Columbus CC - Rakesh S.

We had our first game of the season yesterday against Columbus Cricket
Club. The game had some good and some bad aspects to it. Rajan lost the
toss and we were asked to field first.

Sameer opened the bowling with Rajan and hit good pace and control.
Rajan provided the perfect balance to Sameer's pace with his gentle
swinging deliveries. Rajan did most of the damage. Sameer was a bit
unlucky not to get wickets despite his good bowling. Overall we bowled
and fielded well and restricted them to 108 all out in 24+ overs. Rajan
3, Sundeep 2, Baqar 2 Rakesh 1 were the wicket takers with 2 run outs.
We probably dropped only one catch if I remember correctly. I should
also mention that Srinivas did an excellent job behind the stumps on
his debut as a wicket keeper. Sure hope he is abe to walk around today.
:-)

After a brief lunch we start the chase. The small target seemed well in
sight when Ravi and Nikhil started. Ravi hit some of his patented pull
shots and we had reached 22/0 in 6 overs. A small parade then started,
with us loosing 4 quick wickets with not much on the score board.
Patrick and Sameer steadied the innings and added some valuable runs.
At 15 over break we were exactly half way through at 55/4. Shortly
after the break another mini collapse followed this time steadied by
Sundeep and Baqar. Both played sensibly and saw us through in 27+ overs
with Sandeep closing it out in style hitting a 6 over point with us
needing 2 to win. Sundeep top scored with 21*, Patrick and Sameer
scored around 20 runs and Ravi and Baqar around 12 runs each were the
main scorers. In the end we scored 113/7 in 27+ overs. Sundeep was
declared man-of-the match.