Match Report: NECC vs Viswa CC

Approaching the end of the season, a gorgeous Sunday afternoon welcomed us at our home ground for the first match of September vs. Viswa CC. A finely cut pitch baking under the late summer sun promised good batting conditions. The visiting captain was given the preference to bat first as we wanted to put our best foot forward and bowl first. We had two debutants in Ewan and Gabriel and our chairman, Mark Arthur, was in the eleven for a record third time this season. 

Charlie took the new ball with Aidan hoping to continue his good form, but the openers were watchful and severe on anything loose. Charlie’s second over cost 15 runs and he was replaced by Aaron. Aidan had kept things tight at the other end and ended a probing spell to give way to Jack. The two new bowlers bowled well together to build pressure on the batsman. Aaron was rewarded with the wicket of Ajit, given LBW, with the score on 69. 

Aaron should have had Arpit caught at cover when he hit a full toss straight to Jack but Jack’s poor catching form continued to let him down. Shortly after drinks, Arpit gloved one to Charlie, who had taken over the gloves from Ewan, but it did not stick. Aaron continued to challenge the batsman in a spell that saw multiple edges just evading the fielders. Shah replaced Aaron with his off-spin and kept thing tight before he dismissed the number three batsman, Hitesh, caught and bowled. 

At 122 for two in the 21st over, Viswa CC were all set for a big score on a flat pitch. Jack finished a wicketless spell off eight overs for 36 runs in the 22nd over. He was replaced by the leg spin of the skipper, Kalp. Vicky, the number four batter, managed to edge one between the keeper and slip in Kalp’s first over but was caught behind two balls later. Shah struck in the next over to remove the new man, Apurva, clean bowled. The following over saw Ronak run out at the non-striker’s end after a mix up. Aaron was quick to get the ball to Kalp who broke the stumps before Ronak could make his ground after being sent back by Arpit. This brought Viswa CC to 162 for five after 26 overs and there was a sliver of hope to keep them under six runs an over. 

Rukhsan joined Arpit and they steadied the ship while Arpit continued to score freely. He reached his 100 with a six off Kalp over mid-wicket and, to our relief, retired himself at 105 off 90 balls. Kamali joined Rukhsan and both of them took the innings to a close with Rukhsan reaching his 50 off the last ball of the innings. A particularly poor effort in the field from the Exiles saw several catches dropped, 49 extras and 39 boundaries off the bat were conceded. Viswa CC finished on 290 for five after their 40 overs. 

After a refreshing tea and a prolonged break on a hot day, the two captains faced off to kick off the chase. Kalp was watchful with Shah punishing anything even remotely short at the other end before he was caught behind off Parimal’s outswing, trying an expansive drive. In the next over, Dhaval trapped Shah LBW for 11. Ewan, on debut, did not last long as he top edged a flick off Parimal to be caught by the man at gully running in. Kashif was very questionably given out LBW in the following over to Dhaval. 

Jack, batting at four, was steady at the other end. Swami replaced Parimal and soon bowled Charlie off a full delivery. In the very next over, Josh was run out without facing a ball. The chase had well and truly been derailed at 46 for six after 13 overs. Aaron came in at number eight and started off an innings that would result in his personal best score. Runs off the board allowed Viswa CC to keep the field up. Aaron took full advantage of this and hit a remarkable 15 fours and three sixes even as wickets kept falling at the other end. 

Aaron’s was the penultimate wicket to fall after he had scored 82 off 52 balls. Before him, Jack and Aidan were bowled off deliveries that kept low. Gabriel was the not out batsman as last man, Mark Arthur, was bowled by Kamali who finished with four wickets for 31 runs.

A thumping victory for Viswa CC but a difficult day for the Exiles was brightened up by a fantastic knock from Aaron that earned him the player of the match.

Scorecard