Explosive Batting, Reverse Sweep, Diving Run-out And An Achilles Heel
Hi,
Getting into the car I was kicking myself for not wearing something warmer, such was the chill in the morning. As the day progressed the chill started to fade and the sun was out in its full glory, but it still wasn't breathing down our necks. The weather was amazing, couldn’t ask for a better start. We had a decent turnout promising couple of entertaining games … what else can you possibly ask for on a Sunday morning (I can think of only one combination ... 'chai' and Glucose biscuit)
Team A: Senthil, Pankaj, Amit, Partha and Vivek
Team B: Rajesh, Venki, Abhijeet J, Chandru and Anand
Common man: Arvind
Believe me, I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. Last Sunday we had a full house and there was some live entertainment on the side, but this Sunday’s game was awesome. It had all the ingredients … amazing batting performances, jaw-dropping comebacks, logic-defying fielding. All I can say is, I am glad I was there to witness the awesome reverse sweep and an equally amazing run-out which changed the course of one of the games.
Team A won the toss and elected to bat. I think Amit and Partha opened the innings. They were going steady, scoring runs at an easy pace. Their departure brought Pankaj and Senthil onto the scene, which set about whirlwind of activity. They went about dissecting the bowling in a clinical fashion. Pankaj was especially brutal. He hit some huge shots and the score board appeared to be running out of breath. The run rate suddenly went to about 6-6.5 per over. I vividly remember calculating it and thinking how the hell are we going to match this blitzkrieg. These two were hitting and running briskly between the wickets. There were couple of high risers which could have been converted, but unfortunately for the fielding side the players decided to play it safe and stop the ball rather than take a chance (we should definitely do something about this mindset … I myself am guilty of this behavior). This further emboldened the two batsmen and they started taking more chances. Vivek gave them good company and by the time the game ended they had made 67 runs in 10 overs. Team B needed couple of good partnerships. For them to succeed their star batsman had to perform, he had to stay through till the end. I think for Team B, Rajesh and Venki opened the innings. The opening pair combination must have definitely sent a signal to the opposite side … Team B meant business, it was playing to win! The two put on a good show .They were playing decently and would have continued the dream run had it not been for an awesome display of fielding by Partha. The batsman (let me see if you can guess who it was … I was told to be discrete … he he he …) playing a rather innocuous looking shot pushed one to mid-on and dashed for the non-striker’s end. The ball was traveling rather briskly and was out of Partha’s reach, but he did not give up. He dived and stopped the ball. Without bothering to stand-up, he took a shy at the stumps and scored a direct hit. Partha had given his team something to cheer about. It was an amazing display of agility, presence of mind and pure fielding genius ... something we all should strive to match. I still remember his posture, … knees on the ground, extending himself to take a good look at the stumps before throwing the ball. It was a big blow, only a miracle could save Team B from a disaster. Rajesh tried his best, but could not find his footing after Venki left (Oops!). Abhijeet J and Chandru did their bit but it wasn't sufficient. In the end it was left to Arvind to bring some honor to the team, which he did very valiantly. Waging a lone battle he played marvelously. He caused a mini panic in Team As camp and caused Team B to chant his name every time the bowler got to the crease. Standing at long off I found myself cheering him very vocally. He played in his characteristic style, not going lofting the ball, but just pushing them for singles and twos, which is exactly what was needed. He went on like this for couple of overs, but in the end fell a bit short. Team B lost the match by about 15-17 runs. The coup of a run-out that Partha had pulled off threw Team B totally out of gear and they never really got back into the groove except for a few overs towards the end. Team A won the match comfortably.
