This was where we needed the middle order to shore things up, and build a respectable platform, but unfortunately, things didn't quite work out that way. First Anil, and then in the following over Venu, departed, both clean bowled by Aadil, playing aggressive strokes far too early in their innings. 25 for 4 at this stage, and things were looking decidedly ugly. Hamzah joined Atul at the crease, but looked a little tentative, unsure whether to attack or defend. He eventually fell the same way as the operners, prodding at one outside off and the edge taken by the keeper.
We needed a captains innings from Rohan, and a big partnership between him and Atul at this point, but things almost went wrong after just another over. Rohan played half-forward to a ball from Amit, and a loud appeal saw him given out lbw, despite the ball having hit the bat. As he departed though, the United captain, Imran, in a very sporting gesture, recalled the batsman, having heard the woody sound. It was nice to see cricket played in a good spirit. Very un-Californian!
Rohan and Atul then proceeded to build a very solid partnership, both looking comfortable at the crease, and running the singles well, without attempting anything extravagant. Disaster struck though, when with the score at 56, Atul went on the back foot to a short pitched delivery, only to see the ball shoot through at ankle height and clean bowl him. That brought Murali to the crease, and he was looking positive from the start, using his feet well, looking to drive the spinners. A floater from Adnaan, a la Saqlain Mushtaq, was his undoing however, and he departed to a brilliant catch at backward point, having aimed a drive through extra cover.
Shehzaad came in, having been drafted into the side at short notice, and playing his first game for us for a couple of years. He immediately looked at home, and there was still hope of a partnership between him and Rohan being forged. Unfortunately, disaster was to strike again. Rohan received a short ball from Amit, the only poor ball the bowler bowled all day. He went on the back foot, and pulled it crisply. However, in setting off for a run, his foot slipped on the damp grass (on the mat!) and slid back into his stumps. In the meantime, the ball went for four, and neither umpire had seen what had happened. The fielders eventually appealed, and in sticking with the spirit of the game, Rohan walked.
Enter Krishna Rangarajan. A previous career-hihg of 3* to his name, and a total of 37 balls faced in the whole of last season. He outdid hmiself. Having been ruthlessly coached by Dominic, he defended, swept and drove his way to a magnificent 4 runs, made off 21 deliveries. He kept Shehzaad company, as the latter made his aggressive intentions known. A ridiculous mix-up saw Krishna run out, and that brought our debutant American, Michael Meade, to the crease. He only got to face three balls though, one of which he played through a gap int he field for a single, before Shehzaad holed out to long on, going for a big hit. 87 all out that left it at. Not a big score, but one we were capable of defending, having had the same line up 60 for 9 the previous week.
Rohan bowled three successive maidens to start off, and Venu bowled his first four overs fairly tightly, but the excitement was saved for his 5th, the tenth of the innings. Naveed, who had played some of the most agriculturally agricultural slogs known to mankind, and got away with them, took 12 off the over, before he finally miscued a full toss straight to Hamzah at mid wicket.
The lack of depth in our bowling was shown up at this point. A tired Venu had to be replaced, and the onus fell on Dom. He didn't quite hit his length in his first over, but only went for four runs, and had a catch dropped, a hard chance, by Anil at short cover. Rohan continued at the other end, and in his 7th over, suddenly re-discovered his outswinger. With the ball moving around like anything for him, the batsmen were in trouble. Soon enough, Imran tried to turn one to leg, and the ball went straight up in the air off the leading edge, Murali at short leg took the catch gleefully. Then the very next ball, Farooq got an outside edge to a late outswinger, and Shehzaad took a superb low catch in the gully. Fifty for 5, and we were in with a shout.
Venu was brought back at the other end for a final burst, but he perhaps strived a little too hard for extra pace, and consequently lost his line and length a fraction. Rohan finished his 9 overs, and with 6 runs needed, it was down to Dom again. needless to say, third ball of the over, Amit swept him over deep backward square, and that, as they say, was that.
Overall, it was a very creditable performance, given that we had a somewhat weakened XI (in theory). However, the credit ends there. Despite that, this was a game we should have won, and we all know it. Our middle order batting gave things away, but even then, we showed we could defend 87. The difference between the two sides at the end of the day was that they grabbed all their half-chances, and we spilt ours. But let's hold our heads up high, we competed well, and should be proud of that.
Worst Shot - Anil.
Runs per Over - Venu, and you're lucky we don't have a full toss and long hop fine yet.
Butterfingers - Shehzaad, Anil, Krishna
Dommy of the Match - Rohan, for being probably the first batsman in Stanford B history to get out like that.
Silly Run-out - Shehzaad and Krishna. Someday I'd like to know what happened there.
Quack-Quack - Venu, Anil.