Finally, the day had arrived that ACC4 and ACC5 would meet in the middle for real. We've had our shares of friendlies (which we won this year) but this was different. Both at the top of the league on 14 points, with us having played one less. An important game for both of us. The rain Saturday didn't do any good as the outfield was fairly wet so we would have opted to field first. Also, because we were playing with 9 seniors with 2 very much young talented U13 cricketers Berend en Jim against a full senior team of ACC5. Before I go any further writing, this report will be totally biased and from an ACC4 perspective.


We were send in to bat first (lost the toss) so it was up to us to set a target high enough for them not to reach: 200 should be fine, broken up in segments of 50 runs each 10 overs.
The openers, Zeddy and Sanjay, executed the plan excellently as they were on 50 in no time with some good boundaries. This also included some strange calling (or none) by the two and both almost got run out on different occasions.
First wicket fell on 82 (Zeddy) on a good delivery bowled by Richard and caught by Frank.
Omar showing positive signs promoted to fill in the important gap of the no.3 slot, didn't stay long and got stumped. So, Ali back in the squad after his holiday in London, brought the 100 score together with Sanjay before being given caught behind. Obviously not happy with himself and what the board said: 106/3.
Atif in good form lately played aggressively which gave Sanjay the needed boost and sixes were flying all over the place and Sanjay reaching his half century.
Tried playing on shot too many, Sanjay got caught by Robert on again a well flighted delivery by Mr. Robert England.
Still trying to find his rhythm, Khurram got out unluckily on a caught&bowled Patrick delivery in his follow through, which bruised his hand.
Now, Berend making his debut in ACC4 went in, well protected from head to toe, batted nicely along side Atif. Atif misjudged a delivery by Robert and was caught in the safe hands of Tim. By then we were already 149/6 and I came in at no.8. It was obvious, they were not targeting Berend at all and made sure that he kept the strike so drying up the runs. Well, I wanted to have a go at the pacers but good thinking by the opposition as they put Robert Wolfe on me. With the legside almost completely covered and the ball cutting in, I still managed to hog on over the long-on fence. It looked as if it was my first time batting and the second attempt resulted in another stumping by Joost, 164/7. Should have played my natural game.
Teja got in and showed some solid defense and class. He was a man on a mission and knew what the captain had ordered. Counting balls, rotating the strike and good shot selection showed a completely new and improved ACC4 member without even having trained for weeks now. I guess the PhD study is doing him good.
The inevitable happened, Tim Lewis failed to understand the plan and got Berend out, who stood there for at least 9 overs with some quick running, 172/8.
Guy, still having difficulties with his left wing, edged a Alex delivery into the safe hands Patrick with only adding 6 runs on the board.
Jim, our only hope to add the much needed difference to the attacking 200, did his best by facing many bowlers and supporting Teja by some good running.
Until Teja skied a Tim delivery, caught by Mr. England. Afterwards we tried his new bat in the nets and thought probably not knocked in yet....well, nothing wrong with the bat, it was just the shot.
Another treat was the number of supporters watching this game and I heard big money was involved as well. Mostly put on a win for ACC, regardless being 4th or 5th.

Batting:
Sanjay - 67
Zeddy - 30
Atif - 30
Teja - 17

As always, a good healthy lunch at ACC and still very much pleased with the total we made, excitement rushed in. Would we be able to defend it, would they even reach the first drinks break, would we even reach the second drink?
From the second over we knew this would be an interesting match, Robert Wolfe showed a textbook on-drive and scored a boundary.
Next over, Patrick hit me through midwicket for four, that happens rarely I must say. When I got the ball, it was already as dead as it was used for 50 overs i.e. no shine, leather cut, seem disturbed, you name. Next time, I'll use my own cricketball instead of using one of Mike's.
The first wicket fell on 57, patrick got run-out by a good Atif hit and wasn't happy, the least to say as he was looking in good touch. Nagesh came in and dragged something along what looked like a tree.
Some double pressed bat so thick even Tendulkar's bat would look like a stump. Counting dotballs helps against the temperamental Asians so we counted every dotball. By the time the 5th dotball was bowled, Nagesh hit one straight up in the air and a good catch was taken by Atif, 60/2.
Mr. England came in and joined forces with Mr. Wolfe, (RM&RW) who by the way was on course for his second 50 in a row. RM gave RW good support and it resulted in RW getting his 50.
A few runs later RW was beaten by an excellent delivery of Ali which broke the left bail. RW couldn't do anything about it and had to leave, leaving the other RM still at the crease, 117/3. Richard came into the attack and got off the mark with a thick edge played between gully and point. Some good hitting and placing into the gaps made sure that they kept the run rate in sight. We tried bowling tight but the singles kept coming in a steady pace.
Finally, the break through came. A well directed throw from the boundary by Khurram, made sure that the set batsman Robert was runout, 138/4.
Captain Big Mike came in, with the difference now being a mere 51 runs for a tie and 52 for them to win. Given the fact that there were still plenty overs to play and wickets in hand, I still knew, the target set was out of reach.
Ali not so lucky with the bat earlier and who's wicket Richard took asked specifically to have a bowl at Richard. A few runs later, he got his revenge by taking Richard's wicket. Always nice to see some positive rivalry in cricket.
Tim the new batsman in, didn't last long and got bowled by a jaffer by Atif who had been bowling a real tight line throughout his bowling, 149/6.
Talented righthand-bat, leftarm-bowler Philip got in but also didn't stay long as another great delivery by Atif got him bowled too.
Now it was up to the ACC5 overseas player Alex Taylor (from Ajax) to give Mike the much needed support and slowly runs were started to flow again.
Luck slowly turned on our sides as I ran Alex out (non-strikers end) on my follow through, trying to hold on to the ball.
By then they still 22 needed from the last few overs, with Mike still in and set, it could go anywhere so I must admit I scratched my head a few times.
Last two wickets Joost (got stumped) and Frank tried their best but in the end good under pressure bowling by Omar made sure that runs indeed proved to be a bit too much.
Mike and Frank at the crease saw us celebrating the 14 runs victory.
Excellent tight and competitive game which will meet upcoming Sunday again. This time, the 1st pitch will be the battle arena.

Bowling:
Abid - 8-1-30
Ali - 10-44-2
Atif - 10-29-2
Run outs: Khurram, Atif, Abid

Man of the match: Teja (for his very important runs in the end and his great commitment in the field)

AM