Mr Mxyzptlk
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Unfortunately for Nath and his fellow Aussies, day two and three not for another hour or so. 
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*Official* Season XIII Discussion and Results
- Thread starter Mr Mxyzptlk
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Mr Mxyzptlk
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Season XIII Match of the Day Coverage
The Road to the Manuel Ramprakash Challenge Trophy
Day Two
At the CW Oval
Dave Watt and David Kennett brightened up Colts faces with an inspired performance to drag Cricket Web Red back into their fixture at the Oval. The fast bowlers shared 6 wickets and the feeble Blue middle order was again exposed in a sensational morning session. CW Blue scored 95 runs in the session, but lost 7 wickets and slumped to 163-7 after an opening stand of 84. Thamba Mamesh batted brilliantly through to his half-century, but on 55 he nicked Kennett to second slip.
The dismissal triggered a collapse of 4 wickets for 27 runs. The inexperience of the middle order was clearly evidenced, and only the batting of Stephen Young held the innings together. He scored a composed 56, but shortly before lunch he padded up to Nayak and was lbw. After lunch the Reds needed just 10 balls to take the remaining wickets. Adam Collins uncharacteristically slogged Nayak to mid-on, where Raghav took an excellent catch, jumping vertically at full stretch. The next ball Nayak beat the bat of Shah with a full ball and had his appeal upheld for a second wicket in as many balls. And a day after Kyle Wright took 4 in 4, Nayak completed his first career hat-trick as Sriram edged to slip.
The celebrations hardly matches those at the Fardin Qayyumi CC, but Nayak was ecstatic about his achievement. CW Blue were all out for 163, losing their last 4 wickets for no runs. And Nayak finished with 4 wickets in 5 balls and figures of 4 for 5. The momentum was back in the camp of CW Red as they set out to play their second innings. Shah dropped Mork two balls into the innings, off his own bowling, and it would prove crucial as the day unfolded. CW Red moved nervously to tea on 55-2, but played with increasing confidence in the final session.
Both batsmen looked comfortable at the crease and the pitch appeared to be flattening out nicely. But just as he looked set to go to stumps, David Kearsley top-edged an innocuous delivery, attempting a paddle sweep, and was caught by Mamesh for 32. He was replaced by Chris Dwyer and CW Red lost no further wickets on the evening. By stumps Mork stood unbeaten on 53, with his team in the lead by 164 runs.
Cricket Web Red 1st innings 189
CR Dwyer 44, GKK Dobson 31, JR Gray 29
M Shah 4-36, AAA Collins 3-54
Cricket Web Blue 1st innings 163
S Young 56, T Mamesh 55, PE Young 23
GN Nayak 4-5, DM Kennett 3-47, DJ Watt 3-50
Cricket Web Red 2nd innings 138-3
H Mork 53*, DA Kearsley 32, GKK Dobson 17
BJ Taylor 2-37, M Shah 1-18
_________________________________________
At the Fardin Qayyumi CC
The fireworks of the previous evening spilled over into the morning of day two, and an energetic crowd was on hand to see the Colts wrap up the Cricket Web Black first innings within 15 minutes of play. Greg Thomas took the final wicket and increased his tally to 4, leaving Alex Blackman not out and heroic with 49 to his name. It was largely through his effort that the Blacks led by 47 runs when the Colts took to the crease for the second time.
The home team desperately needed a brave showing from their openers, and they posted 45 before Jennifer Law drove loosely and was caught by Armstrong at backward point. The looseness of the shot and simplicity of the dismissal was a worrying sign for the Colts, who still trailed by 2 runs. But Bosco Fitzsimmons dropped anchor in support of Griffen, and the two arrived at lunch without further loss. However, it was barely so. Griffen was incredibly dropped by Smith at slip, the simplest of chances. He was on 43 then and added 15 before Davis took the fielders out of the equation and trapped him in front of the stumps for 58.
