On a rather overcast Cleveland morning ten of the eleven selected players were ready to take the field against the OSU Alumni line up. However none of the opposition players were at the field. So as we practiced in the thick lush grass, a foot long in places, the OSU crew slowly arrived, as did Jayendra who finally escaped from his in laws in Solon. The much anticipated game was ready to begin.

Much to everyone's surprise, including his own, Gautam won the toss and put the opposition in to bat both he and Ani bowled beautifully, often without luck troubling all of the batsmen. However Gautam still managed to capture the early wickets of Vinny and Akshay for three and seven respectively. Change bowlers Vignesh and Sujay kept up the momentum by capturing the wickets of Shuchi and Raj. Raj's dismissal was spectacular as Viggy took a stunning diving catch off his own bowling to bring about the dismissal for 6. Sujay in particular was performing brilliantly, restricting the OSU run rate and always looking dangerous. Unfortunately for OSU they suffered a tragic setback when Viral went down with what looked like a badly damaged ankle or achilles and he was unable to bat. This bought Sandeep to the crease and he was to give Kirti some valuable support as they sought to rescue the innings from collapse. However, it was the latecomer in Jayendra who broke up the partnership removing Sandeep for 18, then the dangerous Sumedha for 1. Sunny did the job on JP and Jayendra took his third removing Abhishek for 1. However even with nine wickets down you can never count out a team like OSU. Kirti who was far and away the best batsman managed to keep the strike and see the score above 100 in trying conditions putting on the second best partnership of the innings before Ani in his first over back removed Kirti for a well made 43. The OSU innings closed at 119.

As for our bowling it was of a high standard. Of the seven bowlers used six took wickets. Jayendra took 3, Gautam 2, Ani 1, Viggy 1, Sunny 1 and Sujay who also took 1 conceded a mere seven runs in his allotted seven overs brilliant bowling. The fielding could have been better but as Gautam said. ôIf I was offered OSU all out for 119 at the start of the day I would have taken it.

The start of the innings saw the combination of Gautam and Ravi N reunited and it seemed like old times as the two of them set out on a course to run down the OSU total in a hurry before Gautam was dismissed for 4 off the bowling of Kirti, playing a shot he would have regretted. Ravi was playing very well unleashing that pull shot and spreading the fieldsmen with ease it looked like nothing could get him out. As it so happened it took the near impossible to remove him, with Raj taking what was considered by all who saw it very close to if not the finest catch seen in recent times. Running back with the flight of the ball he stretched the one hand out and it stuck, the baseballers we see on TV struggle to take such a catch with a huge glove to assist them. Ani came to the wicket and was removed quickly for 7, as was Michael for a big fat 0 and Vignesh, curiously for 9, as the scoring rate virtually stopped as Cleveland sought to stabilize the innings. OSU was remarkably effective in turning around the momentum in fact overs 13 to 25 conceded a mere SEVEN runs. All of a sudden the total of 119 seemed a long way off and with the required run rate being over 7 per over required in trying conditions the pendulum had swung clearly in favor of the visitors. However like a prize heavyweight you can never underestimate a fighter, even when he is down and as things looked bleak in the middle the sizable contingent of team 2 personnel arrived at the ground and started putting their voices towards the effort.

Their voices seemed to inspire confidence in the ears of Sunny and Gaurav as well as remind OSU that they were indeed a long way away from their own supporter base. Slowly but surely there was a turnaround. Whilst Sunny was finding it difficult to connect Gaurav was working the ball well for a regular supply of singles and twos before Sunny began to connect clearing boundaries and spreading the field to all corners of the paddock as the Cleveland Cricket Club found voice. Unfortunately Gaurav was run out for a very well made 13. Things were not completely there for Cleveland 1 when Sujay arrived at the wicket but his cool head and considerable talent saw him take is tally to 8 not out and Sunny made it to 33 not out when the winning runs were scored with an over to spare. Just like the Cuyahoga game last year Sunny came to the rescue His 39 not out was clearly the best score of the day. His more than handy bowling and his sure hands in the field are a huge asset to the side.thanks for staying around.

The OSU attack was as always diligent and the fielding of a high standard as they fought hard with only ten men on the field. Abhishek taking 3/13 from his seven overs leading the way.

The years have shown that OSU has held the whip hand over Cleveland 1 and the Cleveland Cricket Club prior to the arrival of a second team in 2003. The win today, despite its obvious shortcomings should not be dismissed or taken lightly as we beat a quality XI out there today. Whilst it was a team effort there are players who can clearly improve facets of their own game that can only help our own side climb higher this year. It was also particularly pleasing to see the amount of Cleveland 2 players lending their voice to the team effort. It is fair to say that their support may well have been the difference in getting us over the line. It was great to see the benefits of being a true CLUB and the power that numbers and unity can bring. The game also seen Nikhil doing a good job as neutral umpire.

Next game sees us take on Fours and Sixes. A new team, and to us a team of unknowns, who will have our respect from the very first ball. We have two wins against teams of unquestioned talent thus far, LETS KEEP THE BALL ROLLING!!!!!!