The second match began with Team B opening the innings. I think again Rajesh and Venki opened the innings and this time too. They combined very well. They were primarily responsible for taking the team to a respectable total. Venki as usual was in his prime. I am not sure if it was this or the previous match, but he actually hit a reverse sweep which went over the rope after couple of bounces. They say reverse sweep is a predetermined shot, you don’t wait for the ball, you have to be ready for anything that is thrown at you. And Venki was ready. I have seen couple of batsmen try the shot and fail. It was a treat and I am glad I was part of the game. The funny thing was that seeing Venki hit on the leg-side, Sethil ran over from his off-side position only to get check-mated. Chandru gave them good company. In the end after 8 overs Team B had scored 48 (or maybe 49) runs. Team A had to come up with it’s "A" game. They had to overcome aching muscles and joints to pull this one off. Partha and Amit again opened the innings. The first over was a bit slow, but I guess it was just a lull before the storm because Partha who had been rather reticent till now suddenly exploded and I had to bear the brunt of his attack. In my second over he hit two fours and a six setting the stage for a takeover. The six came off a huge heave over deep mid-wicket. It was a towering shot. Pankaj and Senthil followed in his footsteps. While in the first innings Pankaj was mainly instrumental in fleecing Team B’s bowlers, this time around Senthil mowed through the bowling attack. Abhijeet J was instrumental in sending Pankaj back to the dugout owing to some great presence of mind. Senthil, not being able to keep it down lofted one gently to Abhijeet J who was standing at mid-on. Unfortunately he could not hold on it, but he didn't give up. Seeing Senthil and Pankaj making a dash for the opposite end, he quickly gathered himself and the ball and threw it to Arvind who did the rest. This afforded Team B some respite and they felt as if they saw some light at the end of the tunnel. The last pair was batting, if only they could Senthil and Vivek out they could go home happy. Venki took it upon himself to do the honors. As you know he has quite a few tricks up his sleeve, he can bowl the slower one, a flighted one and the most lethal, the quick one. He unleashed all of them on Vivek who found it quite difficult to middle any of them and was left chasing their trajectories. Team B felt as if they could pull this one off, but Senthil had something else in mind. In the penultimate over he single-handedly changed the course of the game in his team’s favor making the ball cross the rope multiple times. The crowning glory came in the form of a six in the covers region, it was an amazing shot. After scoring some quickfire runs he got run out while stealing a cheeky single. But he had done his job, he had brought the team very close to a win. I think they needed 2 runs to win. Vivek was the last man standing. Determined to finish the game in this over itself, not letting Venki do an encore, Vivek was determined to score the required runs in this over. Sensing blood Team B gathered around Vivek in an attempt to stop the single, but Vivek was able to break the shackles and hit one over the head on the leg and score the much needed single .Team A had won the match but not before getting a scare of their life.
Both the teams played some great cricket. Even though Team A proved to be the better team, Team B should be given credit for their comebacks and not letting Team A take the game for granted even for a second. The matches had some great moments. Rajesh and Senthil proved once again why they are considered as safe pair of hands. They caught 3 a piece. One of Rajesh’s was a high riser which he judged very well. Pankaj in the first innings and Senthil in the second innings dominated the batting scene. Venki with his reverse sweep competed with Partha for the top play of the game. Not to be left out Arvind showed great grit and determination while trying to fight it out alone fending Team A and trying to keep them at bay. There were couple of controversies where it could be debated whether one of the team's fumbles during the second match were genuine or calculated misfields. The joke going around was that batting side had the on-side covered so the bowling side had to bowl on the off if they had any desire to win the game. I am sure they were genuine misses … but then who knows [;)].
This brings me to the ‘Achilles Heel’ part of the title … I will refrain from naming the individual. I think one of our great players can be manipulated and pressured to think twice before scoring a run … this will be more evident to those who were present this past Sunday. I found it quite interesting, I am not sure if he was just playing along, but I think there was some palpable apprehension … let’s see how those who were present this past Sunday use it to their advantage in the coming weeks … I will definitely be watching. I will keep you guys posted on the proceedings. It’s going to be interesting!
As you see, we had awesome couple of games, hopefully you can join us next week to see what I am talking about.
You guys have a nice rest of the w eek.