Two balls later Davis uprooted the middle stump and left Liam Howgate shaking his head, knowing he could do nothing to prevent his dismissal for the second time in the match. A collapse seemed imminent, but the crowd stayed with their team and shouted support as they again fought back. They reached tea on 167-3 and with Fitzsimmons healthily placed on 51 not out. After tea he appeared to trade grit for a manner too casual and supplied Davis with a simple caught-and-bowled when on 53. Jasotharan took his cue to accelerate scored 10 singles off the next 10 balls he faced.
The fifth wicket partnership took shape of 68 runs and the Colts approached the last hour edging into control. Blackman missed the simplest of run out chances and Kerr survived, but could get no further than 27 when he drove uppishly and was caught in the covers. It was the breakthrough CW Black needed so late in the day, and they grabbed two more wickets before stumps. Jasotharan increased his momentum and threatened a run-a-ball again, but when he had 89 he scooped the ball to short extra cover. It was the penultimate delivery of the day, so Weber only had to survive one ball and was not out on 1 at stumps.
Cricket Web Colts 1st innings 116
MW Wilson 29, BC Fitzsimmons 24
HT Davis 5-26, NL Patrick 2-21
Cricket Web Black 1st innings 163
AR Arnold 51, AJ Blackman 49*, RP Congdon 24
KS Wright 5-42, GM Thomas 3-70
Cricket Web Colts 2nd innings 284-7
S Jasotharan 89, J Griffen 58, BC Fitzsimmons 53
NA Borcich 4-72, HT Davis 3-66
_________________________________________
At the CWBCC Stadium
Cricket Web Green bowled out the Masters XI for 269 and fought back into contention in their fixture. Josh Forner took 4 for 45 to lead the charge, and after looking imposing at 220-5, the veterans collapsed to lead by just 50 runs.
Ed Smith stood out with 111, but was Forner's third victim in his impressive haul. The innings ended shortly after tea, so CW Green had 24 overs to face until the close. They started positively and scored 54 for the first wicket, then Heath Streak struck twice quickly to hinder the charge. Nick Scott lashed a cut shot chest high to Lance Klusener at point, and Ben Read lasted only 3 balls when he was bowled by an offcutter. Rob Malone jr. and Chris Raftery then combined strongly again and carried the score to 79-2 at stumps.
Cricket Web Green 1st innings 219
R Malone 56, CP Raftery 46, S Reddy 34
MV Nagamootoo 4-35, HH Streak 2-39
Masters XI 1st innings 269
ET Smith 111, GO Jones 37, HH Streak 26
JNE Forner 4-45, EAP McNamara 3-64
Cricket Web Green 2nd innings 79-2
NG Scott 33, R Malone 24*, CP Raftery 15*
HH Streak 2-24
The Road to the Manuel Ramprakash Challenge Trophy
Day Two
At the CW Oval
Dave Watt and David Kennett brightened up Colts faces with an inspired performance to drag Cricket Web Red back into their fixture at the Oval. The fast bowlers shared 6 wickets and the feeble Blue middle order was again exposed in a sensational morning session. CW Blue scored 95 runs in the session, but lost 7 wickets and slumped to 163-7 after an opening stand of 84. Thamba Mamesh batted brilliantly through to his half-century, but on 55 he nicked Kennett to second slip.
The dismissal triggered a collapse of 4 wickets for 27 runs. The inexperience of the middle order was clearly evidenced, and only the batting of Stephen Young held the innings together. He scored a composed 56, but shortly before lunch he padded up to Nayak and was lbw. After lunch the Reds needed just 10 balls to take the remaining wickets. Adam Collins uncharacteristically slogged Nayak to mid-on, where Raghav took an excellent catch, jumping vertically at full stretch. The next ball Nayak beat the bat of Shah with a full ball and had his appeal upheld for a second wicket in as many balls. And a day after Kyle Wright took 4 in 4, Nayak completed his first career hat-trick as Sriram edged to slip.
