There’s nothing better than a sunny day in Belgium, and there’s nothing better than playing cricket on a sunny day, and there’s nothing better than playing Cricket at the Lush Green RBCC.
The extended Juniors Match gave invaluable time at the Nets for the Senior Stars.
“Captain” Chris (Sounds cool, isn’t it 😜), in a very typical and traditional RBCC manner asked JD, the skipper of 12 Stars to have the choice either to bat or bowl. JD politely requested to bat, as anyone would, on a hot sunny day.
Jahanur and Sarath started the innings, with Jahanur, particularly in a rampant mood. He raced to his 50 in no time with some swashbuckling boundaries that caught the opposition completely off guard. Jahanur lost his “Jaan” trying to make the most of it, since the skipper requested him to retire at the end of the over. Amit joined Sarath, who was silent until then and then began to let his bat talk. Some sweetly middled shots mixed with scintillating sixers carried Sarath to his 50 before he retired. Shreyans joined Amit who was enjoying (only he can explain what he went through 😜) his time in the middle with some lusty blows and healthy leaves. Shreyans could not get his rhythm and was out for an inside edge while Nagesh made a quick visit to the pitch and left😜
Abhishek Tanvi stabilized a bit with Amit before the enduRUNS was over. KTR started anchoring the innings with amazing resilience and resoluteness. AbhiT’s wicket brought another collapse which saw the legendary Gannu aka Ganesh Leuven, Santhosh and Pavan lose wickets in quick success(or failure)ion…..JD joined KTR and played a little cameo before bringing back Sarath for a well composed 12 Stars innings, which ended in 250 Runs (off 35 overs). Sarath was unbeaten at 67.
Typical English Teas (or Sandwiches) were served before RBCC opened with Taha and Afzal who looked like they meant Business. JD and debutant Santhosh started the proceedings with Santhosh finding it a bit difficult to control the swing in the windy conditions at RBCC, thereby giving keeping drills to Jahanur. JD drew first blood by bowling a perfect outswinging yorker to Taha which brought “Young” Danish (not to be confused with Danish Senior, who would play a great part later in the game). Pavan tried his luck with no gains and Shreyans was introduced at the other end to disrupt the otherwise comfortable batsmen who were running away with the game. AbhiT bowled some amazing leg spinners that puzzled the batsmen but yet without any success.
When RBCC crossed 100 for the loss of 1 wicket, threatening to run away with the game, Shreyans loopy offie tempted Afzal to slog one to long-on towards Sarath, who initially seemed to have misjudged, only to pull a spectacular catch at the end. This brought Danish Senior to the crease. JD brought himself back and got the younger Danish to nick
one to the Keeper. While everyone heard the nick, the man of the moment Manoj said he didn’t hear anything. I suspect his beard covered his ears imp”hear”ing him. JD “appleaded” and finally, feeling sorry for the bowler, the batsman walked (Frankly he had no choice 😜).
With the change in batting, the skipper made a bowling change Nagesh, who bombarded Arun with 4 wides to start with, a tactic which would pay off in the next over when Arun gaped while waiting for the wide delivery, only to be bowled straight on. A very jubilant Nagesh was so happy to be taken off the attack, content that his job was over with that breakthrough. Jawad (also known for this slowest innings in 2014 when he and his team scored 66 in 45 overs) entered the field and he along with Danish gave the much-needed hope for……… 12 Stars. Every close miss was applauded by Gannu, who requested all the bowlers not to take the wicket of Danish lest 12 Stars should lose 😜. Sarath with his leggies made sure that he consistently beat the batsmen to keep the chase in check. With 55 needed in 5 overs, the starters Santhosh, Pawan, JD, Shreyans and AbhiT came back and ensured the win for 12 Stars by 28 runs.
Sarath was the Man of the Match (unfortunate that he had to know this through this Report 😜) for his lovely 50 and for his catchy catch. The day ended with hugs, handshakes, pics and beers, beers and lots of beers.
– JD
