Apologies Sharks Fans! The monthly roundup is later than normal – though your author has a valid excuse for not completing the article on a couple of the days last week, when I was watching Japan – complete with three Sharkies – beating Kuwait and giving Nepal a good fight in the ICC Men`s T20 World Cup Asia and EAP Qualifiers, being held in Oman. Japan are through to the Super Sixes, have 4 games remaining and look like they are definitely capable of qualifying (in part because they have Kendal, Ibby and Benny in the squad) – the games are streamed live on the ICC website, so be sure to check them out.

The first half of September was devoid of scheduled games for the Sharks, and it wasn’t until the 20th when we had our first game, with the 1st XI taking on the Titans in JCL Div 1. This was the first time the 1st XI had played since June because of cancellations but the lack of practice didn`t show, with the Sharks vanquishing the Titans by 185 runs. Ben had eaten his Weetabix that morning and hit a massive 130 from 94 balls, to become the best-of-the-batters as the Sharks knocked up a total of 291. The Sharks bowler’s were also on form taking out the Titans before the end of the 28th over; Freddy taking 4 wickets and Ben adding 2 and a catch to his run hall and securing him a deserved MoM. Weekabix all round next time?

For those of you not understanding the Weetabix reference, educate yourself on a piece of British advertising history below:

• Weetabix and Robbin Hood： weetabix ad

• Weetabix and the Battle of Naseby:  UK Weetabix Advert – Battle of Naseby (1994)

• Weetabix driving instructor: Weetabix – Driving Instructor (1997, UK)

Much of the 1st XI was then in action again on the 21st as part of the Japan Cup squad taking on MIB at Sammu in the Semi Final match of EK Div 2. In another Sammu-style low scoring game MIB survived the Sharks bowler`s for the full 20 overs but only managed to eek out a total of 87, Manav being the Sharks bowler of the day taking 3 for 10 runs, a performance which also secured him MoM. The chase was then dominated by the Sharks who ended it all in 11 overs, each batsman achieving a run-rate over 130 and Ben and Takady, batting at 3 and 4 both not out.

Ben and Takady at Sammu

As the JC side were dominating in their semi final the Glorious 3rd were taking on KKR at Sano Riverside 3 in a must win match to get into the top 4 of the JCL Div 4 table. Despite arriving early and warming up, the Sharks suffered an early disaster with their top 5 batsmen being removed for only 8 runs. The remaining 6 batsmen managed to add a further 56 runs which with extras took the Sharks to a total of 97 before they were all removed in the 23rd over. With a low total to defend the Sharks bowlers did a good job, and at one point it looked like the game would turn in their favour, but KKR`s number 5 dug in a hit the required runs, KKR overturning the Sharks in the 21st over. There is one final JCL 4 match in October, where mathematically it may be possible for the 3rds to reach the top 4, but this loss has effectively ended their chances of a finals place. 

The Final for the JC EK Div 1 was on September 27th, with the Sharks taking on the Falcons at Sammu. The Falcons batted first and after a slow start began piling on the runs as the Sharks bowlers struggled to take wickets; by the end of their innings they had an impressive (for Sammu) 156 for 6. When the turn of the Sharks batters came they went at it with each batsman doing their part and all getting a good run-rate and scoring runs, however the Falcon’s score was just too high to chase down and the Sharks fell 8 runs short by the finish. A disappointment after such a dominant season, however there is a silver lining to this loss – the Sharks have qualified for a playoff spot in the Japan Cup National Finals (the Falcons secured their place with this win)….the fat lady has longer to wait.

Some of our older members look after the trophies

Smarting after the JC final loss, the 1st XI took on Max on the 28th for the final Sharks match of September. Max batted first, but today the Sharks bowlers were on form and taking wickets (apart from one painful over where an unfortunate bowler was hit for 31, but the less said about that over the better….), with Nikhil and Ben taking 3 each on the way to removing Max in the 36th over for 211 runs. Ben had again been eating his Weetabix and hit 82 from 45 in the chase, and again the Sharks batting depth was demonstrated as they passed Max in the 30th over, all 9 of the players to have batted scoring runs and definitely some still in the tank if needed. Ben’s performance again securing him MoM.

The end of September has almost fixed the table positions for the senior leagues, with the playoff and semi finals coming soon. The Shark’s league positions at the end of September were: JC1 – second position, JCL2 – eighth position, JCL 4 – eighth position, Japan Cup (East Kanto, Division 1) – first position. 

A number of Sharks will be taking part in the Embassy Cup at the end of October, representing their respective embassies. So far we know of Sharks that will be playing for Japan, Pakistan, the Anzacs and the British Embassy creating some great sub-contexts and contests within the broader competition. Nothing like a bit of Shark on Shark action to keep things exciting!