We walked into Jain International Residential School to see a beautiful cricket venue. Green outfield, grandstand, lush central wicket area, with terraces on the southern side. The wicket was unlike anything we had seen in India – covered with grass and relatively green. The sporting facilities at this school surpassed anything else we had seen in India, and matched anything in Australia.
The opponents were Shriram Group, a professional outfit of corporate T20 players. The toss was won by Pinjarra, and with the intention of soaking in the atmosphere and enjoying the majestic conditions, decided to field first. The match reduced from 50 overs due to the late start, the captains agreeing that rules would include power plays and the number of overs would be dictated by the prearranged time for lunch.
McKay bowled well, getting some nice outswing to the right-handers, and claimed early wickets. Unfortunately, at the other end, despite his best endeavours, Hennessy struggled for rhythm and was costly. The outfield, although nice and green, was lightning fast and was merciless for the bowlers - anything that pierced the infield went for 4 and ran into the large diameter rope that ran around the perimeter.
McKay had both openers bowled. Hiremath for 11 and Inikar for 7. This made it 2 for 32 in the 6th over. McKay continued to bowl steadily and then had Tadapatre plumb lbw for 16. 3 for 41 in the 9th over.
The pitch was looking like a good batting track, and Arun dispatched several balls to the boundary. But McKay struck again in the 17th over, clean bowling Arun for 43. This made it 4 for 110.
And next over it could have been 5 for when Anand fell for the trap and went for a drive through the vacant cover area to McKay’s outswing and snicked it to first slip. But unfortunately Narayana couldn’t hang onto it. The run rate was at a healthy six an over and Pinjarra needed to work hard to ensure they could restrict Shri Ram to a target that was achievable.
Riley bowled well, starting with the only maiden of the innings. Anund went on to make 46, before Riley claimed him LBW with a nice in swinger. Boundaries were contained and wickets continued to fall to keep the Pinjarra side in the match. Sandesh was bowled by Riley in the 36th to make it 6 for 189. Captain Hidayath. Continued to bat very sensibly and made 52 before he was run out by Riley after a mix up at the wicket. Very next ball, Venugopal was caught and bowled by Ford for a golden duck and the score was 8 for 211 in the 39th.
But then Venkatech got a few boundaries away and took the score along to 237 before he was bowled by Shane Turner in the 42nd (and last) over. The score finished on 243 for 9.
A solid target but not insurmountable on a good batting track and a lightning fast outfield.
At lunch the tourists enjoyed vegetarian curries with naan bread. This type of food now sitting well with most after nearly 2 weeks of acclimatising their digestive systems.
Ford and Davidson opened and batted sensibly and took the score along to 27 before Davidson was judged lbw for 9 in the 8th over. Narayana joined Ford and moved the score steadily. Ford was then given out lbw after he appeared to get some bat on it. He wasn’t happy and this was made worse by the habit of the locals not to celebrate their wicket like we do – Ford actually attempting a run after he had been given out.
Miller came to the crease but play was interrupted when a monsoonal shower flooded everything in a 5 minute downpour. But the groundsmen were quick with the covers and play was able to resume only 22 minutes later. The target reduced to 214 off 37 overs. Miller resumed and looked set for a big score, hitting several confident boundaries, but was unable to capitalise on a good start, being judged lbw for the 3rd time on the tour for 22 off 19 balls. 3 for 81 after 20 overs with the match in the balance.
Pack and Narayana pushed the score steadily, putting on 50 in the next 10 overs. The required run rate climbed however, with the Shri Ram side protecting the boundaries well.
Narayana fell for a well made 54 trying to hit out to make it 4 for 131. 83 required off only 6 overs and it was looking beyond the tourists. But Pack had other ideas. He hit a huge six over mid wicket, over the trees and into the school grounds. The ball was lost. This was followed with another 6 straight down the ground and suddenly Pinjarra were in with a sniff.
But it was not to be. A few dot balls then saw some desperate running between the wickets and Rawlings was out for 3 attempting a tight second run. McKay came in and together he and Pack did their best but the required run rate was now out of reach. Pinjarra finishing at 5 for 191 after their 37 overs, 23 runs shy of the target.
A satisfying match for both sides. Pinjarra happy to be competitive and again post their highest score for the tour, but slightly disappointed having lost a game that could have been won.
The Shriram side then presented each of the Pinjarra players with a memento trophy which was very well received. Man of the Match for Pinjarra being awarded to pack and for Shriram going to captain Hidayath. Both making well made half centuries. The touring group walked to their bus while a couple hundred students looked on, feeling very glad for the hospitality they had received and looking forward very much to returning on Wednesday for two T20 games.
Shriram 9 for 243 off 42 overs, defeating Pinjarra 5 for 191 off 37 overs (target reduced to 214).
No comments:
Post a Comment