The celebrations hardly matches those at the Fardin Qayyumi CC, but Nayak was ecstatic about his achievement. CW Blue were all out for 163, losing their last 4 wickets for no runs. And Nayak finished with 4 wickets in 5 balls and figures of 4 for 5. The momentum was back in the camp of CW Red as they set out to play their second innings. Shah dropped Mork two balls into the innings, off his own bowling, and it would prove crucial as the day unfolded. CW Red moved nervously to tea on 55-2, but played with increasing confidence in the final session.
Both batsmen looked comfortable at the crease and the pitch appeared to be flattening out nicely. But just as he looked set to go to stumps, David Kearsley top-edged an innocuous delivery, attempting a paddle sweep, and was caught by Mamesh for 32. He was replaced by Chris Dwyer and CW Red lost no further wickets on the evening. By stumps Mork stood unbeaten on 53, with his team in the lead by 164 runs.
Cricket Web Red 1st innings 189
CR Dwyer 44, GKK Dobson 31, JR Gray 29
M Shah 4-36, AAA Collins 3-54
Cricket Web Blue 1st innings 163
S Young 56, T Mamesh 55, PE Young 23
GN Nayak 4-5, DM Kennett 3-47, DJ Watt 3-50
Cricket Web Red 2nd innings 138-3
H Mork 53*, DA Kearsley 32, GKK Dobson 17
BJ Taylor 2-37, M Shah 1-18
_________________________________________
At the Fardin Qayyumi CC
The fireworks of the previous evening spilled over into the morning of day two, and an energetic crowd was on hand to see the Colts wrap up the Cricket Web Black first innings within 15 minutes of play. Greg Thomas took the final wicket and increased his tally to 4, leaving Alex Blackman not out and heroic with 49 to his name. It was largely through his effort that the Blacks led by 47 runs when the Colts took to the crease for the second time.
The home team desperately needed a brave showing from their openers, and they posted 45 before Jennifer Law drove loosely and was caught by Armstrong at backward point. The looseness of the shot and simplicity of the dismissal was a worrying sign for the Colts, who still trailed by 2 runs. But Bosco Fitzsimmons dropped anchor in support of Griffen, and the two arrived at lunch without further loss. However, it was barely so. Griffen was incredibly dropped by Smith at slip, the simplest of chances. He was on 43 then and added 15 before Davis took the fielders out of the equation and trapped him in front of the stumps for 58.
Two balls later Davis uprooted the middle stump and left Liam Howgate shaking his head, knowing he could do nothing to prevent his dismissal for the second time in the match. A collapse seemed imminent, but the crowd stayed with their team and shouted support as they again fought back. They reached tea on 167-3 and with Fitzsimmons healthily placed on 51 not out. After tea he appeared to trade grit for a manner too casual and supplied Davis with a simple caught-and-bowled when on 53. Jasotharan took his cue to accelerate scored 10 singles off the next 10 balls he faced.
The fifth wicket partnership took shape of 68 runs and the Colts approached the last hour edging into control. Blackman missed the simplest of run out chances and Kerr survived, but could get no further than 27 when he drove uppishly and was caught in the covers. It was the breakthrough CW Black needed so late in the day, and they grabbed two more wickets before stumps. Jasotharan increased his momentum and threatened a run-a-ball again, but when he had 89 he scooped the ball to short extra cover. It was the penultimate delivery of the day, so Weber only had to survive one ball and was not out on 1 at stumps.
Cricket Web Colts 1st innings 116
MW Wilson 29, BC Fitzsimmons 24
HT Davis 5-26, NL Patrick 2-21
Cricket Web Black 1st innings 163
AR Arnold 51, AJ Blackman 49*, RP Congdon 24
KS Wright 5-42, GM Thomas 3-70
Cricket Web Colts 2nd innings 284-7
S Jasotharan 89, J Griffen 58, BC Fitzsimmons 53
NA Borcich 4-72, HT Davis 3-66
_________________________________________
At the CWBCC Stadium
Cricket Web Green bowled out the Masters XI for 269 and fought back into contention in their fixture. Josh Forner took 4 for 45 to lead the charge, and after looking imposing at 220-5, the veterans collapsed to lead by just 50 runs.