Bye.
Anand
Getting into the car I was kicking myself for not wearing something warmer, such was the chill in the morning. As the day progressed the chill started to fade and the sun was out in its full glory, but it still wasn't breathing down our necks. The weather was amazing, couldn’t ask for a better start. We had a decent turnout promising couple of entertaining games … what else can you possibly ask for on a Sunday morning (I can think of only one combination ... 'chai' and Glucose biscuit)
Team A: Senthil, Pankaj, Amit, Partha and Vivek
Team B: Rajesh, Venki, Abhijeet J, Chandru and Anand
Common man: Arvind
Believe me, I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. Last Sunday we had a full house and there was some live entertainment on the side, but this Sunday’s game was awesome. It had all the ingredients … amazing batting performances, jaw-dropping comebacks, logic-defying fielding. All I can say is, I am glad I was there to witness the awesome reverse sweep and an equally amazing run-out which changed the course of one of the games.
Team A won the toss and elected to bat. I think Amit and Partha opened the innings. They were going steady, scoring runs at an easy pace. Their departure brought Pankaj and Senthil onto the scene, which set about whirlwind of activity. They went about dissecting the bowling in a clinical fashion. Pankaj was especially brutal. He hit some huge shots and the score board appeared to be running out of breath. The run rate suddenly went to about 6-6.5 per over. I vividly remember calculating it and thinking how the hell are we going to match this blitzkrieg. These two were hitting and running briskly between the wickets. There were couple of high risers which could have been converted, but unfortunately for the fielding side the players decided to play it safe and stop the ball rather than take a chance (we should definitely do something about this mindset … I myself am guilty of this behavior). This further emboldened the two batsmen and they started taking more chances. Vivek gave them good company and by the time the game ended they had made 67 runs in 10 overs. Team B needed couple of good partnerships. For them to succeed their star batsman had to perform, he had to stay through till the end. I think for Team B, Rajesh and Venki opened the innings. The opening pair combination must have definitely sent a signal to the opposite side … Team B meant business, it was playing to win! The two put on a good show .They were playing decently and would have continued the dream run had it not been for an awesome display of fielding by Partha. The batsman (let me see if you can guess who it was … I was told to be discrete … he he he …) playing a rather innocuous looking shot pushed one to mid-on and dashed for the non-striker’s end. The ball was traveling rather briskly and was out of Partha’s reach, but he did not give up. He dived and stopped the ball. Without bothering to stand-up, he took a shy at the stumps and scored a direct hit. Partha had given his team something to cheer about. It was an amazing display of agility, presence of mind and pure fielding genius ... something we all should strive to match. I still remember his posture, … knees on the ground, extending himself to take a good look at the stumps before throwing the ball. It was a big blow, only a miracle could save Team B from a disaster. Rajesh tried his best, but could not find his footing after Venki left (Oops!). Abhijeet J and Chandru did their bit but it wasn't sufficient. In the end it was left to Arvind to bring some honor to the team, which he did very valiantly. Waging a lone battle he played marvelously. He caused a mini panic in Team As camp and caused Team B to chant his name every time the bowler got to the crease. Standing at long off I found myself cheering him very vocally. He played in his characteristic style, not going lofting the ball, but just pushing them for singles and twos, which is exactly what was needed. He went on like this for couple of overs, but in the end fell a bit short. Team B lost the match by about 15-17 runs. The coup of a run-out that Partha had pulled off threw Team B totally out of gear and they never really got back into the groove except for a few overs towards the end. Team A won the match comfortably.
