“lets have some fun” were the last words the champs heard from my lips before they entered the wet and wild ground of Turf City B at around 2 pm.
The drama had started well before that. With the rain well set in and the umps smoking away under the shed, we like our SPA counterparts were ready and raring to take the field. This was going to be our day…rain, hail or shine.
Eventually the rain god had a snooze and we were on the ground for the toss. “Oh Shit…what do we do”? I asked all but the groundsman. With the drama’s of two weeks ago where a wet ball help create some Champs folklore, not to mention some very tolerant umpiring, I was ready to bat first. My preference for batting was also based on some simple Vegas mantra..... 6 losses in a row while chasing... Surely batting second would do the trick. “But”…...as a skip i've learnt there is always a "But". With the weather the way it was, knowing the target was the smarter non Vegas approach.
As the coin hit the ground, I heard the ump call out “your call”. He was staring at me and I was staring at the sky. As the milliseconds became seconds and nearly a minute. I could here the Champs over my shoulder mutter... "oh shit he's won the toss". Screw Vegas.... I lost money there anyway.... “Fielding it is”.
So back to the wet and wild. Champs took there positions and Klaus started what I consider as one of the best bowling efforts we have seen by a champ this season. Within his first 3 overs, he had 3 for 14 runs and SPA under pressure. Klaus ended the day with 3 for 25 in 5, with 10 wides masking an otherwise great spell. The new and improved, Lord Gibb, after a shaky start, found his rhythm and polished off the 4th SPA batsman. SPA were 4 for around 50 and we were feeling good.
Ashwin and James followed Lord Gibb and Klaus. Ashwin as always gave 100% but with no scalps to show for it. James bowled beautifully and after 3 overs was 6 for 1 wkt....but got some unfair punishment and ended at 28 for 1 in 5. The Champs went into the break with SPA at 5 for 78 after 14 overs and feeling confident. Unfortunately that's where the momentum was lost, that's when the Champs led by yours truly lost the plot and SPA's prayers to Allah paid off. In the following 9 overs SPA amassed a total of 156 doubling their efforts of the first 14. Sorry Champs, 30 runs of 3 overs from your skip was unforgivable and painful. Disco, I'm sure also felt the pain as he ended with 16 in two overs. During all this the champs fielding was above par and Tony and Chiro, showed once again why they are the safest hands in the team. All in all despite great efforts by Klaus and James, the bowling effort had much to be desired. 32 wides in a 23 over game makes life a little bit tough.
With a target of 156, the drizzle and a bunch of devout Muslims waiting for the Champs, the mood was still good. Plenty of banter and support. Not for a second did anyone want a washout. We were there for the kill. Tony and Ashwin padded up and walked in with simple instructions... "have fun". With the rain as unsure about it future as Mrs Nasir (Samosa goddess) was about Lord Gibbs proposal for marriage, Tony and Ash had to ensure 89 runs off the first 12 overs, just in case the rain gods got angrier. 1st ball ... well left ......2nd ball..... Tony jumps only to find the ball hitting the top of his pad, the champs in the shed yelping....”no that's too high”....and the ump, who by the way has drunk enough of our piss post our losses then anyone else, raised his finger. Champs not off to a good start.
Enters Mr Reliable, Champs original skip....Mr Forday. Little did the tea tottling, 100 plus drinking Pakistani's know that they had a Son of Jerusalem amongst them. It was no surprise to see Geoff continue in his merry form and dispatch the ball to the various corners of the ground. He was keeping the strike, come what may and after 5 overs, Geoff was 21 in 28 balls and Ashwin had faced only 1 ball. "Allah o Akbar" ....”god is great” was the cheer from the SPA squad as Geoff succumbed to a lose delivery and skied it. Champs 2 down with 28 on the board in 6 overs.
I arrived at the pitch with Ashwin in good spirits. Ashwin and I pushed the total to 54, with Ash helping me through my shots and ensuring I don't do an afridi. The Pakistani fielding made ours look like Champs. Every ball was followed by yet another field change. They were as organised as the taxi rank in lahore. With the total in mind, style afridi was the solution. But there was a glitch. A leg spinner named Arafat... Yasir Arafat?. Another Son of Jerusalem. "Allah o Akbar" they roared as Ashwin frustrated with the short pitch, ankle high leggies founds himself outside the crease.
Next on to the ground comes a champ who I feel for the most. Someone, who since joining the champs has made the most appearances at nets, both scheduled and on his own time, has run ragged in the field, has been supportive to all and yet awaits his day in the sun. Homi we determined to stay the whole 23 overs. But before he could start we came off for drinks after 12 overs with 55 on the board and a large but achievable 101 in the next 11 overs. With 3 wickets down we were far from out of this one. The boys in the shed reminded us of the need for speed and that's what the game plan was.
