My Best Bowling performance and Shravan's blitz

It was a long week end and I spent two days in cricket. Two one sided matches, which we lost one and won the other.

Saturday, I went to a place called Corbridge to play for Corbridge cricket club, which is one of the oldest clubs in Northumberland..founded in 1886, it has got rich traditions. Many cricketing greats have played on this ground that includes one of the greatest English test player ever..WG Grace.. he has made more than 50,000 runs in first class cricket and a little matter of 2000 plus wickets.

Coming to the match, we fielded first and saw the batsman showing us all the shots in the book, made us run behind the ball and made 200 runs in their 40 over. Needing 201 runs, our openers started cautiously...er...too cautiously making 51 runs in 20 overs. When I went in at number 4, we required 150 runs from 20 overs.. I managed eight runs (2X4) and skied one to midwicket attempting my third boundary. Finally we managed only 113 runs in our 40 overs. A one sided match, in which I was in the wrong side.

Sunday, we played a match for Genetics, my home club, against Eglingham cricket club. They travelled more than 50 miles to come to our place. After the thrashing on saturday, I know that things cannot get worse for me, it can only get better and in fact it did! we bowled first and I came in as the first change bowler.I was a bit wayward initially, was lucky that they were defended and finally got my rhythm going. We restricted the opponents to mere 140 in 40 overs and I finished my bowling with 6-4-9-1. eight runs were scored off my second over. I have never bowled four maidens in my life and three of them were consecutive. Yateen bowled well in the slog and took a magnificent return catch which was hit quite hard at him.. that was easily the worst ball he bowled, but compensated with a great catch..

I know that we only need to stay in there to get the runs. I was due at number 7 and was relaxing in the scorers room. Shravan went in at number 4 when we required 50 runs off more than 20 overs. He struck a wonderful 31 with more than run a ball to see us home with 15 overs to spare. He hit a six over square leg and a gorgeous back foot cover drive through the extra cover. Wonderful performance indeed! but its a shame that he couldn’t stay till the end !!