Category Archives: 3rd XI Match Reports

The last game of the Grade 4 season for AGSFP’s 3^rd XI saw Kemnay-Kintore 2^nd XI visit Harlaw. Seven changes to the team beaten the previous week saw Johnston, Chaitu, Gopal, Hart, Satya, Gillies return and Tammus Whyte play his first game of the season, joining Sandeep, Ghosh, Shriram, Kiran Bhanu.  Jim Lee, who in recent weeks had top scored with 45 and 52 not out (lazily made up of 13 x 4), was promoted to the 2^nd XI.

KK won the toss and asked FP’s to bat on a dull but dry afternoon. Johnston and Ghosh opened the batting for FP’s but recent batting hero Ghosh was soon out without scoring playing down the wrong line to Gibbs and was bowled. Gibbs then hit  Johnston’s leg stump, out for 3 and FP’s were 8 – 2 off  3.2 overs.  Gopal got off the mark with a good shot off his legs for 4, but was next out LBW for 5.

Chaitu had looked comfortable but was given out LBW having scored a good 11 ( 1 x 4). Hart hit a lofted straight drive over Gibb’s head then timed a nice shot off his legs to the boundary, but was bowled by Soni for 10, FP’s 44 – 5 off 11.3 overs.

Satya soon edged behind off Gibbs and Shri was bowled for 1 as FP’s collapsed. Gillies was bowled for a duck by Soni, FP’s 53 – 8. Sandeep made 5 before Gibbs struck again and the biggest partnership of the innings helped save a bit of pride for FP’s  when Kiran Bhanu and Whyte added an entertaining 35 in 6 overs. Whyte was unlucky to be brilliantly caught at mid-wicket having scored 12 ( 2 x 4) leaving Kiran Bhanu 15 n.o. (1 x 4). FP’s all out 97. Best bowling was J. Gibbs who bowled a great spell of 12 – 0 – 31 – 7, Soni took 2 – 23 and L. Thom  1 – 16.

A good tea was taken between innings and KK opened the batting with B. Thom and Fowlie. FP’s needed a quick breakthrough but KK had scored 24 before the 1^st wicket fell, Thom LBW to Sandeep for 7 (1 x 4). The second wicket had added 32 runs when Bhanu had Coe well caught in the covers by Chaitu for 17 (2 x 4).

FP’s struck again when Gillies took a brilliant one handed catch at gully to dismiss Turner off Sandeep for 0, KK 62 – 3. A great bit of fielding by Gopal saw Fowlie run out for 26 (3 x 4) and West was then bowled by Sandeep for 5 and when Cole was bowled by Kiran Bhanu, FP’s had brought themselves back into the game with KK at 74 – 6.

However batsmen Reeve J and Reeve D countered attacked well and soon knocked off the required runs ending 12 and 13 n.o respectively to see KK home by 4 wickets. Wicket takers for FP’s Sandeep 3 – 32, Kiran Bhanu 2 – 47.

Not a great end to the season for FP’s, too many batsmen playing poor shots partly due to a lack of match practice for many.

There was a good fight back which quietened KK for a while, but the FP’s total was just not good enough.

Champagne Moment – Gillies one handed catch

Man of the Match – Kiran Bhanu’s good all round performance, top scorer and top wicket taker for FP’s

The sun shone brightly at Methlick for the Grade 4 match between AGSFP’s 3rd XI and promotion chasing Methlick  2nd XI. The ground looked great, the wicket was straw coloured and firm, the outfield fast, perfect conditions for cricket.

For the first time this season FP’s were under strength with only 10 players, the team being Johnston, Dhanamani, Norwood, Rama Mantha, Ghosh, Gopal, Yalamanchili, Mountain, Lord and Russell.

AGSFP’s won the toss and invited Methlick to bat first. Methlick opened the batting with captain Rob Fryer and Gerrie as the pacemaker.
Yalamanchili opened the bowling for FP’s and it took him only 11 balls to take his first wicket when Gerrie suffered a heart stopping moment by playing on and had to take the walk, alone, Methlick 9 – 1.

