Bowlers wreak havoc on Nondescripts pitch
In a game that saw only 354 runs scored, due to some massive cracks in the Nondescripts pitch, the home team somehow defended 186 against Yorkshire, as batsmen from both teams threw away their wickets.
Nondescripts batted first and both openers Sangakkara and Arnold failed to make many runs, while Nawaz and Tillakaratne were also soon back in the pavillion, leaving the Nondescripts 4/45. The Yorkshire bowlers were having a field day, as the ball jagged violently both ways, and spun at right angles. Third drop Muzumdar made a well-fought 34 off 56, and combined with Kulasekara for a 36 run partnership. Kulasekara battled on well in the stifling heat, but the conditions were incredibly tough for batting; he never looked comfortable, and despite some glorious drives, many of his runs came from edges. He failed to find much support from the tail, however, with Bahutule (15) and Pradeep (2) not staying around for long, with both of them tempted into big shots in an attempt to up the run rate. The run rate, however, never got over four an over, and at 7/114 it looked as though Nondescripts would be all out for under 150. Komasaru, coming in at number 9 however, joined Kulasekara in batting sensibly and the two of them put on an eventaully match-winning unbeaten partnership of 72. The home team finished on 7/186, with Kulasekara 82* off 116, and Komasaru 20* off 27.
Despite his long innings and suggestions from his captain, Kulasekara refused to be denied the use of the new ball, and he backed it up as he dismissed McGrath for 9. Komasaru, bowling first change, dismissed the other opener Andrew Strauss for 23, leaving Yorkshire 2/42. Despite bowling too many four balls, Komasaru managed to use the pitch and bowl some incredible balls, and he soon had Gillian and Solanki out. Paul Collingwood top scored for Yorkshire from number 3 as batsmen fell all around him, but even he couldn't hang around for long as he eventually fell to Malinga for an even 50. Vaughan smashed an uncharacteristic 14 ball 26, but failed to read Pradeep's wrong'un and was stumped going for another six. Brophy and Hoggard both fell to Bahutule's spin, which was turning incredible distances. Silverwood at number 9 fought valiantly for 21* off 51, but Malinga and Komasaru came back and polished off numbers 10 and 11 to grant Nondescripts an incredible win by 18 runs.
After the game, Nondescripts manager Andyc backed up the groundsman, who had been lambasted by the game's commentators.
"We're a Sri Lankan team, and we rely on spin. Naturally, we're going to want a pitch that can help us as much as possible. I fully support the curator's work here today, and I hope he can produce more pitches of this quality."
Nondescripts 7/186
Kulasekara 82* (116), Muzumdar 34 (56), Komasaru 20* (27)
Collingwood 2/27, Blain 2/50
Yorkshire 168 (42)
Collingwood 50 (75), Vaughan 26 (14), Strauss 23 (32)
Komasaru 4/35 (5), Bahutule 2/36 (6)
