Looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat the previous week in the October Cup, Pacific returned to their humble abode: Wray Crescent to play Strongroom. The toss was won by our inspired leader, Tim Garrett, who decided after looking at the newly-laid astro pitch to bowl first.
Strongroom players arrived in installments so batting first was a blessing until Shahid Khan, roaring in at blistering pace, and Ali made life uncomfortable for the openers with one of them deciding to run themselves out instead of facing the heat. More wickets fell with Shahid taking 2 in 2 to reduce Strongroom to 9-4 at one stage. The hat trick ball was denied by Syed who was the only batter providing resistance as he was counter-attacking and hitting the ball beyond the boundaries of Wray Crescent. Shahid finally ended the cameo from Syed. After counting up the Strongroom players and realising they had only 8 batters, we were well and truly into the tail. Ahmed mopped up the Number 8 batter with Strongroom declining the opportunity to send out a 12 year old kid to bat, which was only fair with Manav on the sideline after a heroic run out attempt backfired and resulted in him being carried off with a back spasm – things you hate to see!
In response, and after a brief shower briefly delaying proceedings, chasing 74, Mutz and Toby walked out to bat as Strongroom’s 10th and final player turned up … missing his team’s batting innings. Tim’s one-ball cameo in the field was short-lived as he returned to watch the openers (Mutz, in particular) hit the ball to all parts of the boundary. Runs were scored square and behind square on the offside before a short ball was mistimed to midwicket’s hands ending an enterprising innings of 17. Daniel came in at Number 3 (much to Tim’s chagrin) and got off the mark with a top-edged pull for six which was completely intentional. After seeing off the opening bowlers, both batsmen found a rhythm as the target was within reach. At this point, led by the Siddiquis, sledges were aimed … but not at the opposition, at the two at the crease. Urged to hit a maximum with six to win, Toby unduly blocked and left his way towards the total. A bye was scampered and Daniel, heeded the calls to hit a six, duly obliging with a slog-sweep deposited into the trees resulting in a nine-wicket win and an early session at the pub. Things you love to see!!
Man of the match goes to Shahid for an exhilarating spell of pace bowling that demolished the already-depleted batting lineup of Strongroom’s.
https://www.tiktok.com/@mysidecricket/video/7154740469442940165?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&lang=en
^ For the winning runs and prior sledging.
