At last a perfect day for cricket - Stand in Skipper Peter Hollman won the
toss & in honour of Mohammed Kaif chose to field first in this 40 over match.
AG 101-10 (30.2 overs) Davies 26. T Marshall 7.2-0-23-5.
P 102-3 (26
overs). J Davies 44*. Gardiner 7-1-9-1
Initial signs of a breakthrough did not occur despite very steady
opening spells from the new ball attack of Marcel Boonaert & Daryl Roberts,
but the Captain had fears that the opening pair of Bromley & Walsh would
see them off thereby laying the burden of taking wickets on the change
bowlers. But Boonaert was in top form & clever control of swing both ways
paid dividends when Bromley was bowled all ends up for 18. Roberts soon got
in on the act & picked up 2 wickets himself with excellent bounce & away
swing.
At 34-3 Shayne Rees taking over from his fellow South African Boonaert,
introduced less movement but more bounce & with the field in attacking
positions, the need for runs were overtaken by survival. Rees unluckily
failed to take a wicket but was a model of economy with just 16 runs from
his 6 over spell. Spin was now introduced & aussie Tim Marshall 's leg spin
suited the worn pitch perfectly, regularly beating the bat & inducing false
shots only to see his poorer deliveries get hit straight at well positioned
fielders - fellow Aussie, Peter Czabotar, excelling in particular with some
fine stops & 2 catches. Ian Lay also chipped in with a wicket having made
the transition to spinner from 1st change seamer & bowled what looked like
the ball of the day to Davies.
The regular fall of wickets despite Davies' 26 at no 7 & absence of Graces
being allowed to build partnerships left Pacific clearly in the driving seat
when the last man was caught by Rees at deep backward square to give
Marshall a well deserved fivefor which looks nice indeed alongside his 46
runs last week.
Despite both Matt Holiday & Craig Jones scoring ducks there were no other
real alarms. Lucius Faisal was given controversially not out when on 4 when
he charged the bowler Bromley & a noise was heard. He went on to score 23
before being bowled by the steady Gardiner. But Jim Davies played as assured
as ever & was only denied a deserved 50 when the 6th bowler Dudley lost his
line & bowled 5 wides. Peter Czabotar (20*) was also a happy man having
notched his personal best as Pacific romped home with 14 overs to spare.
"I was very pleased to Captain the side today & am really proud of the
excellent team spirit that is prevalent. Tim (Marshall) has fitted in
superbly & it was great to see him get 5 for us so soon. The team were a
pleasure to Captain & it couldn't have gone more smoothly"
P: L Faisal, M Holiday+, J Davies, C Jones, P Czabotar, P Hollman*, M
Boonaert, S Rees, T Marshall, D Roberts, I lay.