Ed Smith stood out with 111, but was Forner's third victim in his impressive haul. The innings ended shortly after tea, so CW Green had 24 overs to face until the close. They started positively and scored 54 for the first wicket, then Heath Streak struck twice quickly to hinder the charge. Nick Scott lashed a cut shot chest high to Lance Klusener at point, and Ben Read lasted only 3 balls when he was bowled by an offcutter. Rob Malone jr. and Chris Raftery then combined strongly again and carried the score to 79-2 at stumps.
Cricket Web Green 1st innings 219
R Malone 56, CP Raftery 46, S Reddy 34
MV Nagamootoo 4-35, HH Streak 2-39
Masters XI 1st innings 269
ET Smith 111, GO Jones 37, HH Streak 26
JNE Forner 4-45, EAP McNamara 3-64
Cricket Web Green 2nd innings 79-2
NG Scott 33, R Malone 24*, CP Raftery 15*
HH Streak 2-24
Mr Mxyzptlk
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Taking a break from writing. Dinner awaits. At best I'll get one more day's report in before tomorrow.
It does not make me happy to make you all suffer...
It does not make me happy to make you all suffer...
headhunter
International Vice-Captain
Ohhh such a close game going on here.
The Baconator
International Vice-Captain
Have a bad feeling about this.
Mr Mxyzptlk
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Season XIII Match of the Day Coverage
The Road to the Manuel Ramprakash Challenge Trophy
Day Three
At the CW Oval
Strong batting from both sides left the game intriguingly poised at the CW Oval. Cricket Web Blue closed the day on 136-1, but need 234 more to keep their hopes alive in the race to the final. For the moment such hopes rely heavily on Thamba Mamesh, who remained unbeaten on 81 at stumps, involved in a partnership of 93 with Stephen Young (33 not out) for the second wicket.
Earlier Cricket Web Red made the best of good batting conditions and set the game up nicely with a large second innings total. Though the odd ball rose sharply from a good length, the bowlers received little encouragement and the Red batsmen should have scored more but did enough to take control of the game. Chris Dwyer lost his captain, Mork, for 77 in the morning session, but batted positively to a composed century. The ball did not so much as beat the bat throughout his innings, and he only offered a chance on 107, dropped by Shah at midwicket. But he added only 9, and was ninth out, bowled by Collins for 116.
Through the day Dwyer's was the greatest measure of resistance, and he dominated all of the partnerships he was involved in before his downfall at 313. The lead for the Reds was already a challenging 339, but Dave Watt struck the ball cleanly and with vigor in 19 of a stand of 30 for the last wicket. While the tailenders enjoyed themselves in the critical partnership, the Blues looked progressively more frustrated and the game appeared to be slipping from their reach. Sriram was recalled and immediately broke through with a slower ball yorker that Watt played around.
The target was set at 370 and the Blues, haunted by their failures in their last three first-class innings, set out on their chase. In the first over Mamesh was caught offguard by a low full toss and lobbed a catch back at Kennett. But the bowler also appeared surprised and duly missed the chance. After tea Mamesh was again let off, driving loosely outside the offstump and dropped by Mork behind the stumps. CW Red could not have known how telling the two drops would prove, but the reaction of Mork suggested that they might. Pete Young was run out for 12, but Mamesh continued to grow in confidence, though he hit only one boundary before he reached 50.
With Stephen Young playing the technical correct and solid partner, Mamesh began to flow toward the end of the day. He hit the final ball of the day off the back foot and deep over cover. It was an extraordinary shot and ended the day on an extraordinary note, with a six.
