Scorecard

Cypos v Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix on Sun 03 Aug 2008 at 1.30pm
Match was Tied

Match report In the third year of Asa King of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against Nadab the son of Jeroboam; and Baasha struck him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. In Jason's third year in reign nothing of the sort is envisaged but could Jason's Argonauts not kill the spirit of the game of cricket by doing what needs to be done - the right thing to keep their and Phoenix's honour true.

On a cold, wet, cloudy and windy Summer's day Sanj led the Red Caps to the much awaited fixture versus Cypos in Chiswick. With rain in the air, the toss was all important since it will allow use of the best conditions. Unsurprisingly on losing the toss, Phoenix were asked to bat first. To note, Reet was making his debut for Phoenix.

The Cypos bowlers came out firing on all cylinders as they found the perfect length to allow the ball to swing as well making use of the light rainfall which made the pitch a little bit bouncy. Cypos made the breakthrough early as Phoenix were twenty for two in just the fifth over.

Tushar, who had opened, had Nad join him at the crease knowing they had to make the bulk of the runs as Phoenix's had out a weakened side. But never fear when Tushar is here is the new war cry as Tushar continued his sumptuous form and upped his own level. This could be down to the wise words of Jason or to the fact he dressed up as Buzz Lightyear the previous weekend. So with his spacesuit on and Jason's words in his head, he took Phoenix and himself to affinity and beyond!.

Everyone knows that Buzz Lightyear is a space ranger from the Intergalactic Alliance, is stationed in the Gamma Quadrant and is known for his bravery & courage. But no one knows that our very own Tush Lightyear is a cricket player from the Cranford Alliance, lives in the Clevedon Garden's Quadrant and is his known for his ear-ring and Nadal impersonation.

Tushar played fantastically well with the confidence of his maiden fifty last week, he hit his maiden century (which included sixteen fours). He was in fine form with displays of his trademark drive and inside out hits over cover. Nad also joined the party as he cut and chopped in his charismatic swashbuckling style making an excellent seventy three (which included eleven fours).

Tushar and Nad between them they broke the highest third wicket partnership as they scored one hundred and twenty seven runs in twenty one overs. Under the conditions that the batsman were facing, that was an incredible feat.

At tea, Phoenix made two hundred and twenty seven off their allotted forty overs with Tushar holding his bat as he walked off one hundred and fifteen not out.

Phoenix needed to bowl with control if they wanted to win this game and with dark clouds hovering the signs were ominous. Cypos got of to a flyer of a start as they dispatched the bad deliveries with ease to the boundaries as well as due to some less than convincing fielding from Phoenix as catches were dropped and balls slipping by to the fence for four.

But all was not lost as the spinners had a major role to play but as soon as Sanj & Nad took hold of the ball, Eurythmics could be heard singing softly 'Here Comes the Rain Again'.

Soon after the softly spoken song was in full barrage as the heavens opened and the rain fell with a horrid & relentless anger. It was clear to be seen that the conditions didn’t suit for bowling as the bowlers could not grip the ball, it was clear to be seen that the conditions didn’t suit for fielding as the fielders were slipping & sliding and it was clear to be seen that the conditions didn’t suit cricket as the puddles were created on the square as well as on the bowling crease.

The true spirit of the game should have been upheld and for the Cypos Umpires & Captains to call off all the players to the very bad conditions but this wasn’t to be as Cypos pursued victory rather than honour. Many would have said that Sanj should have walked off the field, but maybe due to lack of experience or to the courtesy to the opposition & the spirit of the game stayed out there.

The game was all but over as Phoenix could only bowl slow and just tossed up the ball so Cypos could make the runs as fast as possible. To the Cypos openers credit they took advantage of their luck and insistence to play and both Morris & Vicks scored unbeaten centuries guiding Cypos to an emphatic ten wicket win.

Phoenix could do nothing but sing 'Here Comes the Rain Again, Falling on my head like a memory, Falling on my head like a new emotion.

The colt, Vishal Kumar positive attitude and big smile throughout the day as he opted to play as a last minute replacement, as he helped bring out water to the players & updated the scoreboard & as he braved the conditions without complaining and for this reason he is named Man of the Match. Also a special mention to Nad for passing four hundred runs and Tushar for passing three hundred runs for the season thus far.

Well done to Cypos for winning. As for Phoenix excellent attitude as they braved the elements and supported each other in conditions more suited for Rugby. One is defeated not by the fear of what is in front of you but by your own approach.

Phoenix had the correct approach & attitude, it was a shame that it did not rub off on to the opposition. To quote Roger Von Oech (an internationally recognized leader in stimulating creativity and innovation) “Remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn't work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach.”

Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 7 wickets
0
227		        
Tushar Ilwahdi Not Out  115
Shazad 'Ali' Iqbal Caught  3
Sakthivel Muthukamatchi (Guest) Bowled  4
Nadeem 'Nad' Rashid Caught  73
Vishal Nehra Bowled  0
Reet Jhawer Bowled  0
Zafir Darr (Guest) Bowled  6
Vishal-Karna Kumar Lbw  9
Anup 'Snoop' Jhooti Not Out  0
Farhan 'Rowdy' Nabeel  
Sanjeev Kumar  

Cypos Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Cypos Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 0 wickets
0
228 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Farhan 'Rowdy' Nabeel4.003900.009.75
Anup 'Snoop' Jhooti5.002800.005.60
Vishal Nehra4.002600.006.50
Sanjeev Kumar6.002400.004.00
Nadeem 'Nad' Rashid4.002400.006.00
Shazad 'Ali' Iqbal3.002400.008.00
Zafir Darr (Guest)3.002200.007.33
Vishal-Karna Kumar3.001500.005.00