At 29 for 2, Anil came in, deservedly promoted in the order. He responded well to the challenge, and things looked very promising while he and Nikhil were together, with the latter finally translating his promise into achievement on the field. It all turned sour in the 20th over though, PJ came into the attack, and had Nikhil taken in his very first over. 56 for 3, and things looking a little shaky. New face Somil, touted as a batsman of some ability came in at number 5. He lasted one ball before aiming an almighty swipe at Goldstein and seeing his stumps shattered as a result.
Rohan promoted himself to number 6, and things started to pick up again as Anil and he built a promising partnership. They had added 34 when Goldstein bowled his first poor delivery of the day at Anil, a full toss just outside off stump. Somehow, the hapless Anil managed to hit it straight to Marins new South African import at mid off, and it was 93 for 5. As if that wasn't enough, in the next over, Rohan aimed a pull at a leg spinner from Pittman pitching well outside leg stump. LBW was the verdict, and 93 for 6 the result. "It was spinning" was the explanation received later.
Sukumar came and went, and it was 98 for 7, with Sandesh and the new look Krishna at the crease, Zeb having been too busy to go into bat. The response was superb. Some quality batsmanship from Sandesh, resolute defence from Krishna, and lusty hitting at the end by Zeb, combined to guide us to a total of 131 for 9, a little less than hoped for, but far more than could have been anticipated at one stage.
Or so we thought. It really fell to pieces thereafter. Rohan and Zeb bowled tightly, but neither really looked like taking a wicket, with the exception of one well taken effort by Anil off a Rohan no-ball. The change bowlers, Nikhil, Bruce, Krishna and Somil, all failed to quite hit the spot, and our lack of depth in bowling was exposed, and exposed brutally.
Full credit to Ilias Nana and Mihaly Szigeti, the Marin batsmen, who played very intelligently, and deservedly guided their team to a win.
In short, we were outbatted, outbowled, and outfielded. No real howlers on the field, perhaps, but the ground fielding in general left much to be desired. We simply cannot afford to falter at such a fundamental level.
Quack Quack - Somil, Sukumar.
Worst Shot (or lack thereof) - Bruce.
Silly Run Out - Krishna and Sandesh.
Butterfingers - Atul.
Runs per Over - Bruce, Nikhil.
Dommy of the Match - Bruce, for leaving the ball and getting clean bowled.
Medicare Professional Award - Zeb.
Lateness - Bruce, $3 for the third offense.