JCL2, Sharks vs Tigers at SICG
Sat 13th April – By Ishaan Fartyal
The JCL 1st round match saw the Chiba Sharks 2nd XI take on the Tigers 2nd XI, in what would eventually turn out to be a largely one-sided match (bad news sharkies) at SICG 1. In what was probably the highlight of the day for the sharks, captain C. Thurgate won the toss and elected to field first. The Sharks squad featured Asala, Ishaan, Deba, Ashley, CT and KB, and debutants Arjun and Upahar, who found out during the ride to the ground of their shared nationalities, young fast bowlers Lyon and Max, and Hasan. At 10 C and not a cloud to be seen in the sky, the conditions were perfect for a game of cricket. SICG 1, with freshly-cut grass had a quick outfield on show, which would later prove irrelevant because the Tiger’s batsmen were a bit stubborn on sending the ball over the fielders.
1st Innings – Bowling
The Sharks got off to a flying start, with debutant M. Clements taking two quick wickets of the NO.2 N Karautiya and captain B. Chugh, dismissed by a fantastic catch from the deceivingly agile A. Arachige diving low to his right in the covers, after a comical first ball that featured the wickets flying off on the non-strikers end after ‘lanky limbs‘ from the 6-foot+ fast bowler. The flying start, as often does, left the fielders complacent and after a frankly underwhelming display of fielding from the sharks left the 3rd wicket stand amass a total of 278 runs from 204 balls with batsmen AK Kumar and K Kamat, both getting their centuries, wreaking havoc on the Sharks bowling attack.
The Sharks were blessed with a number of chances in the interim but failed to capitalize on them; the partnership only broken after a clever delivery from debutant Upahar, the batsmen forced to drive straight into the hands of the fielder at cover, announcing his entry to the team. Courtesy of 81 extras and an overall sluggish fielding display from the Sharks, the innings concluded at a total of 328/4 in 40 overs, with AK Kumar and K Kamat sporting well deserved centuries, and were aided by 81 extras, which included 19 no-balls from a certain fast bowler… a very good score nonetheless. How would the Sharks fare?
2nd Innings – Batting
Chasing a target of 328 at 8.2 runs per over would no doubt put immense pressure on openers A Arachigne and I Fartyal to set up the Sharks innings. And the pressure showed, with the opening partnership broken with just 18 runs on the board after a short of a length delivery caught I Fartyal off guard, who nicked the ball straight into the keepers gloves.
Deba and Asala were going well, with a couple of handy boundaries, until a down the track 6 from Asala resulted in a muscle pull, and was caught behind the very next ball. Deba and debutant Arjun Gautam would get 53 runs on the board and had a partnership going, but were dismissed in a span of 9 balls by S Kumar, the former going straight to the fielder in midwicket after a mistimed pull shot. Nonetheless, great display of batting from the seasoned Asala, young gun Deba and debutant Arjun.
The tail was made quick work of, and the Sharks ended their innings at 139/10 at overs, losing by 238 runs. Although the Sharks had a few solid partnerships going, they weren’t enough to take the Sharks over the line, finishing 189 runs short.
All in all, surely a lot to learn for the young Sharks 2nd XI team and hopefully the team can work on their mistakes (such as keeping your foot inside a line), and thank you to the Tigers team for making the long trip to the SICG. A big thank you to the Rising Stars for lending the umpires (Don’t know their names, but nonetheless thankful) and we hope that the boys can learn from the experience and take positives from the loss.
