Sunday, May 23, 2010

Match 3 : Vs Victors : Won by 18 Runs

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Bombay Boys maintained their impressive momentum with their third win in the MTBT, as Victors were outmuscled by an 18 run defeat that was more emphatic than the final margin suggested. After winning the toss for the third consecutive time and electing to bat, the skipper put forth the team’s target as 125. However, once the team started their batting innings and the way the initial few wickets stumbled, achieving this target seemed bleak.

Arvind was the first to go in the 7th over, but his 38 run strong partnership with KT, of which Arvind had contributed a resounding six, was a good start for the batting innings of BB. Saurabh walked in at his 1-down position, made some quick singles and had barely faced 2 overs, when his wicket was taken by Pranit. The score at halftime was 54/2. KT till now had managed to stand strong and had continued to contribute mostly with quick singles and doubles, however he fell prey to Pranit as well in the 12th over. Monty had been 2-down after Saurabh returned to the pavilion but was caught-and-bowled by Pranit shortly after he had made an entry. Monty’s wicket was being discussed within the team, as a questionable decision by the umpire, Monty stating vehemently that the ball bounced off the ground before being caught. Umpire’s decision being final, Monty returned, having added a meagre 6 runs to the score, which now read 62/4 at the end of 12 overs. Next in the batting line-up, almost in step, were Paras and Vikram, who exhibited some quick running between the wickets. However, Vikram was quickly dismissed through a catch. With Vikram’s dismissal, Srikhant entered, but encountered a similar caught-and-bowled by Pranit yet again, having added a couple of the runs to the BB kitty. Paras also met the same fate as Monty, only worse. Touted as a catch by the wicketkeeper with the big gloves, this time the umpire’s decision was criticized by the entire BB team, having come close on the heels of the earlier questionable decision. Arun’s entry upped the BB score somewhat, with his well placed shots, including one sixer and one four, eliciting cheers from BB and loud shouts from the angry not-so-young man, the Victors skipper Prabhu. Chakra and Venu put in their team contributions, supporting Arun and letting him stay at the striker end. The last ball of the innings, was hit by Arun for a beautiful sixer, making the score a 3 digit number. The target for the Victors now stood at 102.

As per BB batsmen opinions, Pranit was considered to be a strictly-OK bowler. Unfortunately for Bombay Boys, however, Pranit took 5 wickets and 3 catches in this one match, probably making the inning his cricket career’s best.

The just average score, coupled with frustration at the “neutral” umpire created an unparalleled aggression among the BB team which surfaced in the bowling innings. From the very first over onwards, BB bowled and fielded with a vengeance. Every possible and not-probable catch was heavily appealed for, fielding was tight and upbeat, sledging was rampant, both on and off the field.

Nitin and Chakra started out as the opening bowlers and ensured a low batting output, controlling extras. KT took over for the 5th over, but unfortunately, ended up getting hit for a 4, a 2 and multiple singles, giving Victors 10 runs for the over. Chakra retired hurt during this over, hurting his prior ligament injury, in an attempt to field a ball at the point position. Jitesh, this time ready with shoes and all, sub’ed for Chakra. Arun bowled next, showing complete control, followed by Monty, with a mix of some really good balls and some sad extras, and Arvind who also finished his 4 overs with good statistics.

If BB continued their aggressive play, then they had an excellent shot at victory. The Victor’s keeper Prabhu stood strong, till the 14th over, slowly and steadily adding runs, through support of his other batsmen. The revival post 10-overs was thrilling enough, but the fielding performance, especially the wicket-keeping was exactly as required. A couple of the other Victors batsmen like Shiva, Ram and Akshay did play their part as they determinedly kept going with singles. The rest of the Victors team, mostly Tamilian, attempted to incite the cheering team with their choicest epithets. However, a good team play by the boys swiped the grin off their faces, as they also eventually gave up on their players and joined the BB squad in cheering the BB players !!!!!!!!!!! Victors finished at 84 at the end of 20 overs.

From the sidelines, Chichi (Ajay P) was in his best spirits, dealing out Rajinikanth slogans and punchlines in Tamil, also singing a dance number only to have the Victor’s wicketkeeper join in and dance at the non-striker end. Chichi was also joined by Bhavin who unbashedly yelled out adult one-liners, regardless of the audience.

In the past, there have been matches where everything has failed and the newsdesk has done some thorough, maybe immature, bashing. This however, is not one of those days. Even though the match was “interesting”, I strongly feel that the team played to the best of its abilities. It just wasn’t that great a day. Well, at the end of day, BB won its 3rd match and now moves on to the 4th league match against Indian Colts on 6/6 (No match during the long weekend). We have started encountering tougher teams and will continue to.

Chakra : We wish you a speedy recovery.
Arun : Great job so far, best of luck with your half-marathon, we’ll miss you !
A request to the senior players : If you have any excerpts from the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 seasons, please do forward them for compilation.

Scores : www.cricketmn.com
For further details on Bombay Boys, http://bombay-boys.blogspot.com

Thanks,
Bombay Boys Newsdesk.
One Team, One Dream.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Match 2 : Vs Cricstars : Won by 31 Runs

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As a member of the opponent team Cricstars remarked “The best seats in the house seem to be taken !”, rightly so, the cheering squad and the reserved player section had already marked their territory with summer chairs, food (read : energy supplements) and the likes, all set in anticipation to be a part of the Bombay Boys second match Vs Cricstars.

