NCF T20 Gruppe B Round 1: Aliens Vs Minhaj
When: 13 July 2016
Where: Rommen
Minhaj Cricket Club 190/4 (20.0 ov)
Aliens Cricket Club 161/7 (20.0 ov)
Minhaj Cricket Club - Won by 29 runs
Minhaj vs Oslo Aliens at Rommen
With apocalyptic thunderstorms looming, threatening to wash the game out, the chatter before was if the game would be on. Well, anyone who has played cricket in Norway will know, it takes an act of God to wash out a game. True enough, the rain passed and with the outfield surprisingly dry the toss ensued. Whoever won, aliens fielded first.
Simon H and John B opened the bowling with a very tidy opening spell where two wickets fell. John B took the first wicket, a good catch in the deep by Toufiq O. Simon H got the second, when Dennis sprung through the air gazelle like to hold onto an easy catch. The sparse crowd were enthused with optimism and chants of ‘easy, easy’ rang through the empty ground.
The batsmen consolidated and scored a few leaky runs before Arif struck taking the wicket of the dangerous but Tariq. Daniel H juggling the ball, falling but holding onto the catch to end what could have been a dangerous innings. Tariq trundled. Another quick wicket followed when Toufiq O got rid of Yousuf, a second catch by Daniel H. 10 overs bowled and the Aliens were looking good.
However, that was as good as it got. ‘Nikki’ Minhaj batsmen 5 and 6 saw out the remaining 10overs with some audacious stroke play. Naseem in particular found a liking to Dennis and scored 20 runs of his over. The aliens dropped a few catches and with a small outfield that was unforgivable. Gavin dropped two, running past one (surprised by his own speed) and spilling the second. Dave dropped a sitter and someone dropped another (can’t remember who). The fielding at this stage was pretty subdued despite Mitch and Simon’s enthusiasm. From 94-4 Minhaj made 190-4.
Dennis and Dave opened the batting, putting pressure on the fielding team with some brilliant running between the wickets and hitting the bad balls for four. 65-0 of 6 overs looked like the aliens would get the 190 needed but a tired looking shot from Dennis earned him a walk back to the dugout. Up stepped the big hitting Mitch who continued the good running between the wickets with Dave K. As these two were building a beautiful partnership Dave K tried to clear the barrier only to be caught in the deep. Gavin walked to the crease only to walk back to the dugout again after a simple C&B. Mitch and Toufiq made a small partnership but Mitch fell giving a simple catch. Toufiq and Jonh B had a stand of 30 runs before Toufiq holed out also chasing an ever increasing run rate. Daniel H confidently strode out to the middle for his first bat for the Aliens, hoping to showcase his skills to his new teammates. Chasing 64 off 4 overs needed a herculean effort with Daniel H and John B doing their utmost but alas the later gave a catch in the deep. Tariq O confidently walked to the crease. A four later and he was back in the dugout. With an over to go Simon H jogged to the wicket and played a lovely straight drive to long on for four. Game over.
Aliens lost by 29 runs. The batting was positive and pressure was exerted on the opposition with some brilliant running between the wickets and some lovely four hitting. Dennis was full of praise for the team spirit and the positive batting display and I couldn’t agree more. However, we lost. The fielding needs more work and the catching in the deep is like a blind man at a strip bar: enthusiastic, hands in the right place but holding onto the wrong balls. The batting was positive and if we bat in partnerships, two people together at the crease instead of individuals we can pose a good total consistently.
There was a debut today by Peter. For someone who hasn’t played cricket for nearly 2 decades he did brilliantly in the field and I look forward to seeing him at mid-week games if possible. )
