Yesterday we played at our homeground in Allentown. We were sent in to bat and since five of us were 5-6 minutes late the batting order got switched around. I went in when 2 wickets fell quickly with next to nothing on the scoreboard.
I proceeded to settle down with a fair modicum of luck as two relatively tough catches were dropped off me in quick sucession. The second one of them resulting in a four at long on. I kept trying to rotate strike but conditions werent great for batting with a slow and low wicket due to the overnight rain. The outfield which is bumpy and quite thick did not help matters a great deal. I was able to hoist one of their opening quicks for a six over long on. Quite an odd shot, especially coming from me. Nothing more than a backfoot over and under. My team mates refer to it as the 'chaapti'. Thus, the scoreboard read 53/3 after 14 overs at the first drinks break.
After the drinks break, I attempted to rotate strike and singles kept coming although at a relatively sedate pace. Amongst these singles I flicked one off my legs through mid wicket for 4. Probably my best shot of the day considering there was a deep mid wicket in place and yet I was able to place it the gap without lifting the ball. Shortly thereafter I hoisted the same bowler for a 6 over long on. This was almost a replica off the shot I hit earlier except I hit this a further 10 yards or so. I lost my partner shortly thereafter and the signal came from the dressing room to attempt to increcase the run rate which was hovering at the 3.9 mark. Another partner was lost in the search for quick runs. My last boundary off the day was a down the track chip over extra cover.
I lost my wicket trying to swing an offie on the leg side. I was caught dead in front and made my way back. I scored 46.
I had scratched around for 25 overs, missed more than I hit, mistimed aplenty, been dropped 3 times in that duration. Of course my namesake came in and stormed a 53* off 35-40 balls and made batting look far easier. The power of talent.
We lost the game mainly due to our extravagant extras. They totalled 34 with 30 wides. You simply cant win a game against decent opposition with that kind of an extras tally.
So 3-2 with some very tough games in the month of July.
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