The first 6 of the season was recorded before the AGSFP’s 2nd XI match against Cults / Artisans had actually started. The car temperature gauge, recently repaired after an incident on the way home from Methlick last season, read 6 degrees Celsius at Rubislaw. The next Grades AGM should include a proposal that if the temperature falls below my last two seasons average added together, the game is cancelled.
But at least it was sunny when FP’s won the toss and asked CA skipper Dickie to bat. The boundary flags were set in the usual positions, but the lush, soft, bumpy outfield meant it would take a very good ground stroke to cross the line.
FP’s team to play CA had several new faces from last season. Long serving FP’s stalwart Rob Fryer had decided to leave and accepted the Lairds shilling, that and the thought of the well maintained outfield for his cover drive and the short car drive from home to Methlick, meant FP’s would be missing a key man in the line up.
The 2nd XI team read Johnston, Magesh, Rama, Pehlaj, Macdonald, Karthik, Dr Joy, Gillies, Whyte, Sandeep, with FP debuts for Tim Gillies and Kiran Yalamanchili.
The CA line up had several of their famous Legends missing, with the even more legendary Fountain of Youth also missing from one or two.
Kieran Whyte opened the bowling from the Pavilion End and Karthik from the Cromwell Road End. Both bowlers immediately found a good line and length meaning the opening batsmen struggled to score, both bowlers were unlucky as lofted shots dropped safely between fielders and a tricky catch was dropped.
FP’s made the breakthrough in the 7th over when Dickie was adjudged LBW to Whyte for 2, score 7 – 1. Karthik then struck in the next over when new batsman O’Brien was bowled for 2, unluckily playing on, CA score 9-2, 7.3 overs.
Whyte’s opening spell ended with figures of 8 – 2 – 14 – 1, an excellent spell at any time of the season, never mind the first game of the season on a cold winter’s day. Kiran replaced Kieran, and bowled well to an attacking field, and newly appointed vice captain Magesh replacing Karthik.
Karthik, usually a slow starter to the season, bowled possibly his best spell for FP’s, 9 – 2 – 17 – 1, and was unlucky not to take more wickets.
The 3rd wicket stand was worth a healthy 46 when Magesh found a way past Prabesh’s defence, bowling him for 19 (1 x 6), CA score 55 – 3. Anderson was batting well, but the slow outfield meant FP’s were happy to give Anderson easy singles to bowl at the new batsmen. FP’s fielding had been keen in the cool temperatures and Anderson’s patience finally ran out when he advanced down the wicket to Magesh and edged to slip where Macdonald did very well to hold on to a sharp catch at slip low to his left, Anderson scoring 33, CA 79 – 4 in 30 overs.
Kiran was bowling some excellent deliveries, but R Munro defied his best efforts as FP’s looked for another quick wicket. Magesh, by his own admission, was not at his best, but kept taking wickets; having two batsmen were bowled round their legs, Abi offered a simple caught & bowled and Karthik comfortably held on to an awkward cold – hand catch at mid off as FP’s took 6 wickets for 19 runs. Melvin Joy replaced Kiran and took a wicket with his 3rd ball, with Karthik successfully overtaking Macdonald in the race for the catching cup.
New batsman Chisolm, known to bat for days without taking on food or water, played very carefully, and was joined by the last two batsmen, both 10 years old. L. Munro was stumped by Pehlaj without scoring, but A. Dalziel lasted several overs playing with good technique and good attitude, refusing to be intimidated by the close fielders hovering around his bat, much to the delight of his team mates. He was eventually bowled by Magesh, CA all out 106 off 41.3 overs, with Chisolm 4 n.o.
Magesh took the bowling honours with a career best 7 – 30 off 11.3 overs, but will be grateful for Whyte and Karthik’s excellent opening spell. For FP’s, Kiran bowled 9 – 0 – 35 – 0, Joy 4 – 1 – 6 – 1. FP’s fielded well, with Sandeep and Gillies looking keen, and Pehlaj saving several leg side runs. Maybe the 27 wides can be excused a little given the cold conditions and it being the first game. Maybe.
Tea was taken in the warmth of the Pavilion during which a heavy hailstone shower dampened the wicket and outfield.
Rama and Pehlaj went out to open for FP’s and both looked in good form, taking the score to 21 without any real problems. But unexpectedly Rama went back and across to a straight ball from Thompson and was given out LBW (by both umpires) for 7, FP’s 21 off 7 overs.
Pehlaj was playing some lovely drives and cuts and along with Macdonald kept the score moving. Macdonald was also in good form, driving powerfully through the covers. Anderson bowled a tidy spell until the joints seized up and Macdonald took advantage by hitting 2 x 4’s and Pehlaj took another boundary in the same over.
The topic of conversation at square leg was about cricket equipment, thermal underwear equipment that is, and how many layers were being worn. For the record, or more likely, next week, the M&S wool thermals got the vote.
FP’s were cruising to victory, but the temperature fell as the dark clouds with accompanying cold wind which felt like it was coming direct from the Russian Steppes. But it turned out to be from the Rubislaw steps, bringing with it a heavy hail storm. With the game all but won, AC generously stayed on the pitch without complaint.
Macdonald was out caught off Thomson for an attractive 22 (3 x 4), but will have to look for another bat as he became the third player to break his captains bat. Not sure where the other two batsmen are playing now.
Pehlaj and Karthik were now going for their shots and the game was finished after 24.5 overs with Pehlaj completing a classy 52 n.o. (1 x 6, 4 x 4) and Karthik a rapid 15 n.o. (1 x 4) For AC, Thomson bowled 11 – 2 – 24 – 2, and youngsters Munro and Dalziel both bowled with promise, and their fielding was excellent.
The game ended with friendly handshakes all round, where it might have been more appropriate in the conditions to rub noses.
FP’s got off to the perfect start winning their first game in Grade 2 for many years by a convincing 8 wickets. Magesh and Pehlaj make the headlines, but all the bowlers played their part, and the fielding was good first game of the season.
Man of the Match – Magesh, 7 wickets with his first bowl since last August.
Champagne Moment – Pehlaj reaching a well deserved 50
