Scorecard

Ealing Three Bridges v Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix on Sun 14 Sep 2008 at 12.30pm
Phoenix Cricket Club Lost 2 wickets

Match report In the third year of the Gallic Wars By Julius Caesar, there was among the Carnutes a man named Tasgetius, born of very high rank, whose ancestors had held the sovereignty in his state. To him Caesar had restored the position of his ancestors, in consideration of his prowess and attachment toward him, because in all his wars he had availed himself of his valuable services. In Jason's third year in reign nothing of the sort is envisaged but could Jason's Argonauts do their captain proud and show their carne ancestors, who may be watching, their true colours in terms of spirit and battling to the very end as they face defeat.

The global economic downturn problems started in the US housing market began with sub-prime mortgages (mortgages offered to people who have had financial problems in the past or who have low or unpredictable incomes). With the Lehman Brothers Investment Bank declaring bankruptcy, the US Federal Reserve has announced a rescue package for AIG, the US's biggest insurance company, to save it from bankruptcy. Authorities are hoping the bail-out will avert the threat of a global financial meltdown.

In a time global economic downturn, Phoenix can feel the cricket crunch and hope that a meltdown is not on the cards with the heavy defeat at Egham. So will the cricket crisis continue? Will inflated expectations rise further? Lastly, will there be a disorderly process of cricketing rebalancing? If we answer all three questions with Yes, we should prepare for a cricketing depression. If the answer is No, the Phoenix economy will continue to have a good year.

Fabian once again at the helm of the Argos took the Red Caps across troubled waters to the land of the three bridges in Ealing. A place known for West Indian humour mixed with Sri Lanakan food. Another damp outfield and a warm day welcomed both teams and on winning the toss, Fabian decided to bat first.

Phoenix came out to bat with a purpose but that was soon gone as bad shot selection as well as an indifferent pitch caused wickets to fall. Phoenix at ten overs were thirty six for six. Zain came out to bat with everyone losing their heads produced a sublime display of grit, defence and attitude in his batting. He grafted hard as he worked the singles and was eventually out for a well made thirty five in the thirty third over with Phoenix final score being a paltry one hundred and eleven.

At tea, with Chicken Curry, Lamb & Fish rolls and Rice being served a plenty and with seconds on offer, Fabian had his own food for thought as he wondered on how to produce a Phoenix special dish to serve Ealing Three Bridges (E3B).

In 480 BC, Leonidas, the Grecian king who, radiates ultimate pure power and charisma, leads three hundred of his best fellow Spartans into an ancient epic battle against the overwhelming force of Persian invaders. And their only hope is to neutralize the numerical advantage by confronting the Persians, led by King Xerxes, at the narrow strait of Thermopylae.

Phoenix were also facing insurmountable odds, as their valour and sacrifice was put to the test as honour and respect was the only thing to fight for.

Fabian with a trick up his sleeve opened the bowling with Nad and the tricked worked as he got the E3B opener caught behind by Imran off just the third ball of the first over. Fabian confronted E3B with overwhelming aggression and soon had them struggling as Ali struck soon after reducing them to seventeen for two. Sanj came on to bowl and added on the pressure as three wickets fell in his first three overs with one being a great run out by Nad at short cover.

Overs were never going to be a problem with a low score so Phoenix needed to bowl Ealing Three Bridges out in order to neutralize the numerical advantage and the difference would be Ryan. Ryan was hitting at will as he quickly went to forty four which included five sixes and at the fall of his wicket to Farhan, E3B were sixty two for five. It was anyone's game.

John calmed the E3B nerves as he defended with full concentration and once he had his eye in took charge of the game. Two very close LBW appeals by Sanj & Nad were turned down and if Hawkeye was available it would prove that Phoenix had two very good shouts.

E3B then lost three wickets in three over as they slumped to eighty seven for eight. Phoenix eventually succumbed to defeat, as John guided E3B home with a crucial thirty five, but Phoenix came of the field with heads held high as they gave Ealing Three Bridges a battle they will never forget.

Zain battled hard for his runs & took Phoenix towards a challenging score and for this reason he is named Man of the Match. Also a special mention to Rahul for passing two hundred runs for the season thus far.

Well done to Ealing Three Bridges for a fun & tense game played in environment of fun sledging and above all the splendid teas.

As for Phoenix, Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss. To quote Ben Stein (American Actor, Lawyer and Writer, b.1944) “It is inevitable that some defeat will enter even the most victorious life. The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated...it is finished when it surrenders.”

Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
111		        
Fabian Saverimuttu Lbw  17
Tushar Ilwahdi Caught  0
Rahul Ghai Caught  7
Nadeem 'Nad' Rashid Caught  0 1 1
Imran Khursheed Caught  2 1
Zain Hussain Caught  35
Kashif Ihsan Bowled  13
Yazdan 'Jazz' Karbhari Run out  3
Shazad 'Ali' Iqbal Bowled  0 1
Farhan 'Rowdy' Nabeel Bowled  6
Sanjeev Kumar Not Out  0

Ealing Three Bridges Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Ealing Three Bridges Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
113 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Nadeem 'Nad' Rashid8.0246146.005.75
Shazad 'Ali' Iqbal6.0218118.003.00
Sanjeev Kumar5.011929.503.80
Farhan 'Rowdy' Nabeel2.0011111.005.50
Zain Hussain3.0013113.004.33
Fabian Saverimuttu1.40919.005.40