Training Match # 4 vs Vålerenga

Aliens vs Vålerenga

See the scorecard at CricClubs

It’s been said before that T20 does not especially suit Aliens particular set of cricket skills and Tonight’s game did little to dispel those rumours.

From the moment debutant skipper Shahabaz won the toss and chose to bat, we were behind in the game and never really managed to catch up.

Vålerenga’s young batting line up came out swinging and kept going until the last. Dilsoz and Maroofkhel both launched a few bombs before being sent back by Peter and Dennis respectively, but Safi, Khan and Brekke continued the onslaught with a solid mix of boundaries and hard running. Aliens didn’t really help themselves with a few catchable chances going down and some fairly average ground fielding. After 10 overs the skipper introduced the wily veteran Lyon into the attack and it took him only an over to lure Safi into trying some sort of legside twat and trapped him LBW. He followed this up a few overs later by dismissing Khan in a very similar fashion. The innings finished in a flurry of runs and wickets with Damon taking one with the ball and then helping Peter and Benan get into the action with some smart catching in the deep. Vålerenga’s innings closed on an impressive but attainable 191/8.

Faced with a stiff target Aliens got off to a solid start without ever really putting Enga under quite enough pressure. Si departed in the second over for a duck, looking a lot like a man that hasn’t held a bat for 9 months before finally middling one, alas straight to point. Mitch (23) and Dennis (24) took the score along to 41 off 7, before a mix up meant Mitch was run out without being in the frame. Dennis was then caught behind off a bottom edge just before the halfway point with ACC on 62-3.

With 129 needed from 63 balls after Dennis' departure, Aliens were very much in need of a heroic performance from someone to get us back in the game. As many times before Damon was that man, starting steadily before building up to a blistering 63* from just 34 deliveries. Alas for the Aliens nobody else could match his ball striking, and with the rate climbing it was never going to be enough with a few scampered singles. As the overs remaining ticked down so the run rate crept up until we were left with an unlikely 32 required off the last over. Damon picked up a single off the first ball leaving Branson ‘ remember the name’ Belle with the task of smashing 5 maximums to tie the game. What followed will be remembered for some years to come.

19.2 Maroofkhel to Belle, SIX runs Belle starts the over with a six! Poor ball from Maroofkhel, half-volley on leg stump, Brathwaite heaves across the line and clears the rope at deep backward square leg

19.3 Maroofkhel to Belle, SIX runs Smeared over long-on, back-to-back sixes from Belle! The crowd are going nuts, Maroofkhel looks shellshocked, again it wasn't quite full enough and he rammed it back over long-on

19.4 Maroofkhel to Belle, SIX runs SIX MORE! Would you believe it? You had better believe it! West Indies are doing a jig in the dugout, not quite the 'Champion' dance but they are pretty much there... That looked like a mishit but it sailed several metres back over long-off this time.

19.5 Maroofkhel to Belle, SIX runs And again! This time the slog sweep comes out, and it’s hit high over backwards squares head.

19.6 Maroofkhel to Belle, SIX runs Maroofkhel goes the distance, he's out on his feet and the Aliens players are out on the field, charging for the middle - this soared into the stands at deep midwicket and Belle let out a primeval roar before being hugged by his team-mate Benan (Please note that this hugging was completed from a 2 m distance)

Unfortunately this isn’t actually what happened, but it’s nice to dream. As it was Maroofkhel bowled out the remaining 5 balls for a single and we fell 30 short.