DERBY

Mike Taylor

In what is bound to become a highlight on the Cleveland sporting calendar, up there with any Steelers or Yankees fixture. The clash between the two Cleveland Cricket Club sides on June 28 promised to be a thrilling encounter and by the time the final ball was delivered, it had lived up to all the hype!

In what was a first for the Cleveland 2 side we found ourselves batting first. Rajan and Nikhil took to the middle against the opening attack of Prasad and to our surprise Patrick. The first few overs were fairly even with both bowlers and batsmen having victories over one another. However the Cleveland 2 cause was being helped considerably by some dropped catches from the "1" side. Thankfully these chances were seized upon by the Cleveland 2 opening pair who not only saw off the new ball but began to build up a respectable run rate all the while keeping thier wickets in tact, so far so good the Cleveland 2 players on the sidelines were beginning to like this. Both Rajan and Nikhil began to play more strokes as the ball lost its shine but the running between wickets was a highlight. Ones became twos and we even converted the odd three, it was entertaining stuff as the much fancied Cleveland 1 side appeared rattled by not just the stubbiness of the 2 side but the stroke making prowess on display by the two openers. Nikhil who had been batting beautifully was dismissed with the score on 81 just three deliveries short of the mid innings break. Nikhil's score of 39 was entertaining and a great confidence booster, not just for himself but for his team who was given an ideal launching pad to reach a score in excess of 175.
After the break Rajan (who felt much better after inhaling a cancer stick at the break) was joined by Lokesh who took up where Nikhil left off. Together Rajan and Lokesh showed off the running between wickets which had been worked on during the recent training sessions, at the same time displaying a vast array of shots. Rajan who by now was seeing the ball like it was coming to him in slow motion unleashed some brilliant shots off the very capable Cleveland 1 attack. He launched into one of Anis overs taking thirteen off it and his six that he hit off Prasad over long on was quite possibly the best shot that anyone in the Cleveland 2 side all season. Of particular pleasure to those in the know on the sidelines was that Rajan did kept his head down at all times. Often in past innings Rajan looked vulnerable immediately AFTER hitting a six, now he was a picture of concentration as he played every ball on its merits. As a result the score continued to climb. The support he was receiving from Lokesh was invaluable. Lokesh's ability to place the ball into the smallest of gaps won admiration from both the batting and bowling sides. In fact by the time Rajan was dismissed for 81in the 31st over, he had placed his side into a position which it was completely unaccustomed to. Plenty of runs on the board and with ample wickets in hand. His innings of 81 (the highest he has complied in his time at Cleveland Cricket Club) was an inspiring captains knock and his partnership with Lokesh of 92 was one to behold.
Three wickets quickly followed in the remaining overs in what was a desperate attempt to propel the score over 200. This was done with style as Lokesh continued to hold the innings together before his selfless dismissal for 44 on the second last delivery. At the end of the allotted 35 overs Cleveland 2 displayed what they had always thought they were capable of scoring 5/206.

Whilst there is no doubt that a score on the board does count for alot we knew the task that lay ahead better than any other side in the competition. The Cleveland 1 side although shell-shocked by the Cleveland 2 onslaught is a very talented side that has played together for sometime and haven't lost a game so far this season. Nobody was under any illusions as to how difficult the task at hand would be.

Sameer took the new ball and generated considerable pace making life difficult for Rakesh Kant. The early dismissal of Rakesh was a good start as was the dismissal of Ramit in the fifth over taken by man of the moment Lokesh at first slip off Sameer's bowling. The fall of these wickets bought the talented Ani and the wirely Rakesh Srivastava to the crease. Ani's first scoring shot was a lofted stroke over midwicket for four off Rajan's bowling, clearly signaling his intent to keep up with the required run rate. The next few overs produced some enthralling cricket Rakesh was desperately trying to turn the strike over to Ani but kept ending up in a tangle with his batting partner. Unfortunately for us we were unable to seize any of these opportunities. Whether it was a fumble at the stumps, a bad throw and yes a couple of those catches bagan to be dropped again. The ghost of Bharath had come to haunt us again as it seemed as though there was a screen of invincibility over Ani and Rakesh we could not get them out. Then with a couple of overs before break Ani latched onto a lofted straight drive. The ball seemed to go into the stratosphere as Sameer went backwards and held the catch, then folded his arms. What followed was a very heated debate between various members of both Cleveland sides as to the validity of the catch. I am not about to reopen wounds on this one as they still run deep with some people all I will say is this... To all members of opposing midwest sides who read this match report (and I know you are out there) if you were ever under the impression that the game between the two Cleveland sides would be a nice little social gathering between 20-30 mates on a Saturday afternoon you were mistaken. Believe me no quarter was given throughout this encounter!!! The break soon arrived and the Cleveland 1 side began sipping their gatorades with the score at 2/87.
The chaotic running between wickets continued as did our puzzling inability to capitalize. It was left to the ever reliable Murali to remove Ani for a very well made 57. Enter Prasad. Prasad who had a flight to catch later that afternoon wanted to do some damage before he departed. Two consecutive sixes one of which sailed between the rugby conversion posts saw some heads in hands but the very next ball he was on his way to that man Murali again. Meanwhile up the other end Rakesh seemed to be trying desperately to get himself out but we were not obliging whether it was a catch or a run out he was still there. It was not until he was caught at short third man by substitute Kiran that finally saw him depart, finally Rakesh was gone for 28 with the score at 151 after 27 overs. The game was fairly evenly poised at this stage. Cleveland 1 required more than a run a ball which would have challenged most sides, but the considerable batting depth boasted by the Cleveland 1 side, which the Cleveland 2 side was well aware of would remain a stumbling block. Sunny strolled to the wicket at the fall of Rakesh's wicket and he joined Patrick who by now had his eye in. He took particularly heavy toll on Rajan's last over hitting sixteen of three of the last four deliveries. However new life was breathed into the match when Nikhil held a clutch catch at point to remove Patrick of Lokesh's bowling. The only problem the next batsman was Ravi. The seemingly bottomless pit of talented batsmen was always going to hold the Cleveland 1 side in good stead. Coupled with the fact that it was Ravi who single handedly scored 17 runs off the Cuyahoga attack to win that memorable practice match just a few weeks ago. Unfortunately for the Cleveland 2 side Ravi did not disappoint his Cleveland 1 teammates. His clever use off the ball got the required run rate below one a ball and with the capable assistance of Sunny put the game beyond the reach of Cleveland 2 as the winning run was struck with one over to play. The not out batsmen were Ravi on 20 and Sunny on 12.

With regards our performance of course we displayed improvement in many areas. Our batting was far more disciplined and as a result the runs flowed. Generally our bowling was more accurate, far less wides, but a troubling and curiously high amount of no balls, our fielding whislst an improvement on Columbus still needs work. All in all though tt just shows us what we are all capable of against quality opposition. What we must also show is discipline when things do not go our own way, everything can unravel as a result of such behavior, we can all work on that one.
After events concluded on the pitch we gathered at the Days Inn at Brecksville and it was pleasing to see that the Cleveland spirit that had gone walkabout for some parts of the day had returned and a good night was had by all. A special thanks to those who organized the festivities, with such a strong turnout I am sure that more can happen in the future. In the final wash up we did lose a winnable game but the positives were obvious, how we go about capitalizing on those plusses in the next encounter against West Virginia University and beyond is the true test of how much has been gained from this match, and I cannot wait to find out....

BRING ON WEST VIRGINIA!!!!