Homi's entrance was confident and exit was painful. Like a true champ his face said it all. Unable to deliver for his team his only concern. A mistimed hit saw Mr Arafat catch of his own effort and send homi home.
Chiro's stint at the crease while short, was full of wisdom. With his help we got the runs flowing again and in 5 overs we took the score from 56 to 104. Leaving us with 52 off the last 6. Achievable given what we had achieved in the last 5. Chiro and I were fired up, the rain had nearly stopped, I for a second even imagined calling zahrah to tell her to bring the kids and some extra beers to the ground as we had won. "Allah o Akbar" they cried and chiro starts heading for the shed. This was the over in which chiro and I were aiming to unleash.....
Klaus's arrival at the pitch was comforting. Here is someone who gives 100% in whatever he does and as a skip I would have him on the pitch even before myself. He is a proven run maker both with intelligent singles and big hits when required. We knew what was required....just hit the bad balls and the rest would come. Klaus stuck around for a few and in his attempt to keep the runs flowing, played one on to his stumps. Champs 116 for 6.
This was truly a day when Allah was listening. After a few “Allah o Akbar”, the muslim in me also forgot about the much anticipated beer call and looked to the sky. I was rewarded with a few dropped catches and enough time on the crease to register an enjoyable but hollow 54. Even Allah gave up on me and yours truly skied one, leaving the Champs 7 for 118.
The champs story doesn't end there. What happens next is what makes the champs the champs. James, Disco, Ben and Lord Gibb, all entered the ground to win. They all gave there best and went down fighting. These are the true champs who game after game, bowl and field their guts out, to the point where they start seeing two chiro's behind the stump and then give another 100% as batsmen. This season they have been called upon to deliver again and again, both with the ball and bat. In true champ style not one has ever complained. The last blow came in the last over, lord gibb attempting a 6 lands short, into the hands of jubilant Pakistani.
Champs our bowling was patchy and batting well below its potential. 32 wides and only 3 batsmen in double figures is well below our standard. Having said that, Champs it is a pleasure to play with you all and an honor to be your skip. I'd rather lose all matches with the champs then win one with anyone else.
Mm
The drama had started well before that. With the rain well set in and the umps smoking away under the shed, we like our SPA counterparts were ready and raring to take the field. This was going to be our day…rain, hail or shine.
Eventually the rain god had a snooze and we were on the ground for the toss. “Oh Shit…what do we do”? I asked all but the groundsman. With the drama’s of two weeks ago where a wet ball help create some Champs folklore, not to mention some very tolerant umpiring, I was ready to bat first. My preference for batting was also based on some simple Vegas mantra..... 6 losses in a row while chasing... Surely batting second would do the trick. “But”…...as a skip i've learnt there is always a "But". With the weather the way it was, knowing the target was the smarter non Vegas approach.
As the coin hit the ground, I heard the ump call out “your call”. He was staring at me and I was staring at the sky. As the milliseconds became seconds and nearly a minute. I could here the Champs over my shoulder mutter... "oh shit he's won the toss". Screw Vegas.... I lost money there anyway.... “Fielding it is”.
So back to the wet and wild. Champs took there positions and Klaus started what I consider as one of the best bowling efforts we have seen by a champ this season. Within his first 3 overs, he had 3 for 14 runs and SPA under pressure. Klaus ended the day with 3 for 25 in 5, with 10 wides masking an otherwise great spell. The new and improved, Lord Gibb, after a shaky start, found his rhythm and polished off the 4th SPA batsman. SPA were 4 for around 50 and we were feeling good.
Ashwin and James followed Lord Gibb and Klaus. Ashwin as always gave 100% but with no scalps to show for it. James bowled beautifully and after 3 overs was 6 for 1 wkt....but got some unfair punishment and ended at 28 for 1 in 5. The Champs went into the break with SPA at 5 for 78 after 14 overs and feeling confident. Unfortunately that's where the momentum was lost, that's when the Champs led by yours truly lost the plot and SPA's prayers to Allah paid off. In the following 9 overs SPA amassed a total of 156 doubling their efforts of the first 14. Sorry Champs, 30 runs of 3 overs from your skip was unforgivable and painful. Disco, I'm sure also felt the pain as he ended with 16 in two overs. During all this the champs fielding was above par and Tony and Chiro, showed once again why they are the safest hands in the team. All in all despite great efforts by Klaus and James, the bowling effort had much to be desired. 32 wides in a 23 over game makes life a little bit tough.
