Knudson & Thomson were back in action
FPs slumped to a heavy 8 wicket loss to 2nd Knightriders mustering just 80 at Groats Road. Despite a determined effort with the ball, they could not make any real impression as the hosts ran out easy winners. FPs as is well documented have lost many players to the central belt and were further depleted with 5 of last week’s team unavailable, numbers 3 to 6 from last week all missing, in all FPs made 6 changes. Losing the toss and then Alex Keith 1st ball of the afternoon rather summed up the day as FPs struggled to make any impression.
With skipper Swiergon and vice skipper Prash both missing, Geoff Morrison was handed the captaincy returning after he handed it over in 2016. He was also missing Penman and last weeks star performers Gill and Satish who was injured, Tom Murray was rotated but Roland Knudson did return and John Thomson ended his retirement quicker than Tom Brady to play, Matt Barker had a day off from catching criminals and made a rare start with Sharma and Bhosale debuting. FPs lined up, Keith, Morrison, Haider, Sood, Sharma, Nattrass, Bhosale, Knudson, Javaid, Barker, Thomson.
Morrison lost a toss he was keen to win and FPs were asked to bat. It started badly as Keith offered no shot to Balaji 1st ball and was bowled off stump for a golden duck. Haider arrived in a more elevated role than usual and looked in good touch but had made just 12 when Malireddy bowled him with a good delivery. Sood was circumspect as he tried to build an innings, but did smash one huge 6 but fell soon after given out caught at the wicket, Sood a bit disappointed with the outcome. It was 40 for 4 when Morrison was bowled by a slower ball by John for 12 having appeared comfortable till then.
Sharma and Nattrass seemed to have weathered the storm, Nattrass striking a big six and a fine pull for 4 but they both fell in quick succession as FPs stumbled further. Sharma LBW to Bhalaji for 1 and Bhalaji taking a fine diving catch to remove Nattrass for 15. Bhalaji was involved in everything and clean bowled Bhosale for a duck and he had a 4th when a long hop was superbly caught by Subramanian at square leg, Javaid having to drag himself off for 3.
The wickets continued to tumble as FPs succumbed to 80 all out as Barker and Knudson were both bowled by Malireddy. Overall a fairly average showing.
Needing wickets, Thomson took the new ball and Keith completed his nightmare day shelling a simple chance at 1st slip. Aman Sood could not find the breakthrough but his replacement Javaid struck straight away, a full toss being missed by Vallatharasu who was right back on his stumps and had to go for 11. Thomson and Knudson were then both convinced they should have had LBWs but the umpire disagreed. Knudson then saw Barker drop a tough chance on the boundary as FPs day worsened. Knudson did finally strike, clean bowling Muhammad for 12, the home side 65 for 2. FPs battled on but Knightriders closed the game out with 20 overs remaining, Vivek on 43 not out.
FPs knew this season was going to be very different from previous campaigns and will need to regroup ahead of Masterblasters next week. Availability does look better as the season develops and that should help FPs start to get some wins on the board.
Champagne Moment
Nothing to really celebrate but Mike Nattrass’ six was quite good.
Man of the Match
Given no one got past 15 and only 2 wickets were taken, there is not too much to choose from.