Cricket Web Red 1st innings 189
CR Dwyer 44, GKK Dobson 31, JR Gray 29
M Shah 4-36, AAA Collins 3-54
Cricket Web Blue 1st innings 163
S Young 56, T Mamesh 55, PE Young 23
GN Nayak 4-5, DM Kennett 3-47, DJ Watt 3-50
Cricket Web Red 2nd innings 343
CR Dwyer 116, H Mork 77, DA Kearsley 32
BJ Taylor 4-69, AAA Collins 3-104
Cricket Web Blue 2nd innings 136-1
T Mamesh 81*, S Young 33*, PE Young 12
Cricket Web Blue require 234 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand.
_________________________________________
At the Fardin Qayyumi CC
Cricket Web Colts began the day in the lead by 238 runs and with 3 wickets in hand. The game delicately poised, Cricket Web Black needed early wickets to sprint ahead in the evenly balanced affair. And to the delight of Dan Smith, the fast bowlers responded efficiently and effectively. Nick Borcich produced a sharp toe-crushing yorker that collapsed Nick Hancock to the ground and sent him back to the pavilion for 6.
The next ball Wright stood up and whacked a boundary back over the bowler's head. But such resilience was short-lived. In the next over Davis found his length and got Tarick Weber edging behind. There Smith gleefully accepted and confirmed a 9-wicket haul for the rookie. A mere 5 balls later, Wright was a sixth victim of Borcich and the innings came to an end at 292. The target for CW Black was then 246 and under cloudless skies, the Colts hoped the inconsistent bounce of the pitch would work in their favour. It did early on. Smith tried to pull a rising ball but overcompensated and dragged it onto legstump when had 2. His partner was much more authoritative against the short bowling, and scored 5 boundaries in a pleasant cameo of 39. But when he was caught-and-bowled by Wright, it seemed a tame surrender at an important moment. The Colts pressed on with that slim advantage and Thomas brought the ball back in at Alex Blackman, and he was lbw for 29. There would have been more celebrations too, but Will Kerr dropped Daniel Speirs when on 1, and CW Black welcomed lunch at 89-3.
The game hung in the balance when the players returned for another session. But while the Colts tried to apply pressure with pace and spin under sunny skies, they were increasingly reminded of how good the pitch was turning out to be. Little worked to break the stride of the batsmen, and when the Colts managed something outstanding, the fielders failed to back it up. Speirs got tangled up trying to pull a full delivery, but Bosco Fitzsimmons misjudged the easy chance and hardly got his fingers to the ball after seemingly settling under it. Fortune favours the brave - the cliche - and unlike the fielders, Speirs clutched his many chances with both hands. Gerard Armstrong eased through to a half-century, but the unsung hero was Speirs. A season ago he operated as a mediocre spinner who hardly played, and since his conversion to a batsman opportunities have still been few and far between. Thus it was a pleasant sight as he settled in for the most important innings of his young career.
After tea Armstrong showed the first sign of vulnerability when he edged a wide delivery from Wright and the ball flew at chest height at Fitzsimmons. But beyond belief he dropped his second catch of the day, and at 200-3 it seemed the most crucial. Speirs clipped Thomas for 2 to bring up his 50, then flashed at the next ball and edged through to Jasotharan. He dropped the catch. Wright held his head in his hands, wondering what he could possibly do to lift his team. The next chance went down too, though at 237-3, it was hardly game-changing. The Blacks cruised home by 7 wickets and the Colts were left ruing missed opportunities and praying for a Cricket Web Blue collapse at the Oval.
Cricket Web Colts 1st Innings 116 all out
Wilson 29, Fitzsimmons 24, Davis 5-26, Patrick 2-21
Cricket Web Black 1st Innings 163 all out
Arnold 51, Blackman 49*, Wright 5-42, Thomas 3-70
Cricket Web Colts 2nd Innings 292 all out
Jasotharan 89, Griffen 58, Borcich 6-77, Davis 4-70
Cricket Web Black 2nd Innings 246 for 3
Armstrong 87*, Speirs 70*, Thomas 2-83, Wright 1-72
Cricket Web Black won by 7 wickets.
