JCL1 Sharks vs Paddy Foley’s, Sano 3
24 May, 2014 – By Dhugal Bedingfield
A bright and sunny morning greeted the Sharks 1st XI as they arrived at Sano to face Paddy Foleys in a critical JCL encounter. The Sharks were a mix of bright-eyed youth and grizzled experience as they took on a languid assortment of Paddy’s under the Sano sun.
Dave Lollback deputized as captain for the injured Sancheti and his knowledge of stretches and ability to count to ten whilst violating the sacred Sano turf immediately impressed the younger brigade, which included 16 year old young guns of the future Rui Matsumura and Kentaro “Southy” Minami amongst its contingent.
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Batting
Lollback won the toss and had no hesitation in having a bat, strapping on the pads with Karthik. The two began cautiously, aided by some wayward bowling from the Paddy’s quicks. Umpire Fukumoto would later in the day complain of repetitive strain injury after extending his arms for the umpteenth time.
After a few unconvincing pokes Karthik decided to kick start things, shifting from first gear to fifth, which took a few by surprise. Two clean pick-ups cleared the ropes but unfortunately a third found a strategically placed fielder on the mid-wicket boundary.
Still, the Sharks had some momentum and Bedingfield, looking worse-for-wear after a big night out in the party capital of Sano, joined Lollback at the crease. The pair built on the platform and the score ticked along steadily. Bedingfield managed to survive a bizarre incident when the ball almost trickled back onto his stumps before he managed to flick it away into the keeper’s gloves. Appeals of caught, obstructing the field, handled the ball, hit the ball twice and “it’s just out” were all turned down by an unflinching Fukumoto and Bedingfield was allowed to continue.
The incident woke up the Sharks pair, who proceeded to inflict a fair bit of damage on the Paddy’s part timers in the proceeding overs. Lollback registered his intent with a glorious straight six off Rodrigo. After a few lusty, blows Bedingfield was caught on the ropes off the bowling of Paddy’s skipper Suleman for 97.
*Notes from Dave: ‘Mr. Modesty’ Dhugal here is brushing over his own commanding innings, which took us from an okay start to right on top of things. After the weird double-hit incident (which no one really knew the rule for at the time but we confirmed after the game is not out), he really teed off, and in one particular over belted four boundaries on the trot with trademark Bedingfield pull shots. The only thing off about his innings was the faint aroma of the previous night’s libations leeching through his Sharks shirt. The innings ended in the only way that seemed probable, caught on the rope at mid wicket trying to banish a knee high full toss back over to Sano 2 – the sort of shot that you’re gonna play even if you know you’re on 97 at the time. A shame to miss the ton, but great watching.
Lollback continued his assault with the eager Prashant Kale, who wasted no time in launching into the bowling. As with most Sharks on the day, in the pursuit of runs, eyes lit up and wickets were thrown away, Lollback for an inspired captain’s knock of 81, Prashant for a quick-fire 14.
The magical number of 300 started getting bandied about under the Sharks tent and it was suggested that many Sharks probably couldn’t count that high as they’d never had reason to. Nevertheless the middle order were intent on making it happen. Takada played a magnificent cover drive for four first ball before falling to the lively pace of Rodrigo. Sumon proved himself to be a more than useful number six, using all parts of the ground to knock up a handy 26 not out. His sumptuous reverse sweep for a single was in equal measures innovative and perplexing given there was a regulation third man in place. Murad came in at 7 and was busy between the wickets in a cameo half dozen before the finisher Aditya Tallapragada strode in at 8 to get us in reach of the triple ton.
Needing 13 runs of the last over to reach 300, Adit took to Sulemans part time off spin and dispatched the last ball of the innings over the square leg boundary for six to bring the Sharks to 302.
| Batsman | How Out | 4/6 | Balls | Runs |
| Dave L | Caught | 6/2 | 90 | 81 |
| Karthik | Caught | 0/2 | 25 | 19 |
| Dhugal | Caught | 0/4 | 63 | 97 |
| Prashant | Caught | 0/1 | 13 | 14 |
| Takady | Caught | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Sumon | NOT OUT | 2/1 | 19 | 25 |
| Murad | Bowled | – | 10 | 6 |
| Aditya | NOT OUT | 2/1 | 12 | 17 |
| Mairaj | DNB | |||
| Rui | DNB | |||
| Kentaro | DNB | |||
| B 2 LB 4 | WD 27 NB 4 | 37 | ||
| 40 overs | 6 for | 304 | ||
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Bowling
Channeling Alan Border, Lollback put the handbrake on the Sharks’ celebrations – and with good reason. In true Paddy’s tradition, their batting line up may look like they’ve just walked out of a pub, but like the leprechaun who’s had his pint of Guinness ripped from his hand, they well and truly pack a punch.
Takada claimed an early wicket with a cracking delivery but Paddy’s opener Wijerathna showed a touch of class, flailing anything short to the boundary. It was again Takada who broke the partnership holding a tough catch at mid-off. Kamran Syed and Amir Syed, doubling as a comedian (day job pretty safe), then put on a stubborn run a ball partnership and Paddy’s were starting to gain the upper hand. Enter Rui Matsumura. The youngster stamped his mark on the game first by catching Kamran at cover and then by dismissing Amir and Rangana.
When Bedingfield dismissed danger man Rodrigo the Sharks could sniff victory. Despite some late order resistance the run rate required continued to rise. Lollback went right through his opposite number Suleman with a text book yorker and it was left to Takada to clean up the tail with some astute death bowling.
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|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
wd/nb |
Runs |
Wickets |
| Takady | 8 | 1 | 6 | 46 | 3 |
| Aditya | 7 | 0 | 2/1 | 63 | 1 |
| Rui | 8 | 0 | 10 | 50 | 2 |
| Dhugal | 7 | 0 | 2 | 43 | 2 |
| Karthik | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| Dave | 8 | 0 | 6 | 62 | 2 |
A 26 run victory was a little closer than the Sharks would have liked but credit must go to Paddy’s, whose attacking brand of cricket kept them in the game till the very end. The drama had clearly taken its toll on poor Captain Lollback who post-match could be seen slumped in his deckchair like a slain gun fighter.
A solid all-round performance from the Sharks, the win brings us back to 2-2 as the rainy season beckons.
