COLUMBUS CRICKET CLUB
The Midwest game # 2 of the 2005 season, against West Virginia University began on a cloudy day where there was a 50% forecast of scattered thunderstorms and most minds were wondering if the game could be completed. WVU captain won the toss and decided to bat first. This decision was thought very strange considering that the team was playing at Hanna Park for the first time and the pitch and ground conditions were absolutely foreign to all players.
The in-form CCC medium pacers did exactly what they have been doing so far in this season - bowled accurately to the WVU batsmen, swung the ball in the air, varied the line and length and kept teasing the batsmen. The rewards were obvious and the consequence was a disastrous batting collapse of the WVU batting line up.
Sohail Choudary, the WVU captain was the first wicket to fall as he departed on
a duck caught in the second slip off a beautiful out-swinger by Sekhar. Abhi taking a sharp catch in 2nd slip - his second in as many Midwest games this year.
With their leader fallen, it seemed like the others just didn’t want to stick around the wicket and all the subsequent batsmen either fell to some odd-looking shots or excellent deliveries by Sekhar, Vineel, Amit and Sai.
The only WVU batsman who showed some grit was their #3 batsman Arvind who stood at the crease for 63 balls to be their only batsman to get to double figures as he scored 23. He was their last batsman to get out – Abhi winning a plumb LBW decision as Arvind got caught in front trying to sweep.
CCC chase didn’t take long as we managed to score the required runs in just 9.4 overs with the loss of one wicket. Venky displayed a good mix of aggression and defense as he scored 31* to wrap the game with a big win. Hari was unbeaten on 12.
Fortunately, the game ended in our favor despite the fear of rain and even as other matches on Rhodes Park and OSU were washed out on the same day.
1) The WVU tail put on stubborn resistance and we took way too many overs to dismiss them. But, also keep in mind the wickets we play on are all FLAT. So, it’s very tough to get wickets when batsmen are not trying to score any runs. The pitch does not offer any turn nor are there an 'rough' spots to take advantage of. On top of that we bowl from only one end - so no variation of wind, batting end, boundaries occur between overs, Its easy for batsmen to dig a trench and camp :-)
So, though its tempting to say, "We should've got them 25 all out in 15 overs", I don’t think its realistic. I am not sure if the captain missed a trick in bowling changes, but overall, may be we should've got them all out within 20 overs.
- So we need bowlers to become a little more penetrative when needed.
Not a big deal - treat this as a minor improvement - low priority stretch goal.
2) Venky did very well - he played with confidence, lofting the ball when the field is in. Hari gave him decent company. Both batsmen lost focus in the middle and were in the danger of getting out.
An improvement there could be to bat more like professionals - finish the chase methodically.
Again, not a big deal. Only a minor improvement - lower priority compared actually getting some runs to your name (regardless of how you get them).
By Game Reporters
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Abhijeet Deshpande
Ravi Mangipudi
Bharat Jataprolu
reporters@columbuscricket.org