promptly did, with James hitting a lovely straight six. Unfortunately the heavy ground meant most of the runs would need to be made running between the wickets, which proved too much for Josh, playing his second game of the day, run out. This brought out the skipper, and James continued to pile on the runs. With the last over coming up, El Presidente Peter Clarke, who was padded up to come in next, made the outrageous claim "I guess I won't be needed", next ball saw Andrews stumps knocked over and another claim from El Presidente.
Fortunately no other wickets fell, ANZA V were 5 for 136 after 20 overs
After a short break ANZA took to the field with Lawrence taking the new ball with Simon. Lawrence was spot on, however Simon's bowling was a bit wayward, with the fourth over first bringing joy with a wicket, and then Simon was forced from the attack due to dangerous bowling, the slippery ball working against him. Mark completed the over and Lawrence continued his economical spell from the other end. Mark also picked up a wicket with his second over, however sundries were starting to add up, with the ball slipping out of the bowlers hand with maddening frequency. James replaced Lawrence after his spell and picked up a wicket in his first over, going into drinks IIT were 3/57, with ANZA looking the goods.
Unfortunately it was a different story after drinks, as there must have been something in the Alumni drinks because the batsmen started going after the bowling. A few errors in the field, a couple of dropped catches (including a groin splitting slip from myself) and a missed stumping, were all the batsmen needed. After the missed chances the batsmen tried their luck and kept finding the boundary.
Alumni needed 4 off the last over and got it easily, a missed opportunity for an ANZA win.
With our heads bowed, we headed to Harry's to watch the Aussies beat the poms in the Union, so we at least had that to celebrate (except for James)
Batting
James - avoided a 50 again - 46 not out
Josh - 27
Bowling
Mark Flynn 1/25 off 4
James Dickinsen 1/28 off 4
Debutants
Aaron Simmons
Mark Flynn
by Paul McLean
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