CWBCC Chairmen's XI vs New Zealanders
at Fardin Qayyumi CC
Scorecard
Ball By Ball
On a drenched outfield, Zac Ritchie and Chris Raftery snatched a dramatic victory for the Chairmen's selected, after 17 was required off the last 12 balls. It should not have been possible to botch a chase of 204 against Chris Martin and his motley crew of second-choice New Zealand bowlers; yet absolute gritfests from Speirs, Read and Malthus threatened to result in an embarrassing defeat. Instead, New Zealand's shortcomings were highlighted.
New Zealand were no strangers to gritfests; if it hadn't been for McCullum, who actually scored at a decent clip, the 30-over total of 113 for one would have been even lower. Having reached 113, they failed to double that in the remaining 20 overs, as rapid falls of Sinclair, Nicol, Flynn and Ryder saw the team in serious trouble at 147 for five. McCullum and Oram needed to rescue the effort, and did so, but only added 56 in 11 overs - with Raghav applying for the job as death bowler in a senior franchise, as his four overs went for 15.
In response, the Chairmen's XI were almost as slow as the tourists. Luff and Speirs hit three boundaries; in their remaining 66 balls faced, 20 runs were taken. Martin and Mason got away easily with the first 14 overs, even taking a wicket each as the openers slogged out. Ben Read went in the 19th, unable to continue his domestic form, but Dinu de Silva showed an ability to take the singles in his sweet 34.
Raftery was enlisted with another recovery job, the score standing at 111 for four when he joined Malthus. This worked well, helped by some awful deliveries and a friendly umpire, yet the required run rate crept steadily upwards. A maiden over from Vettori to Raftery in the 46th seemed to have settled the matter, with 26 required off 24, and when Malthus played and missed four times to Mason in the next over, the situation was critical.
An edge from Malthus went for four in the next over, before Vettori had a stone dead lbw appeal turned down - 19 required off 12. It seemed impossible, but Malthus did his best to the team effort as he took off for a suicidal run after a dab down. McCullum needed to help and easily ran him out before he'd moved more than five yards; Ritchie in to bat with 16 required off eight. Mason then stumbled short with his next ball, and the Red batsman said thanks; a hefty slog flew over midwicket and suddenly the scores were managable. Ritchie took strike at the end of the over, on seven off two.
An incredible ball followed. Ritchie hit Nicol's offering back over his head, Sinclair returned from the deep...a couple of yards over McCullum's head. One of the worst overthrows in modern history helped the hosts get home for three, and Raftery could seal the matter - with two required off two, an edge flew through the close-in field and the Chairmen's XI had won by five wickets.
New Zealanders 203 for five (50)
BB McCullum 83; G Sriram 2/43
CWBCC Chairmen's XI 206 for five (49.3)
JB Malthus 61
CWBCC Chairmen's XI won by five wickets
Man of the Match: Z. J. Ritchie (Chairmen's XI)