5th Grade Report vs Northern Districts - Round 11 |
DAY 1 On a Saturday that was so obscenely hot that it drew comments from every Gordon player in relation to Millar winning the toss and bowling, Millar made a tactical call of tails. Turns out tails does fail in New South Wales and Gordon were told to field first in the heat, rather gleefully, I'd imagine, by the ND's captain. (Pat Effeney in action) The only Gordon player who did not sink in their spirits a little was Avendano, but we realised that was only because he did not connect us warming up fielding and bowling, as well as Millar running through the bowling line-up with us fielding that day. Eventually he deduced, as we began to get our whites on, that we were indeed bowling and sent his father to buy four more powerades, on top of the three already sunk that morning. The wicket was grassy, to say the least, meaning that swing was a possibility throughout the day, pending overhead condition's permission. The duo of Lake and Effeney opened up, both coming off the long run in the forty plus degree heat. After two overs each they recognised it wasn't a day for extreme heat, and they shortened their runs dramatically. Lake was replaced by Widders, who bowled economically and with penetration, snaring the first wicket, catching the ND opener in front of the stumps. In an excellent spell he was unlucky not to have a second with a dropped chance at slip. Otherwise, it was tough work for the quicks, with Millar also bowling a good long spell in the heat for little reward. After the quicks realised the middle of the day wasn't really their thing Iqbal and Avendano were thrown the ball. Couldn't have come quick enough, but you didn't hear me say that.
(The master Iqbal in action) The highlight of tea was definitely the ample selection of fruit. Watermelon, grapes and apples were on offer and were welcomed on such a hot day. The lowlight of tea was the refusal of the umpires of our suggestion that a game of cards could settle this battle, rather than this futile struggle with the forty plus degree heat. Surely a good old fashioned game of hold 'em would have been a fairer and less sweaty way of settling this fierce rivalry' It wasn't to be. After tea, with Lake suffering from some sort of heat related illness ('I don't sweat when it's dry heat!') the stags retook the field. The spinners suffered a little in terms of control after the break, with both spinners bowling shoulder high full tosses first ball back. Call it a wicket ball all you like, but they both went for four (deservedly, said in true medium bowler fashion). ND's looked like they were trying to up the run rate, and did so relatively effectively, though relative to the first session anything would look like a six over a side game. They upped the run rate though, with the captain and his number three partner both reaching half centuries. Number three went to Ahmed trying to increase the scoring rate, lobbing a full toss straight to Kleem at mid off. Number four looked like he was told to hit them to a big score, and was successful for a period before succumbing to Avendano LBW.
(I searched the archives for Kenner bowling, but I did find Kenner howling) These two bowlers finished off the day, with a runout leaving them six down for 265. A good effort to restrict the run-rate to just over three, especially on such a hot day. The honours were shared, with five bowlers taking one wicket each. Fielding was generally good, with few errors made and only the one easy catch going down. DAY 2 Sunday was not so hot and rather pleasant for bowling, so it was fitting to find out that ND's were declaring. The pitch was still good for batting though, and the cool weather meant the helmet would be saved some extra moisture. Avendano and Kleem opened up, though not for long, with the embryo falling in the first over, caught at slip. Not really the start we desired. Kenner came in and looked assured pretty much from the start, with a few plays and misses the only blemishes on a fine 88. Kleem also looked good, but fell after another start. Colley continued his good form on his way to a solid twenty, but again fell after a start. The run rate was good but two quick wickets before tea (Colley and Lamont) did not help as we went into tea 4 ' 115. Brown came in and looked good, and another fifty partnership with Kenner swung the game in our favour again.
(Dave Millar hits out) Fittingly, Millar bombed a six over mid wicket to finish it off, leaving Iqbal scratching his head at the other end on 47 not. Sorry Iq, but as you say yourself, that might be the last time this season you're that close to a half century. A very good win by the stags, assisted by the fact that ND's had two quickies playing injured (as my pal from their side didn't hesitate reminding me) but the six points are now ours, leaving us in a good position to pounce and hopefully consolidate a top six spot at the end of the season. Did I mention how hot it was on Saturday? Til next time' Patrick 'Ginger Ninja' Effeney |
Fifth Grade report vs ND Rangers.
Iqbal managed sixteen overs in the heat, restricting the scoring effectively before tea, leading to ND's having a snack at 1 for 80. Avendano also bowled well, with his control being the highlight of his long spell. As a fifth grade leg spinning duo, I couldn't think of a better pair in the competition, and although the wickets didn't come cheaply on Saturday, both bowled with good control. It looked like a situation where restriction was the key to taking wickets and the two spinners bowled accordingly. 
Time passed and eventually Colley was introduced, only for one over though. Millar had another go, and Effeney replaced him. The big surprise at the other end, though, was Kenner being thrown the ball. His first delivery was a rather comical wide, about two pitches away from the target. Kenner will tell you it shaved the off stump, but from the position of Brown it would seem Kenner is fighting a losing battle. Aside from the wides, he actually bowled a good spell. With ND's hitting out towards the end, he managed to snare a dangerous new batsman after Effeney had dismissed the captain, who finally nicked one after several hundred plays and misses.
Unfortunately, Kenner fell just short of his century to what he thought was a dubious LBW decision, claiming he hit it. That's when I started to pad up, and get nervous. Iqbal came in and survived what was apparently a very good LBW shout. I guess luck is a funny old mistress. With Brown falling LBW, captain Millar came in, and looked aggressive from the get-go. ND's had their chances to dismiss both of the larger (and elder) statesmen in the stags side, but were unable, with both striking the ball very cleanly to get us over the line in seventy overs.
