Go SE11 Go ...
Open 2009 Match 1 against MCC.
What a way to start the tournament. Comfortable win over MCC with whom we had lost badly in last season,
so you can say it was due to give them back what they gave to us.
Pre - Match
We have Shekhar back in action with Maddan making his debut to SE11 for this Match.
While with Manoj, Vignesh and Rahul rotated clearly shows how our team is building up with lot of bench strength
rightly said by Rahul in one of his reply in group.
But it was of no surprise many guys reached on the ground after reporting time ;)
Still they were in relaxing mood. But everyone came together and had some warm up, knocks and eye on the bowl.
Toss
It is always good toss to loose for us. Anyways Amol would have preferred to field and we got the same.
1st innings.
MCC started their innings confidently with Rock solid military man Suresh and our old friend Subarish.
While from our side it was Maki and Mr. Mgr started the bowling attack.
We got lucky at 12th bowl after couple of close calls in my over, Nice and easy catch by Maki at silly mid off.
After that their batting was really tested by good change of pace by Maki,Parimal, Ketan
while yorkers and off stump line by Sridhar, KK and Mr. Mgr in first half of the innings.
Great keeping supported by Parthan behind the stumps who took magnificent catches.
It was Ketan bhai catch in first slip just reminded of Mark Waugh. Not to forget about debut Maddy who took
confident safe hand catch just on boundary line near deep sqr leg.
Typical leg break by Ketan bhai to take dangerous Harshal back to pavilion.
MCC were 32/4 at end of 10 overs.
As usual after the break we started bit lazy.It was just matter of time to get things moving again.
Fielding was on top of the form, it was Parimal who took run out to break lefty righty combination and make our life easy.
Finally the gates were open once Suresh was clean bowled. Soon MCC innings was packed up by KK and Parimal.
MCC 62/10 at end of 18.3 overs.
SE11 Batting.
Shekhar back in action look solid and opened the innings with Dharmesh. SE11 was under control right from the beginning
untill in 4th over Sushant took the first wicket of Dharmesh by bowling outside the off stump.
You can say it was poorer short selection or weakness of Dharmesh.
Then entered debut player Madan great captaincy by Amol to sent him top the order.
Slowly and steadily score board was ticking up. Shekhar just entering to double figure was run out by his own calling error.
But not to mention he was running for 3rd run, who says he has a knee injury.
Madan along with his childhood frined Parthan got SE11 on driving seat.
SE11 30/2 in 10 overs
MCC bought the opening bowler back into the action. Rishi who looked dangerous took wicket of Madan in his final over
Amol joined Parthan for remaining run chase. Parthan struggled a lot to get his eyes in so was Amol.
Once their eyes were set they decided to change the gears and raise the tempo. Glorious extra cover drive from Amol
showed how good is he in off side. Parthan while on other hand decided to play over mid wicket and keep the MCC captain
guessing where he can restrict these two. But cricket is unpredictable game and anything can happen till the last ball is bowled out.
Two quick wickets of Amol who played overconfident or rather crazy shot to hit Subraish out of park and KK gave a stopping signal to SE11.
Parthan the man of the day did not bother much about it and completed the match along with Rohan on other end in style with mid wicket boundary.
SE11 63/5 in 15.3 overs
MOM - Parthan desrved this with his brilliant keeping behind the stumps and 24* run during the chase.
Finally he has something to cheer upon and pull leg of Rahul and Sridhar.
Thanks to Vinayak and Rahul for their off field support.
Positive from the game:
Good fielding and catching, Good bowling keeping it outside the off stump
- in fact have received compliment mail from MCC and umpiring team regarding our bowling power.
Forgot to mention we have 1st extra in 12th over.
Area of improvisation.
Warm and be on time before the match.
