Game Report - August 16, 2008
MCC verses NWCC
Highlights:
NWCC Innings
2 partnerships of more than 50 for NWCC
6th wicket - Hazrat Naseri and Naveen Ramaswamy 54 runs in 6.3 overs
9th wicket - Charandeep Singh and Nirwan 53 runs in 7.4 overs
Gavin Bruhn bowling analysis at one point 4-2-6-4
MCC Innings
122 opening partnership between Zafar Khan and Roberto Anitori in 11 overs
Zafar Khan 50 in 21 balls and 100 (20x4 and 2x6) in 53 balls
61 run partnership for 4th wickets between Khan Barech Zafar Khan.
Match Details
MCC crushed a not so good looking NWCC side to complete a comprehensive 8 wicket victory, clearing more hurdles on their ever adventurous road trip to Playoffs. The basis for the win was a superb century from MCC stalwart Zafar Khan and impressive display of deceptive off-cutters from Gavin Bruhn, who returned to MCC after a long break and quietly influenced rest of the MCC bowling contingent. His bowling might well act as a curtain to MCC's indisciplined bowling display in the past and hopefully opened gates for better bowling performances to come.
The day wasn't meant for cricket as per the temperature goes, scorching heat and dead wind made it worse for MCCs tropical opening bowlers. Earlier the toss took place in a swimming pool enticing NWCC captain to bat first and field later in exponentially cooling surrounding. Its also believed Brian from PCC was also there in that pool and officiating the match from there itself.
NWCC started steadily but lost all of its top order batsmen in quick succession, bowling figures for Gavin at one point of 4overs, 6 runs and 4 wickets says it all. Still with dismantled batting NWCC managed 180 runs in 30 overs with the help of wagging tail, quick outfield and occasional sloppy fielding .
After much awaited impressive bowling, MCC gelled well under the tent without a key adhesive Nish who was waiting for Brian at the pitch. The show started as scheduled and this time it was Roberto who got the front most seat at Zafar IMAX. Together they put up an opening stand of 122 runs in 11 overs. Roberto played all his shots with steady straight bat and supported with valuable 13 runs in the opening stand. We also discovered one of the most prolific features of Roberto s cricketing talent and it was his running between the wickets, Zafar called it a silent killer after the match. After fall of two wickets on 122, older khan of MCC joined Zafar and together they finished it with a 61 run partnership.
For the second time in the league Zafar made a century and it was in mere 53 balls (20x4 and 2x6). Making mockery of the supposedly the best bowling line up of OCL and ensuring none of his valuable team members getting sun burns, Zafar along with Gavin are my round 7 MVPs .