When: 21 May

Where: Drammen

Drammen Cricket Klubb 120-3 (20.3)

Aliens Cricket Club 119-8 (30)

Drammen Cricket Klubb - Won by 7 wickets

See the scorecard at CricHQ

Aliens Team: David Kuhlwilm, Damon Crawford, Marcus Lyon, Mitchell de Beurs, Benan John, Taufiq Omar, Dennis Peter, Simon Gazdowicz, Gavin Adair, Tariq Omar and Kishore Mohan.

Aliens won the toss elected to bat first after the season opener yielded a paltry 84vruns whilst chasing a meagre 134. The grounds lush green as usual, wicket nothing much in particular but for the Duck droppings at the far end, with the omnipresent threat of a downpour for another washout. We did have a couple of alien-esque late arrivals to not much of a consequence, better lose it before it really harms us.

Simon (Gaz) was promoted to open alongside the phlegmatic Dave, with a bit of tussle as they approached the wicket on who will take strike, needless to say who won it. Simon scored a single of the first ball, the scoring shot was so well timed (arguably the best of the game )that a score of 160+ was imminent. The opening pair built a 50 run partnership with quite a bit of running between wickets and just a boundary scored by Dave, albeit they didn’t order drinks after 5 overs which is the norm in Norway. The platform set for an onslaught, Dave launching a pull to the only fielder in the deep perished for 25. Dennis the no 3 in was itching to get off the mark, but the 50 run partnership with Dave had some effects on Gaz to stay calm. The second wicket was an LBW( full to a batsmen on leg stump and hitting the outside of his left foot, schoolboy error of not offering a shot and the dreadful finger was raised) brought Damon to the crease who also quickly perished to an LBW. Gaz watching the drama (or the lack of it) unfold played a tired looking short and was caught for well- made 32(highest of the season hitherto). Gavin was unlucky to be adjudged out for a sweep shot that bumped before it ricocheted of his front leg to the keeper ( yes its hard to imagine this!). The next three wickets (Mitch, Marcus and Benan) were all runouts, some sacrificial and some suicidal, but in all this melee Taufiq Omar managed to sneak in and score 25 with two boundaries. The target set 120 to get of 30 overs, a marginal improvement from our previous outing nevertheless an improvement.

Anyways, with the batting out of the way, few enthusiasts were on the field for a warmup and a reluctant catching session in the cold windy afternoon, whilst a few felt this was already done when we arrived, do we have to do this again? But we have learnt this already, ITS NEVER ENOUGH!

Damon opened the bowling with the usual accuracy and yet the batsmen managed to play a few unorthodox shots, Tariq fresh from his 5 wicket exploits at Ekeberg 2 tested the batsmen with bouncers to good effect. The openers had steadily raised to 49 runs from 10 overs, bowling change in Dennis(2 wickets) and Mitch (1wicket) including two good catches by Gaz and Kishore brought Aliens back into the fold, with score 67/3 from 13 overs. The weather at this point was in between a drizzle and a sprinkle which didn’t help our spinners a great deal. With just 40 runs to defend after the drinks break at the 15 over mark, the opening bowlers were brought back in to get a break through and breakthrough it was for the opposition to pick singles easily with the occasional boundary. Majority of them weren’t pleasing to the eye or the ear, although very effective. We even managed to match their total extras as a surprise(15). There was a chance and it was irrelevant with just 2 runs to get, but a catch dropped for the first time this season. We lost the game, but not the spirit. You know we are all cricket aficionados and this sport unites us a team, so here is a quick observation of how the commentators describe a shot (it’s arguable and just illustrative)

“How well has he timed that” – UK

“How hard has he hit that” – Australia

“How Beautiful was that” - India

“Wasn’t that effortless” – SAF

We as a team need to do it all in our batting. As far as Bowling is concerned, in light of the recent television events lets just say we need to “ HODOR” (hold the door: extras, boundaries due to lack of effort ++) On we go to the next one in Ekeberg 2 for the love of the game and hopefully to a warm sunny winning day.