Fryer and new batsman Anderson then added 20 runs before Yalamanchili struck again with 2 wickets in 2 balls in the 9th over. Anderson was well caught off by wicket keeper Ghosh off the back of the bat, Anderson out for 10 (2 × 4). Yalamanchili took his third wicket ball thanks to a fabulous catch at point by Shaun Mountain who dived to his right and just got his fingers under a dipping shot by MacLean, Methlick  29 – 3 off 9.5 overs.

Next over a good piece of bowling by Dhanamani brought FP’s the 4th wicket when Campbell was dismissed LBW for a duck, Methlick 30 – 4.

Methlick staged a bit of a recovery with Gordon defending well and Fryer playing some text-book back foot drives and using his feet well to the spinners, but fortunately for FP’s also finding the fielders, obviously Fryer had not been reading the Boycott Book of Batting he owns.

The 5th wicket had raised 24 runs when a change of bowling brought immediate success when first ball from Gopal had Gordon out safely caught at square leg by Lord for 3, Methlick 52 – 5 off 14.1 overs.

Gopal was hit for 3 x 4 in an over but kept his cool and gained revenge next over when opener Fryer was out well caught behind by an alert Ghosh for 28 (4 × 4), Methlick 76 – 6.

Mountain replaced Dhanamani who had bowled a good spell being unlucky not to take more wickets. Leg break bowler Mountain was turning the ball square, at times too much for the batsmen to hit.

But it was Gopal who had the aggressive Allan out when Rama made his usual immaculate job of taking a skier at mid wicket, Allan out for 23 (3 × 4), Methlick 102 for 7. Next ball Gopal saw Norwood take a good catch at mid on to dismiss Cordiner for a quick 12 (2 × 4).

Next batsman in was young Kennedy, who broke the Kennedy attacking mould by playing an immaculate defensive shot to avoid the hat trick ball. Russell replaced Mountain and in his second over had young Kennedy well caught at slip by Norwood. The last wicket added a frustrating 26 runs as Gopal tried in vain for his 5th wicket but few arial shots from Day avoided the fielders. Russell ended the innings with a straight ball to dismiss Hyde for 2, Day not out 16 (3 x 4), Methlick scoring 132 off 33.2 overs.

FP’s were on top during most of the Methlick innings, Yalamanchili bowled a great spell, apart from wides again being the top scorer off his bowing, 8 – 2 – 23 – 3, Dhanamani bowled accurately, 8 – 0 – 26 – 1, Gopal was unlucky not to get a five-for, Russell finished off the innings by bowling straight, 4.2 – 1 – 7 – 2, Mountain bowled some unplayable deliveries, and some playable, 4 – 0 – 24 – 0. Extras was comfortably highest contributor to the Methlick total of 44, again way to many.

The last tea away tea of the season was the best away tea of the season, a vegetable curry proving very popular with one or two of the less dedicated FP’s players.

Norwood and Rama opened the batting for FP’s and soon settled any nerves with Rama hitting a great straight drive for four. Rama had to leave early and as a result was cleaned bowled going for an expansive drive, out for 13 (2 × 4), but the opening stand was worth a solid 26 runs.

Next batsman in Ghosh and Norwood then added 23 runs without too many risks taken, the advantage of having 57 overs to score the runs meaning no risks necessary, and the fast outfield giving full value to the batsmen. Things went well for the batsmen and it was a surprise when Norwood was out caught off Cordiner for 24 (1 × 4), FP’s 49 – 2 off 20 overs.

Russell joined Ghosh and batted calmly to help take the score past 100, both batsmen playing sensible cricket and enjoying batting on a decent track on a day made for batting.

FP’s were within striking distance of the Methlick total, when Russell was out caught  for 18,  Johnston was soon out LBW for 2, one run less than helpings of the vegetable curry, proving runs don’t always follow curries.