Man of the Match: HT Davis (Black)
Scorecard
Ball by Ball
_________________________________________
At the CWBCC Stadium
A chancy 92 from Gonzalez helped Cricket Web Green to a challenging total and set the Masters XI 302 to win. After Rob Malone jr. dominated the morning session with a composed 78, Gonzalez arrived at the crease early in the second session. Malone played a loose shot to be caught off Heath Streak in the gully, and the next ball Gonzalez drove wildly outside offstump and was dropped by Lara at first slip.
From such humble origins he assisted Sunil Reddy to a very impressive half-century, and then was dropped again, by Benkenstein. Nagamootoo built on his first innings heroics with the wickets of Reddy (56) and Gundry in quick succession (8), but Gonzalez continued with his charmed life and mixed in some excellent back foot shots in his half-century. At tea he had 62 and after it he lost the company of Josh Forner before he had added to his score. Still on 62 he survived a confident appeal for lbw, which looked to be adjacent on replay.
Gonzalez batted on and was dropped again - Jones in on the act - and scaled the heights of 92 before his demise. Finally his luck ran out when an lbw appeal was upheld, even though he appeared to have it the ball. His dismissal was the eighth of the innings. Andy Cameron took advantage of the sloppy fielding and played a handy innings of 16 not out, tacking on crucial runs and elevating the score to 351. The Masters set out to chase 302, but faced only 1 over before stumps, finishing on 2-0.
Cricket Web Green 1st innings 219
R Malone 56, CP Raftery 46, S Reddy 34
MV Nagamootoo 4-35, HH Streak 2-39
Masters XI 1st innings 269
ET Smith 111, GO Jones 37, HH Streak 26
JNE Forner 4-45, EAP McNamara 3-64
Cricket Web Green 2nd innings 351
JP Gonzalez 92, R Malone 78, S Reddy 56
HH Streak 4-80, MV Nagamootoo 2-50
Masters XI 2nd innings 2-0
ET Smith/GO Jones 1*
The Road to the Manuel Ramprakash Challenge Trophy
Day Three
At the CW Oval
Strong batting from both sides left the game intriguingly poised at the CW Oval. Cricket Web Blue closed the day on 136-1, but need 234 more to keep their hopes alive in the race to the final. For the moment such hopes rely heavily on Thamba Mamesh, who remained unbeaten on 81 at stumps, involved in a partnership of 93 with Stephen Young (33 not out) for the second wicket.
Earlier Cricket Web Red made the best of good batting conditions and set the game up nicely with a large second innings total. Though the odd ball rose sharply from a good length, the bowlers received little encouragement and the Red batsmen should have scored more but did enough to take control of the game. Chris Dwyer lost his captain, Mork, for 77 in the morning session, but batted positively to a composed century. The ball did not so much as beat the bat throughout his innings, and he only offered a chance on 107, dropped by Shah at midwicket. But he added only 9, and was ninth out, bowled by Collins for 116.
Through the day Dwyer's was the greatest measure of resistance, and he dominated all of the partnerships he was involved in before his downfall at 313. The lead for the Reds was already a challenging 339, but Dave Watt struck the ball cleanly and with vigor in 19 of a stand of 30 for the last wicket. While the tailenders enjoyed themselves in the critical partnership, the Blues looked progressively more frustrated and the game appeared to be slipping from their reach. Sriram was recalled and immediately broke through with a slower ball yorker that Watt played around.
The target was set at 370 and the Blues, haunted by their failures in their last three first-class innings, set out on their chase. In the first over Mamesh was caught offguard by a low full toss and lobbed a catch back at Kennett. But the bowler also appeared surprised and duly missed the chance. After tea Mamesh was again let off, driving loosely outside the offstump and dropped by Mork behind the stumps. CW Red could not have known how telling the two drops would prove, but the reaction of Mork suggested that they might. Pete Young was run out for 12, but Mamesh continued to grow in confidence, though he hit only one boundary before he reached 50.
With Stephen Young playing the technical correct and solid partner, Mamesh began to flow toward the end of the day. He hit the final ball of the day off the back foot and deep over cover. It was an extraordinary shot and ended the day on an extraordinary note, with a six.
