Cricket: ZEK: Concordia v/s VVV (28-May-2016)
Disciplined bowling and Faizal’s fifty gives Concordia 5- wicket victory
VVV: 191-9 in 40 overs (Rayman 65, Phani 2-17)
Concordia: 192-5 in 35.2 overs (Faisal 51)
1st Innings – VVV
After winning the toss, VVV decided to bat first on a clear and sunny afternoon. VVV made a cautious start hoping to take advantage of the fast outfield later. Yash and Phani opened the bowling for Concordia. Yash used his speed and bounce (or no bounce later) to intimidate the batsmen while Phani restricted the scoring options for the batsmen with his disciplined bowling. Sasanka took a brilliant low catch at gully in Yash’s fourth over to remove Abkari after being hit for two boundaries. Balkison then got out to Phani’s persistent line offering Rajeev a simple catch at silly mid-off. The score then read 35-2.
In came Rayman, who looked experienced and Balkison, a young left handed batsman. Both batsmen looked to attack on the leg side. Aakarshit and Vidhvath bowled well in tandem. Aakarshit bowled aggressively with pace without providing any width to Rayman while Vidhvath was relentless bowling on Balkison’s unfavorable off-side line after being hit for two boundaries in the leg side. Balkison finally gave up giving a simple catch again to Rajeev in a similar fashion as his namesake. Ayube was the new batsman in who had no intention of scoring. Nakul and Sumedh bowled well during the middle overs offering no pace. Rayman played with intent scoring boundaries and rotating the strike and reached his half century.
Yash and Phani were brought back in to bowl. Ayube was run out after a momentary brain freeze. Rajeev collected the ball at silly mid-off and ran to the stump removing the bails while the batsman was stranded in the middle of the pitch and thus breaking the 72 run partnership. Aakarshit took a good catch off Phani’s bowling to remove zee for a duck. Phani finished his quota with figures of 2-17. The score was 130 for 5. Yash was unable to control the ball and was disallowed from bowling further after bowling two beamers. Rayman eventually got run out trying to rotate the strike for a well-played 65.
Aakarshit and Vidhvath were brought back to bowl. Both bowlers restricted the lower order batsmen, Aakarshit in particular finished his spell with two consecutive maidens including a wicket and finished with figures of 1-24. Vidhvath removed Shazaaib for a duck before being hit for three boundaries in his last over. He finished with 2-25. Sasanka completed the first innings with a tidy over. VVV had set Concordia a target of 192 runs.
2nd Innings – Concordia
After a decent lunch, Hemant and Faisal were sent in to open the batting. With the target being reasonable, they were given the freedom to take their time at the crease. Faisal punished the bad balls which included a huge six and a stylish four in consecutive deliveries. Hemant got out for 3 and the partnership was broken at 43. Sumedh came in at number 3 for Concordia.
Both Sumedh and Faisal took charge of the batting. Faisal being the aggressor scored boundaries at will and brought up his half century, the highlight of which was his “champion dance”. He then gave away his wicket after gifting a simple catch to Abqari to end the 57 run partnership. Sumedh meanwhile played the anchor role playing cautiously. Aakarshit came in to bat. He saw off a tense period of Abqaris spin bowling which included 2 huge shouts for LBW. He then eased the pressure by smacking the bowler for a boundary. The pair played sensibly until Aakarshit was out eventually after being adjudged LBW. The new batsman, Sasanka was unlucky and got out to the slow bowling of Ayube.
With the signs of rain looming in and still 50 runs required, Nakul was sent to play his natural aggressive style of cricket. As the score inched closer to the target, the pair played some exquisite shots. Sumedh sweetly timed Zee’s bowling for a boundary in the cover region. Unfortunately he got out to Zee’s pace for a well-played 30. Rupert went in to play next as he did not want to lose this match to rain. His innings included a huge six down the ground in Zee’s final over.
The pair saw Concordia through the finish line for a much earned victory. It was a complete team performance from the Concordians. The fielding in the match was good. The bowling was disciplined except for the extras column. The batsmen played their parts well to lead the team to victory.
-Vidvath
