Match Report – Sporting Alfas CC v Intellectuals CC

Sunday 17th February 2008, Columbus Oval, Playa Albir.

Sporting Alfas     CC    220 for 4

The Intellectuals          CC    182 for 5         

Sporting Alfas CC won by 38 runs 

Stormy Passage for Intellectuals 

With six overs to go and a required run rate of 6.5 runs an over, the Intellectuals looked set for a historic win. The smell of the victory cucumber sandwiches, which for too long have been frozen in a secret ‘conjelador’ five metres beneath the scorer’s office, was in the air. Perhaps the sandwiches were, at last, defrosting. 

But within a few overs the Sporting Alfas bowlers had regained the initiative, tied the Intellectuals batsmen down and, in the end, cruised to a deserved victory. 

An unbeaten and chanceless 97 from Muñoz was the platform upon which SACC built. He was ably partnered bySunderland(51), Marriner (28), Ul Rehman (23) and Williams (28) and Sporting Alfas amassed a good total of 220 in a thirty over game. 

The Intellectuals attack was spearheaded by Mohammed Kahn who bowled aggressively and intelligently, using the blustery conditions well, varying his pace and continually asking questions of the batsmen. He was supported by some accurate bowling from his fellow team mates and a confident performance by skipper, McGarry, who kept his team on the front foot in the face of a very well organised batting display. 

On a flat track the Intellectuals batsmen struck out in good order. After the initial disappointment of the loss of keeper-opener MacInnes for 19 and Shafkat for 5, Jack Hersh and Mohammed Kahn put together a classy partnership with Hersh, as senior batsman, anchoring the duo, whilst Kahn cut and pulled almost at will. His superb innings of 87 was achieved in just over 40 balls. His march was only halted by Sunderland who took a difficult catch in the deep, running forward to a lofted ball in failing light, and that turned the game. 

With Kahn back in the pavilion, or ‘hut’, the Intellectuals batsmen were unable to maintain the controlled, self confidence and aggression exhibited by the top order. As the wicket of Afzaal (12) fell, so the run rate grew, leaving Keeling (not out 6) and Simon Hersh (not out 7), thirty eight runs adrift and the team with a total of 182 for 5. 

Conditions were cool and blustery, with a moist breeze blowing in off theMediterraneanand this intriguing game was marked by some excellent performances. Muñoz was unlucky not to achieve a century. Kahn’s all round performance of 87 and 3 for 37 marked him out as the class act of the day and young George Pennick’s brilliant slower ball, which deceived both batsman and wicket-keeper, showed a combination of ability and insight some of the more experienced Intellectuals would do well to learn from. 

D Anthony 18/2/2007