Cricket Web Red 1st innings 189
CR Dwyer 44, GKK Dobson 31, JR Gray 29
M Shah 4-36, AAA Collins 3-54
Cricket Web Blue 1st innings 163
S Young 56, T Mamesh 55, PE Young 23
GN Nayak 4-5, DM Kennett 3-47, DJ Watt 3-50
Cricket Web Red 2nd innings 343
CR Dwyer 116, H Mork 77, DA Kearsley 32
BJ Taylor 4-69, AAA Collins 3-104
Cricket Web Blue 2nd innings 136-1
T Mamesh 81*, S Young 33*, PE Young 12
Cricket Web Blue require 234 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand.
_________________________________________
At the Fardin Qayyumi CC
Cricket Web Colts began the day in the lead by 238 runs and with 3 wickets in hand. The game delicately poised, Cricket Web Black needed early wickets to sprint ahead in the evenly balanced affair. And to the delight of Dan Smith, the fast bowlers responded efficiently and effectively. Nick Borcich produced a sharp toe-crushing yorker that collapsed Nick Hancock to the ground and sent him back to the pavilion for 6.
The next ball Wright stood up and whacked a boundary back over the bowler's head. But such resilience was short-lived. In the next over Davis found his length and got Tarick Weber edging behind. There Smith gleefully accepted and confirmed a 9-wicket haul for the rookie. A mere 5 balls later, Wright was a sixth victim of Borcich and the innings came to an end at 292. The target for CW Black was then 246 and under cloudless skies, the Colts hoped the inconsistent bounce of the pitch would work in their favour. It did early on. Smith tried to pull a rising ball but overcompensated and dragged it onto legstump when had 2. His partner was much more authoritative against the short bowling, and scored 5 boundaries in a pleasant cameo of 39. But when he was caught-and-bowled by Wright, it seemed a tame surrender at an important moment. The Colts pressed on with that slim advantage and Thomas brought the ball back in at Alex Blackman, and he was lbw for 29. There would have been more celebrations too, but Will Kerr dropped Daniel Speirs when on 1, and CW Black welcomed lunch at 89-3.
The game hung in the balance when the players returned for another session. But while the Colts tried to apply pressure with pace and spin under sunny skies, they were increasingly reminded of how good the pitch was turning out to be. Little worked to break the stride of the batsmen, and when the Colts managed something outstanding, the fielders failed to back it up. Speirs got tangled up trying to pull a full delivery, but Bosco Fitzsimmons misjudged the easy chance and hardly got his fingers to the ball after seemingly settling under it. Fortune favours the brave - the cliche - and unlike the fielders, Speirs clutched his many chances with both hands. Gerard Armstrong eased through to a half-century, but the unsung hero was Speirs. A season ago he operated as a mediocre spinner who hardly played, and since his conversion to a batsman opportunities have still been few and far between. Thus it was a pleasant sight as he settled in for the most important innings of his young career.
After tea Armstrong showed the first sign of vulnerability when he edged a wide delivery from Wright and the ball flew at chest height at Fitzsimmons. But beyond belief he dropped his second catch of the day, and at 200-3 it seemed the most crucial. Speirs clipped Thomas for 2 to bring up his 50, then flashed at the next ball and edged through to Jasotharan. He dropped the catch. Wright held his head in his hands, wondering what he could possibly do to lift his team. The next chance went down too, though at 237-3, it was hardly game-changing. The Blacks cruised home by 7 wickets and the Colts were left ruing missed opportunities and praying for a Cricket Web Blue collapse at the Oval.
Cricket Web Colts 1st Innings 116 all out
Wilson 29, Fitzsimmons 24, Davis 5-26, Patrick 2-21
Cricket Web Black 1st Innings 163 all out
Arnold 51, Blackman 49*, Wright 5-42, Thomas 3-70
Cricket Web Colts 2nd Innings 292 all out
Jasotharan 89, Griffen 58, Borcich 6-77, Davis 4-70
Cricket Web Black 2nd Innings 246 for 3
Armstrong 87*, Speirs 70*, Thomas 2-83, Wright 1-72
Cricket Web Black won by 7 wickets.
