Report submitted by Intellectuals Cricket Club
Intellectuals CC 178 for 8 off 40 overs (15 points) drew with Madrid II CC 127 for 8 off 40 overs (8 points)…
On a hot afternoon, with some occasional cloud cover and light breeze offering a little respite from the clammy heat, the Intellectuals and Madrid cricket clubs sweated through a tightly fought match; the result of which was open right up to the very end.
Murari, the Madrid skipper, having won the toss opted for his side to field, which, suited the Intellectuals given that they were still missing the odd player or five. L. McGarry and Yaser opened for the Intellectuals and on a very poor playing surface, both for batsman and bowler, managed to muster up some 50 runs together before drinks at 15 overs.
Shortly afterwards, McGarry was bowled for 12 from a straight ball that kept even lower than usual. In came the Intellectuals’ skip Tim Richards, who with Yaser moved the run rate along a little quicker than McGarry was able to, that is, until having knocked up a comfortable 23 runs, the skip decided a second attempt at a reverse sweep, only for the unpredictable pitch and bounce to leave him ruing his decision as the bails came tumbling down. Ali Falkner came in and with Yaser pushed the score along steadily, and then Yaser eventually being caught on 59, but with Ali now joined by Waseem there were still runs to be had; both scoring 28 runs each and the Intellectuals finishing on 178 for 8 at the end of their 40 overs.
Mention should be made of Stefan Martin who came in to face the last two balls and finished his innings not out for nought (and then going on to bowl 2 overs for just 5 runs). Pick of the Madrid bowlers was Sumon with a very respectable 10-0-23-2.
The Madrid innings started wobbly with the dismissal of Joe Healy for nought in the opening over and the score on 23 for 4 just after drinks (16 overs). Rohit, who had a very good spell behind the stumps for Madrid, came in under instructions to steady the innings … and so he did. After Ed Hitchcock was retired hurt having a swing at a full toss, missing and taking the delivery in a, though protected, rather delicate area, Sumon came in to assist Rohit with his mission; and ably it was accomplished.
Sumon going on to score 29, while Rohit remained unbeaten on 48, defending stoically and picking his shots intelligently despite the at times claustrophobic pressure put on him by the Intellectuals’ attack and field. Along with skipper Murari the 40 overs were seen out and a draw secured with one ball to spare. Pick of the Intellectual bowlers was without a doubt Waseem (9-3-12-3); Tony Prior returned from Belgium and while his first ball was hit for a six he then found himself on the verge of a hattrick of wickets which sadly he just missed out on, finishing with 3-0-23-2; a mention also of Gary Dale’s involvement in taking 4 wickets – 3 rock-solid catches and a wicket from his 2 overs).
In the end it has to be hats off to Madrid for weathering the storm and putting a up a great fight, which in spite of the resulting draw made for a very entertaining match: with square leg umpires being red carded for live texting, cautioned for inappropriate ‘comportment’ – leading to a dazed Intellectual wicketkeeper (who, thanks to swift help and good advice, has recovered fully); along with frequent dead ball calls due to the particular poor standard of the pitch (improvements will be made), being just a few of the many incidences in a fun-packed day of ‘development’ league cricket.
Liga de Cricket del Este y del Centro, Segunda Division (ECCL 2)
| P | W | D | L | NR | Pts | Avge. | ||
| PINATAR CC | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 101 | 20.20 | |
| SPORTING ALFAS CC | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 122 | 17.43 | |
| MADRID II CC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 135 | 16.87 | |
| LEVANTE II CC | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 99 | 16.50 | |
| LA MANGA CC | 8 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 84 | 10.50 | |
| TORREVIEJA CC | 8 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 80 | 10.00 | |
| INTELLECTUALS CC | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 67 | 9.57 | |
| ALMANZORA CC | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -87 | -12.44 |
