We all took off for Rhodes Park in an unusually large convoy and arrived in reasonable time for the game. I would love to say that we were fully prepared for the encounter but that would be a lie. We all overlooked the fact that there were no wicket keeping pads in the kit, and then there was Ani with his little misadventure. Dressed comfortably for the two hour drive to Columbus, he even brought along his whites…everything a cricketer needs, except shoes and socks!!!! Thankfully we were able to call on the services of the one man who always seems to save the day on the field….SUNNY, who just happened to have a spare pair. I don't think Ani could be more relieved to survive a close LBW decision!!! A problem was also averted by the generosity of Shihab allowing us to use their wicket keeping pads.

As usual we wasted time on a toss only to be told that we would be batting. In the absence of Ravi Nair Cleveland 1's very own Smoking Gun/Court Jester JP would join Gautam out in the middle. Gautam with his pads neatly tied, shirt tucked in and bat carried clearly into the sky was complimented by JP, with his shirt hanging out, bat dragging on the ground and desperately trying to suck up that last bit of nicotine before he got into the middle…quite a sight!
Once in the middle JP performed like a man possessed thrashing the attack to all parts as the partnership with Gautam reached fifty in 3.2 overs his contribution of 3 to this grand total was almost as impressive as Gautam who was in rare form. The first three overs yielded 13, 14 and 15 and the fourth was a little less expensive….12 came off it. I don't think I have seen Gautam strike the ball so well and whilst JP may not have matched Gautam's flamboyant stroke play he hit many singles and was as usual excellent between the wickets, maximizing Gautam's exposure to the strike. The hundred came up after 9 overs and anything was possible. Unfortunately for JP he did not survive the arrival of left arm spinner Shariq who removed him in a remarkably similar way to the way he was dismissed last year, a simple spooned up catch to a fieldsman not far from the bat. He unfortunately would not be the last to do that. Either way JP returned to the boundary having made 10 off 18 and providing a valuable support for Gautam who was 77 at the time. He would be joined by Sunny who would play every ball on its merits unleashing when appropriate. One particular four through cover bounced only once, just before the boundary but did not even get above hip height, awesome power. It seemed as though nothing could stop Gautam from reaching three figures as he continued to pulverize the attack until the 15th over when he was victim to a successful lbw appeal that may have glanced the bat for an amazing 83.
Gautam's 83 runs came off a mere 50 deliveries. His first fifty came in 31 deliveries, maintaining the impressive strike rate taking 19 deliveries for his next 33 an amazing effort in the oppressive conditions. His innings was clearly the most majestic I have seen from a Cleveland cricketer in the two and a bit seasons that I have been associated with the club.
Gautam's dismissal saw the arrival of Prashant who hit is fourth ball for a 6. Whilst it was hot for Cleveland batsmen under helmets it must have felt truly stifling for those Shihab players in the field as they were chasing so much leather. After 20 overs the score was 170 with both Prashant and Sunny firing until the dismissal of Prashant run out off a Sunny straight drive that grazed the bowlers hand then broke the wickets at the bowlers end. A most unfortunate way to go out. A well made 16 off 11 gave a glimpse of what may be a promising season with the bat.
Both Ani and Sunny batted through till break before Ani launched one into orbit. When it reentered the atmosphere it was unfortunately short of the boundary and much to our surprise caught there by Khaleem of Shariq. He made 5 off 14. Sunny would not last much longer generously walking when caught behind, but not before making 52 off 49. His immediate entry into his car for AC relief reflected his weary condition upon dismissal, giving Shariq another wicket. By the end of Shariq's over he would have two more. Vignesh caught and bowled for 7 off 9 and Gourav for a second ball zero after surviving a rather curious appeal first ball. If not for a single hit off the bat Shariq would have obtained a rarity…a triple wicket maiden. From being 2/170 we fell to 4/198 then 7/199. Murali joined Michael and helped push the score to 224. It included some boundaries from Michael but a more exciting overthrow incident that generated two extra runs will be remembered longer. Soon Michael fell for 22 off 21. Kiran followed first ball and then Murali was joined by Kaushal who nudged the score up to 239 just one delivery short of the allotted 35 overs. Murali was dismissed for a well made 17 off 18, Kaushal was not out 0. As expected the opposition bowlers took a bit of a beating with three bowlers conceding over 50 runs. One of those Saim bowled better than the 7-0-52-1 suggests though Shariq with his 7-0-31-4 was the stand out.
All in all the score of 239 was a most substantial one, though it could have and possibly should have been higher. We were aided by several dropped catches that may well have been held by more credentialed sides but we had reason to be happy with our achievement. However the job was only half done.
Last year the Shihab batting line up performed exceptionally well against a Cleveland 1 bowling lineup that was nearly identical to the one today. We were all aware that our total was attainable.

Gautam and Kiran took the new ball to Saim and Absar who looked fairly comfortable but not nearly threatening enough to overhaul such a formidable total. The bowling effort took a hit early with Michaels 82 year old bones in the 32 year old body failing him again bringing on Vignesh into the keeping role reducing Cleveland 1 to 10 men. Soon afterwards Absar tried to lift Kiran out of the park, he connected well but found the waiting hands of Murali…and he held it. Half of the dangerous duo of last year was dismissed. Moazzam, the other half did not hang around long Run out for 3, Shihab were in trouble.
Gautam then replaced himself with Prashant and after blowing out some cobwebs bowled with great penetration. He was tested when Saim emphatically struck a glorious six yet fell to Prashant's very next ball caught and bowled for 16. A just reward for some good bowling. The ball was then tossed around in the direction of Murali and Kaushal who along with Kiran, who was bowled out, went about dismantling the middle order. Kaushal bowling wrist spin for the first time in Midwest competition (correct me if I am wrong Kaushal) and his form was most impressive. Kiran removed Nasir for 21 then Sarfraz next ball to complete his seven over spell giving him the figures of 7-0-25-3…and yes a hat trick awaits. Khaleem also went without scoring, albeit dubiously, Shariq joined the bird procession being removed from zero as well. By this stage the score was 8-90. The game was effectively won. At the end of the innings Sunny (Shihab) hit away lustily and scored some runs with the support of Amir at 10 lifting the score over 120 an event that drew a remarkable similarity to last year against COBCA;)…. yet the final result was never in doubt. Shihab were finally dismissed after 30 overs for 129 when Sunny from Shihab was caught by Sunny from Cleveland for 31, giving Cleveland a 111 run victory.
Kiran and Kaushal led the wicket taking feast with three a piece with the rest being spread between Gautam, Prashant and Murali whilst the smoking gun bowled three overs without a wicket.

Gautam was duly awarded the Man of the Match honours which of course he thoroughly deserved. Lets hope three weeks in India enhances the form:

We all departed the scene rather quickly and returned back with a win that was satisfying. The fielding was of a good standard and the feeling amongst the players was healthy and we hope that we can carry the enthusiasm onto the next match this coming Sunday….

Before departing a few messages

A big thanks to Shihab for allowing us the use of their wicket keeping pads for the game.

Also a good luck message to Sujay who is about to go under the surgeons knife. Take your time in recovery your season is not over.

Good Luck to Gautam on his journey back to India and whatever it may yield;)

Congrats to Cleveland 2 on thier win on Saturday
Always remember….two teams ONE CLUB