With a target of 156, the drizzle and a bunch of devout Muslims waiting for the Champs, the mood was still good. Plenty of banter and support. Not for a second did anyone want a washout. We were there for the kill. Tony and Ashwin padded up and walked in with simple instructions... "have fun". With the rain as unsure about it future as Mrs Nasir (Samosa goddess) was about Lord Gibbs proposal for marriage, Tony and Ash had to ensure 89 runs off the first 12 overs, just in case the rain gods got angrier. 1st ball ... well left ......2nd ball..... Tony jumps only to find the ball hitting the top of his pad, the champs in the shed yelping....”no that's too high”....and the ump, who by the way has drunk enough of our piss post our losses then anyone else, raised his finger. Champs not off to a good start.
Enters Mr Reliable, Champs original skip....Mr Forday. Little did the tea tottling, 100 plus drinking Pakistani's know that they had a Son of Jerusalem amongst them. It was no surprise to see Geoff continue in his merry form and dispatch the ball to the various corners of the ground. He was keeping the strike, come what may and after 5 overs, Geoff was 21 in 28 balls and Ashwin had faced only 1 ball. "Allah o Akbar" ....”god is great” was the cheer from the SPA squad as Geoff succumbed to a lose delivery and skied it. Champs 2 down with 28 on the board in 6 overs.
I arrived at the pitch with Ashwin in good spirits. Ashwin and I pushed the total to 54, with Ash helping me through my shots and ensuring I don't do an afridi. The Pakistani fielding made ours look like Champs. Every ball was followed by yet another field change. They were as organised as the taxi rank in lahore. With the total in mind, style afridi was the solution. But there was a glitch. A leg spinner named Arafat... Yasir Arafat?. Another Son of Jerusalem. "Allah o Akbar" they roared as Ashwin frustrated with the short pitch, ankle high leggies founds himself outside the crease.
Next on to the ground comes a champ who I feel for the most. Someone, who since joining the champs has made the most appearances at nets, both scheduled and on his own time, has run ragged in the field, has been supportive to all and yet awaits his day in the sun. Homi we determined to stay the whole 23 overs. But before he could start we came off for drinks after 12 overs with 55 on the board and a large but achievable 101 in the next 11 overs. With 3 wickets down we were far from out of this one. The boys in the shed reminded us of the need for speed and that's what the game plan was.
Homi's entrance was confident and exit was painful. Like a true champ his face said it all. Unable to deliver for his team his only concern. A mistimed hit saw Mr Arafat catch of his own effort and send homi home.
Chiro's stint at the crease while short, was full of wisdom. With his help we got the runs flowing again and in 5 overs we took the score from 56 to 104. Leaving us with 52 off the last 6. Achievable given what we had achieved in the last 5. Chiro and I were fired up, the rain had nearly stopped, I for a second even imagined calling zahrah to tell her to bring the kids and some extra beers to the ground as we had won. "Allah o Akbar" they cried and chiro starts heading for the shed. This was the over in which chiro and I were aiming to unleash.....
Klaus's arrival at the pitch was comforting. Here is someone who gives 100% in whatever he does and as a skip I would have him on the pitch even before myself. He is a proven run maker both with intelligent singles and big hits when required. We knew what was required....just hit the bad balls and the rest would come. Klaus stuck around for a few and in his attempt to keep the runs flowing, played one on to his stumps. Champs 116 for 6.
This was truly a day when Allah was listening. After a few “Allah o Akbar”, the muslim in me also forgot about the much anticipated beer call and looked to the sky. I was rewarded with a few dropped catches and enough time on the crease to register an enjoyable but hollow 54. Even Allah gave up on me and yours truly skied one, leaving the Champs 7 for 118.
The champs story doesn't end there. What happens next is what makes the champs the champs. James, Disco, Ben and Lord Gibb, all entered the ground to win. They all gave there best and went down fighting. These are the true champs who game after game, bowl and field their guts out, to the point where they start seeing two chiro's behind the stump and then give another 100% as batsmen. This season they have been called upon to deliver again and again, both with the ball and bat. In true champ style not one has ever complained. The last blow came in the last over, lord gibb attempting a 6 lands short, into the hands of jubilant Pakistani.
Champs our bowling was patchy and batting well below its potential. 32 wides and only 3 batsmen in double figures is well below our standard. Having said that, Champs it is a pleasure to play with you all and an honor to be your skip. I'd rather lose all matches with the champs then win one with anyone else.
Mm
0 comments:
Post a Comment