Lord joined Ghosh in the middle as Fryer brought himself on to bowl. But having seen off Fryer, Ghosh opened up, hitting a couple of sixes over mid wicket. With 3 runs required Ghosh then finished the game with a huge 6 over mid wicket, this time into a field. Ghosh knew his own score and the number of runs required and showed great confidence in finishing the game and reaching a maiden 50 in such emphatic style.

Ghosh ended 51 n.o. (3 x 6, 4 x 4) and Lord 6 n.o (1 x 4).  Best bowling for Methlick, B. Anderson 12 – 3 – 23 – 3

FP’ s thoroughly deserved their 3rd victory of the season, beginning well and being in control throughout the match with good bowling fielding and batting from the 10 man team. After a match played in great spirit it was good to share a drink with the opposition.

Champagne Moment – normally Mountain’s catch would have won it, but Ghosh reaching his maiden 50 with a 6 takes the award

Man of the Match – Kingshuk with 2 catches and a match winning 51 n.o.

AGSFP’s 3rd XI had to make 5 changes to the team beaten by Gordonians two weeks prior, out went Whitely, Pirie, Alexander, Lee and Gillies and in came wicketkeeper Kingshuk Ghosh, Elia Guballa, trialist Roland Knudson, Rahul Gopal and Kiran Yalamanchili.

The downpour which had wiped out several games in Aberdeen an hour earlier, had softened the Dunecht wicket, but it was playable for the two teams who were keen to play cricket. FP’s won the toss and decided to bowl first. Hedge opened the bowling with Guballa, it was Guballa who took the first wicket when he bowled Derrett for 8 (1 × 6), Dunecht 13 – 1 off 3.3 overs. Next over from Guballa brought another wicket when Merryweather was comprehensively bowled for a duck, Dunecht 19 – 2.

Opening batsman Scott was using all his vast experience and played a very sensible inning, using good technique in playing the lifters and waiting for the occasional bad ball and hitting them for four. There were no edges to the boundaries on this outfield which was saw fielder’s chasing well hit shots only to overtake them and have to backtrack to pick up the ball! Batting was a struggle with variable bounce and that outfield. Every boundary was worth double (figure of speech!) and only very well hit aerial shots reached the rope, anything short had to be punished.

Witz was batting aggressively, but a change of bowling saw Dhanamani take his wicket with the first ball of his spell when the batsman tried to hit a loosener out of the estate, but only succeeded in seeing wicketkeeper Ghosh take a brilliant leg side catch off the back of the bat, Witz out for 24 (1 × 6, 3 x 4), Dunecht 59 – 3 off 15.1 overs.

FP’s had to wait until the 30th over for their next wicket as Scott and Donald added 31 runs mainly in walked singles, the usually hard hitting Donald having bat problems and Scott finding his Zimmer frame getting in the way of the quick single.

All the FP’s bowlers had bowled well, Hedge and D’Costa had been unlucky and Dhanamani had bowled a tight spell with Yalamanchili giving away mainly wides. Tea had to be taken early as a heavy shower of rain forced the players off the field for half an hour or so after 29 overs, the covers probably saving the game.

When play resumed, Gopal’s tempted the increasingly frustrated Donald to leave his crease and keeper Ghosh completed a very good stumping, Donald out for 11, Dunecht 90 – 4 off 31.4 overs. Spinner Dhanamani took a 3rd wicket in his next over, Knudson comfortably holding onto the catch at mid-off, Campbell out for 2, Dunecht 93 – 5.

Scott was finally dismissed beaten by the non-pace of Rahul, donating a catch to Yalamanchili on the leg side, Dunecht 113 for 6, Scott batting for a long 42 overs and a tea interval.

New batsmen Roberts and Arun added a quick 23 runs by having a go at anything short, Dunecht closing their innings with 136 for 6 wickets off 46 overs. The not out batsmen Roberts 18 no (2 × 4), Arun 10 no (1 × 4).