Man of the Match: HT Davis (Black)
Scorecard
Ball by Ball
_________________________________________
At the CWBCC Stadium
A chancy 92 from Gonzalez helped Cricket Web Green to a challenging total and set the Masters XI 302 to win. After Rob Malone jr. dominated the morning session with a composed 78, Gonzalez arrived at the crease early in the second session. Malone played a loose shot to be caught off Heath Streak in the gully, and the next ball Gonzalez drove wildly outside offstump and was dropped by Lara at first slip.
From such humble origins he assisted Sunil Reddy to a very impressive half-century, and then was dropped again, by Benkenstein. Nagamootoo built on his first innings heroics with the wickets of Reddy (56) and Gundry in quick succession (8), but Gonzalez continued with his charmed life and mixed in some excellent back foot shots in his half-century. At tea he had 62 and after it he lost the company of Josh Forner before he had added to his score. Still on 62 he survived a confident appeal for lbw, which looked to be adjacent on replay.
Gonzalez batted on and was dropped again - Jones in on the act - and scaled the heights of 92 before his demise. Finally his luck ran out when an lbw appeal was upheld, even though he appeared to have it the ball. His dismissal was the eighth of the innings. Andy Cameron took advantage of the sloppy fielding and played a handy innings of 16 not out, tacking on crucial runs and elevating the score to 351. The Masters set out to chase 302, but faced only 1 over before stumps, finishing on 2-0.
Cricket Web Green 1st innings 219
R Malone 56, CP Raftery 46, S Reddy 34
MV Nagamootoo 4-35, HH Streak 2-39
Masters XI 1st innings 269
ET Smith 111, GO Jones 37, HH Streak 26
JNE Forner 4-45, EAP McNamara 3-64
Cricket Web Green 2nd innings 351
JP Gonzalez 92, R Malone 78, S Reddy 56
HH Streak 4-80, MV Nagamootoo 2-50
Masters XI 2nd innings 2-0
ET Smith/GO Jones 1*
Last edited:
HeathDavisSpeed
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I'll be hunting down Borcich. ****ing thief stole my tenth wicket.
Still, on the plus side, it seems that I'm starting to get into some semblance of form. 95mph is still a bit short of where I want to be speed-wise. Back down the gym after a few hours at the bar to work on building up a bit more match fitness and pace.
Great french-cricket innings from Spiers it sounds. I was laughing myself silly in the pavillion. Always knew we'd chase down such a paltrey score though.
EDIT: Note to home groundsman. A pitch like that every week please.
Still, on the plus side, it seems that I'm starting to get into some semblance of form. 95mph is still a bit short of where I want to be speed-wise. Back down the gym after a few hours at the bar to work on building up a bit more match fitness and pace.
Great french-cricket innings from Spiers it sounds. I was laughing myself silly in the pavillion. Always knew we'd chase down such a paltrey score though.
EDIT: Note to home groundsman. A pitch like that every week please.
Mister Wright
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Absolutley disgusted by my teams performance in the 2nd innings in the field. Not acceptable at all. We had the chance to put our fortunes in our own hands, and after some magnificent individual performances, it is very disapointing that we were let down by our fieldsmen.
One can only hope for a collapse from Blue. However, if it were to occur it would be a hollow victory for the Colts.
One can only hope for a collapse from Blue. However, if it were to occur it would be a hollow victory for the Colts.
NZTailender
I can't believe I ate the whole thing
Unbelievable. We reserve possibly our worst FC performance for the final, most important match of the season.
Can only hope on a Blue choke now
Can only hope on a Blue choke now
Travis_Teh
International Regular
Carn batsmen! 180 overs and 9 wickets to get 234 for the finals!!!!
CARN!
CARN!
