The scheduled Grade 3 match between AGSFP’s 3rd XI and Portcullis originally due to be played at the Duthie Park was changed to the sunny and bright Sheddocksley 1. But at least the rollercoaster wicket which had served the council so well this season had been retired for the summer and replaced with a flatter looking pitch of two halves. From off stump to leg stump there was a perfectly straight line, one half straw coloured, one half a light green colour. The bowlers footholds at one end looked like weeds, the rough area fortunately ending just beyond a full length and the crease markings as usual looked sufficient to last about half the match. The couch grass on the wicket was removed prior to the start and the Grade 3 match could commence.
But the strange cut pattern also confused the coin and FP’s won the toss and invited Portcullis to bat first. The team selected by FP’s was Johnston, Sandeep, Lord. J (RHB), Lord. J (RHB,OB), Vishal, Guru, D’Costa, Shriram, Gillies, Norwood, and a surprisingly sprightly after a 43 mile, all night charity walk, wicketkeeper Jim Lee. (The walk the previous weekend, not the previous night. He just hobbled like it was the previous night)
Having confirmed for the tenth time that a vital contact lens had not been forgotten/lost this week to again delay the start, FP’s captain Johnston felt obliged to be more forgiving to the almost late again Vishal. D’Costa was given the honour of opening the bowling as a reward for passing his highers.
The modest D’CostAAAAA was thumped to the boundary first over by Forbes, the batsmen ‘not sure where that came from’, but his teammates had recovered by the time Vishal bowled him for 5, Portcullis 40 – 1 off 7.5 overs.
Shanawaa hit two fours off Vishal, but then rifled a shot straight to Johnston at cover, Portcullis 60 – 2 off 9.5 overs. Opener Sahoo was punishing anything but a good ball and the score was a healthy 89 – 2 off 16 overs when Lord replaced Vishal who had bowled well.
The score continued to rattle along as both Sahoo and Mitchell went for their shots. Unfortunately the bowling was mixed with all bowlers except wicket takers Vishal and Guru taking punishment.
Only one ball was permanently lost over the fence, partly due to a helpful Portcullis umpire who located the ball on one occasion. Unfortunately during one of the forays into the undergrowth Norwood twisted an ankle and had to retreat to the boundary at third man where he manfully aggravated the injury while instinctively chasing the ball. Over the boundary.
Mitchell was out for 49 (2 x 6, 7 x 4) when Lord (RHB) took a comfortable catch off Guru’s last over, whose final 3 overs in his spell went for only 3 runs, the pressure telling on the batsman. The stand was worth 99.
Sahoo and Portcullis skipper Kannan then added 88 runs in only 10 overs as FP’s were hit around the park, three dropped catches not helping the cause. Portcullis declared on 247 – 3 off 42 overs, Sahoo reaching a powerful 124 n.o. (20 x 4) and Kannan a rapid 39 n.o. (4 x 4).
Wicket takers for FP’s Vishal 9 – 2 – 28 – 2, Guru 12 – 2 – 57 – 1. D’CostD has a bowling re-sit next week. Blisterman Lee kept well for FP’s.
Regular FP’s opener Norwood had not recovered during the tea interval, the previous week’s cooler full of ice and beer would have temporarily eased the pain, until the hangover kicked in, but with only tea and sympathy on offer, Norwood was declared unfit to open the batting for FP’s.
Lord and Lord opened the batting for FP’s, and James Lord hit a classic cover drive for four off Winstanley to encourage FP’s. But Mitchell opened with three maidens, and then John Lord was unlucky to just edge a lifting ball and he walked off without waiting for the umpire to raise the finger, FP’s 20 – 1 off 7 overs, Portcullis acknowledging the batsman walking.
Vishal hit one cracking cut for four, but was soon out as he yorked himself and Mitchell had a second wicket, Vishal scoring 7 (1 x 4), FP’s 27 – 2 off 10.1 overs. Opener James Lord had looked comfortable, but was out for 13 (1 x 4) bowled by Mitchell, FP’s 40 – 3 off 13 overs.
Guru was soon punishing any bad ball, racing to his fifty with 3 x 6’s and 7 x 4’s. The fourth wicket partnership with Johnston was worth 57 when Johnston was bowled by a ball from Mitchell which kept a bit low, Johnston scoring the 7 (1 x 4), Guru just the 5. FP’s 97 – 4 off 23 overs.
D’Costa and Guru then counter attacked, scoring 40 runs in 6 overs, hitting the ball to all corners and running well between the wickets. The fun ended when Guru hit a shot high towards the boundary only to see the fielder take a good running catch while carefully trying to avoid stepping on the boundary. The fielders word was taken that he had not touched the line and Guru was out for a magnificent 70, (4 x 6, 9 x 4). When Guru learns a bit more patience, he will make some very big scores.
Fielders positioned over 70 yards from the catch should not critisise the batsman who quietly asked the umpire if the catch was good . The unnecessary comments taken as a compliment to the quality of the batting. FP’s now 137 – 5 off 29 overs.
Shriram had scored a single when he was caught at short square leg by an alert Forbes off Kannan, FP’s 146 – 6. Lee was soon out caught off Winstanley, FP’s 147 – 7.
D’Costa had again batted very well scoring 27 (3 x 4) but was out caught also off Winstanley after a good stand with Sandeep, FP’s 164 – 8. The stand had also seen Sandeep score his first runs of the season, a guide to third man which he repeated to the boundary. Unfortunately the run fest was ended after some good batting when he was caught off Kannan for 6, FP’s 164 for 9, Gillies 0 n.o. Norwood absent hurt.
FP’s lost by 83 runs in a game they were always chasing. Portcullis set a big but not impossible total, but FP’s were hampered by losing an in form opening batsman while fielding.
Man of the Match – Guru, batted beautifully, bowled with good control against attacking batting, fielded well
Champagne Moment – Sandeep getting off the season’s mark