For FP’s, Dhanamani bowled an excellent spell of 12 – 2 – 23 – 3, Guballa 7 – 1 – 19 – 2, Gopal 4 – 0 – 14 – 1, Yalamanchili 9 – 0 – 20 – 0, D’Costa 6 – 0 – 22 – 0, Hedge 6 – 2 – 23 – 0, Lord 2 – 0 – 14 – 0. In a low scoring match where every run should be hard work, FP’s donated 23 wides and dropped several catchable catches.

The required run rate was just over three an over, but on this wet wicket and this outfield, this would require a good effort from FP’s. Opening batsmen Lord and Ghosh had put on only 4 runs when Lord gave Derrett a tricky caught and bowled chance which he took one handed above his head. Ghosh and Russell proceeded slowly against accurate bowling, the score was 15 – 1 off 15 overs, bowlers Derrett and Roberts giving nothing away. FP’s lost their 2nd wicket when Roberts bowled Ghosh for 7, FP’s 19 – 2. The outfield was now even slower following the rain shower, with no wind or sun to dry it out.

Russell and Hedge had added 28 watchful runs when Russell, having just hit Curry for a 4 and a 6, was bowled by Dunecht skipper Burnett for 23 (1 × 6, 2 x 4), runs still proving very hard to come by. Guballa and Johnston then also perished trying to raise the scoring rate, Guballa well caught on the boundary by Derrett without scoring and Johnston bowled by Derrett for 2, FP’s score 61 – 5 off 31 overs.

Hedge was next out, caught behind by Witz off Burnett for 21 (3 × 4), FP’s 61 – 6, 34 overs. The required scoring rate had rapidly risen to over 7 an over and with FP’s last unrecognised batsman Knudson out stumped off Burnett for 5 (1 x 4), FP’s chances of winning had gone.

Gopal was soon out LBW for 1, FP’s 69 – 8, D’Costa coming it to bat at a tense stage of the game and in poor light as the heavy clouds hung over the park. Dhanamani and D’Costa batted calmly and correctly to see out the last few overs with Dunecht pushing for the victory to keep then on top of Grade 4.

Schoolboy D’Costa showed good bravery and technique after being hit in the ribs by an unnecessary short ball from one of the Dunecht bowlers, a belated apology coming only at the end of the game.

Best bowling for Dunecht, Burnett 11 –  – 6 – 20 – 5, Derrett 12 – 6 – 12 – 2.

On a difficult wicket and dead outfield FP’s bowled well but dropped catches proved, as usual, costly. The mostly inexperienced batting line up batted on the whole with good technique and patience and deservedly came away with a draw.

Champagne Moment – The well anticipated leg side catch by Ghosh off Dhanamani to dismiss Witz

Man of the Match – Sandeep bowled his best spell taking 3 – 23 and batted calmly at the end

AGSFP’s 3rd XI welcomed Gordonians 3rd XI to an overcast Harlaw for the Grade 4 match. FP’s were forced to make 8 changes to the team which had beaten Stonehaven the previous week. Unavailable were schoolboys Monnapillai, Ghosh, Thanga, along with Norwood, Balasubramani, Khan, Murray and Chithambaram. Into the side came skipper Johnston, keeper Jim Lee, James Lord, Tim Gillies, Jason Alexander, Phil Whiteley, Leston D’Costa and this week’s debutant, schoolboy Jack Pirie. Gordonians captain Jason Stark lost the toss and was asked to bat first. Continue reading →

For the short drive down the coast to Stonehaven, AGSFP’s 3rd XI had to make the usual 6 changes to the team which had lost at Banchory the previous week. Unavailable this week were Alexander, Stuart, D’Costa, Goodenough, Gillies and Johnston. Into the team came Doug Russell, Abdul Khan, Shri Balasubramani, Tom Murray, Arun Chithambaram and this week’s debutant scholboy Akil Thanga to join Paul Norwood, Rutwik Hedge, Rajaa Monnapillai, Kingshuk Ghosh and captain Sandeep Dhanamani.

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