Arvind and Ketan opened as usual, after BB won the toss and elected to bat. Witnessed some good hard hitting shots from both Arvind and Ketan and the partnership was just starting to look good when Arvind got bowled out in the 4th over by Sirag, one of the apparently good bowlers from Cricstars. Arvind’s score stands at 18 runs scored off 15 balls, which also included 3 well placed fours and good running singles, leading us to believe that if his current form continues, we can hope to see two additional supporters pretty soon. Ketan for his part scored 29 runs off 38 balls, playing some well timed shots, including 2 fours and one strong sixer ! The team looked strong at 51 runs in 8 overs when the BB captain’s wicket was taken by the Cricstar’s captain Deepak. Saurabh stepped in at the 1-down position and it was interesting to watch him bat. Inside sources had mentioned and I quote “Wo mast technical khelta hain" (read : technique) and Saurabh for his part delivered good on his expectations. At halftime, the BB score read 63/2. Comfortable deal so far.

The second half of the innings saw some good batting skills from players like Monty, Paras, Vikram, Arun and Chakra and sixers rained as well. Monty and Paras had 2 each to their credit and Arun had one outstanding (literally !) sixer on the offside, having come determinedly off his bat and timed perfectly. Tactful utilization of loose balls and due contributions from most of the batting segment put Bombay Boys at a final score of 129 at the end of 20 overs with a loss of 6 wickets.

Cricstars had lost one match and won one in this season so far with decent doable scores both matches, so it was an open match so far with this one went. The bowling innings of BB got off to a casual start as Ketan got pounded in the first over itself, including a sixer on a no ball. Nitin for his part tried to stabilize the opening overs delivering perfect line and length. The 3rd over, again bowled by Ketan, was very much controlled and added only two runs to the Cricstar’s scoreboard. Unfortunately, as Monty’s overs followed, the saga of full toss balls and wides continued. Every full toss and no ball was aptly converted to an advantage by the opponenents and the downpour of fours and sixes seemed to loom threateningly.
If there was any consolation, it was the fact that, despite the definitely-needs-work bowling, the wicket taking streak did wonders for BB. Perfect take-your-time catches by Arun, Saurabh, Monty and “bowled” wickets taken by Arun, Monty, Chakra and KT more than made up for the fulltoss fiasco. So, on one side though the wicket taking showed complete team contribution, on the other side so did the worrisome bowling and dropped catches. Paras, Monty and Chakra all dropped catches. The BB team did ensure that Cricstars was bundled out for a measly 98 at the end of 18.2 overs.

Post match : So far, we are good as far as batting goes. Team effort through and through. Bowling sadly is another story. Looking at this match in perspective, the dropped catches and loose bowling did not affect this match’s result but with the right opponent could turn the match around. BB won the match sure, but we need to use this match to learn from our mistakes.

Note : There also needs to be ready, a 12th player complete with shoes (chuckle !) in case of any emergencies pulling off a playing member. A special “Thank you” to Dishant whose extension promises to provide tremendous support to BB as he tried to keep the team going with his remarks ! Thank you also to the cheering squad and the rotating reserve section, who’ll always be there.

From the Bombay Boys Newsdesk,
One Team, One Dream.


Saturday, May 8, 2010

Match 1 : Vs Desi Devils : Won by 38 Runs


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Bombay Boys Vs Desi Devils
MTBT Season 7 : 2010 : Match 1
Saturday May 08, 2010. 9:00 AM CST. University Ground.

Chilly winds blasting at speeds of 15 mph. Cold weather temping 46F. Predictions of rain and sleet. No respite in sight. Bombay Boys couldn’t have had a worse forecast as a start to the season.

Rocking jerseys. Team unity personified. 11 players inside. 9 outside. Adrenaline pumping. Bombay Boys couldn’t have asked for a more enthusiastic team either !

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bombay Boys got off to a decent start with openers Arvind and KT making quick singles. However, BB experienced a very early FOW when Arvind’s shot went for a neat catch in the second over itself. Jitesh, unfortunately was in and out pretty quickly, followed by the skipper, who tho’ off to a good batting start making 11 runs off 13 balls, was the next to go in the 5th over. The score at the end of 5 overs read 25/3. Monty and Paras stepped in almost consecutively to build an impressive 86 run partnership which included 3 resounding sixes by Paras and 1 power-packed one by Monty. The duo kept up a good pace through the overs right till the 18th over with the fall of Monty’s wicket. Saurabh and Paras finally wrapped up the last 2 overs; with Saurabh getting run out on the very last ball. At the end of 20 overs , having lost 6 wickets, Bombay Boys had set a pretty decent target of 126 runs.

The second innings of the match commenced with KT and Nitin bowling the first 4 overs. 3 commendable sixes by the Desi Devil’s opener Naresh, 2 of them on 2 consecutive balls hit to Nitin and 1 to KT, coupled with Naresh’s crazy-looking head jerks raised questions, concerns, eyebrows and laughs everywhere. When KT and Jitesh both angled themselves to take a catch, off Naresh’s shot – a very important one, the cheering squad members held their breath. Finally KT took the catch, possibly the most important one of the Desi Devils team, not that we ever doubted Jitesh. Good calling and coordination gentlemen !

Sudhir and Sarath of the Desi Devils tried to keep the match going, pitching in from their end. A few runs here, a few there. At halftime, Desi Devils almost stood neck-to-neck with Bombay Boys at 61 runs off 10 overs with an advantage of a wicket. But all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again ! The team kept losing batsmen as BB exhibited a superior bowling performance during the second half of the match. Excellent bowling statistics by Arun, Chakra and KT, decent bowling overs by Nitin, Monty and Arvind coupled with efficient fielding displays by Jitesh and KT (having taken 4 catches himself) ensured that the opponents were bundled out for a meagre 87 with 1 ball to spare !

Congratulations on the first win of the season boys ! The team now advances to their next match with Cricstars on 05/16 at Cedar Lake.







Cheers,
Bombay Boys Newsdesk.