The second match began with Team B opening the innings. I think again Rajesh and Venki opened the innings and this time too. They combined very well. They were primarily responsible for taking the team to a respectable total. Venki as usual was in his prime. I am not sure if it was this or the previous match, but he actually hit a reverse sweep which went over the rope after couple of bounces. They say reverse sweep is a predetermined shot, you don’t wait for the ball, you have to be ready for anything that is thrown at you. And Venki was ready. I have seen couple of batsmen try the shot and fail. It was a treat and I am glad I was part of the game. The funny thing was that seeing Venki hit on the leg-side, Sethil ran over from his off-side position only to get check-mated. Chandru gave them good company. In the end after 8 overs Team B had scored 48 (or maybe 49) runs. Team A had to come up with it’s "A" game. They had to overcome aching muscles and joints to pull this one off. Partha and Amit again opened the innings. The first over was a bit slow, but I guess it was just a lull before the storm because Partha who had been rather reticent till now suddenly exploded and I had to bear the brunt of his attack. In my second over he hit two fours and a six setting the stage for a takeover. The six came off a huge heave over deep mid-wicket. It was a towering shot. Pankaj and Senthil followed in his footsteps. While in the first innings Pankaj was mainly instrumental in fleecing Team B’s bowlers, this time around Senthil mowed through the bowling attack. Abhijeet J was instrumental in sending Pankaj back to the dugout owing to some great presence of mind. Senthil, not being able to keep it down lofted one gently to Abhijeet J who was standing at mid-on. Unfortunately he could not hold on it, but he didn't give up. Seeing Senthil and Pankaj making a dash for the opposite end, he quickly gathered himself and the ball and threw it to Arvind who did the rest. This afforded Team B some respite and they felt as if they saw some light at the end of the tunnel. The last pair was batting, if only they could Senthil and Vivek out they could go home happy. Venki took it upon himself to do the honors. As you know he has quite a few tricks up his sleeve, he can bowl the slower one, a flighted one and the most lethal, the quick one. He unleashed all of them on Vivek who found it quite difficult to middle any of them and was left chasing their trajectories. Team B felt as if they could pull this one off, but Senthil had something else in mind. In the penultimate over he single-handedly changed the course of the game in his team’s favor making the ball cross the rope multiple times. The crowning glory came in the form of a six in the covers region, it was an amazing shot. After scoring some quickfire runs he got run out while stealing a cheeky single. But he had done his job, he had brought the team very close to a win. I think they needed 2 runs to win. Vivek was the last man standing. Determined to finish the game in this over itself, not letting Venki do an encore, Vivek was determined to score the required runs in this over. Sensing blood Team B gathered around Vivek in an attempt to stop the single, but Vivek was able to break the shackles and hit one over the head on the leg and score the much needed single .Team A had won the match but not before getting a scare of their life.
Both the teams played some great cricket. Even though Team A proved to be the better team, Team B should be given credit for their comebacks and not letting Team A take the game for granted even for a second. The matches had some great moments. Rajesh and Senthil proved once again why they are considered as safe pair of hands. They caught 3 a piece. One of Rajesh’s was a high riser which he judged very well. Pankaj in the first innings and Senthil in the second innings dominated the batting scene. Venki with his reverse sweep competed with Partha for the top play of the game. Not to be left out Arvind showed great grit and determination while trying to fight it out alone fending Team A and trying to keep them at bay. There were couple of controversies where it could be debated whether one of the team's fumbles during the second match were genuine or calculated misfields. The joke going around was that batting side had the on-side covered so the bowling side had to bowl on the off if they had any desire to win the game. I am sure they were genuine misses … but then who knows [;)].
This brings me to the ‘Achilles Heel’ part of the title … I will refrain from naming the individual. I think one of our great players can be manipulated and pressured to think twice before scoring a run … this will be more evident to those who were present this past Sunday. I found it quite interesting, I am not sure if he was just playing along, but I think there was some palpable apprehension … let’s see how those who were present this past Sunday use it to their advantage in the coming weeks … I will definitely be watching. I will keep you guys posted on the proceedings. It’s going to be interesting!
As you see, we had awesome couple of games, hopefully you can join us next week to see what I am talking about.
You guys have a nice rest of the w eek.
Bye.
Anand
Comments
Post a Comment