Kudos to Raj for writing this wonderful article.
This was the 7th and the last match of the first round of the league in our group. All team members were determined to ensure that we get all 7 wins and to be the top most team in our group. Everybody was aware that if we don't win this game then Mavericks will be the top in the group. The climatic condition was little cloudy with some overnight showers. Pranai went for the toss and as usual we again lost the toss but to everybody's surprise, we were asked to bat first.
Pranav and Piyush Jain started the opening batting but we lost the first wicket quickly in the form of Piyush. Sankar was send as first down batsman but he also couldn't do much and go out cheaply. Raj was send as second down batsman and he started stabilizing the batting with Pranav by consistently taking singles and doubles.At the end of 10 overs, Hawkes were 39 for the loss of two wickets.
It was time to accelerate the run rate and in order to accelerate, Pranav lost his wicket in the form of very good catch by bowler. Pranai was the next batsman who also got out cheaply with a very good catch at short leg. Ravin came as next batsman and he also got out quickly in order to increase the run rate. We lost 3 wickets in quick succession and it was time to again come back to game. Then came Vinod and he started rotating along with Raj.
The score was 64 runs at the end of 16 overs and the big hits were needed to reach decent score. Vinod & Raj tried to hit big shots but missed most of the time as Daakus bowled good line and length and didn't gave any short balls. In the 18th over Vinod managed to hit 2 big shots and Hawkes managed to get 84 at the end of 20 overs.
It was the bowling time for Hawkes and Pranai started brilliantly with made in wicket over. Vinod bowled the second over and got the second break. At the end of 4 overs, Daakus were 8 for 2 wickets. Don and Raj started after 4th over and Raj got the 3rd wicket on his very first ball. Daakus were struggling to increase the run rate and were 21 after 8 overs. Piyush Yadav and Piyush Jain bowled very tight bowling and gave only 3 runs each in their spell of 4 overs. Mayank from Daakus started increasing the run rate with a boundary and was looking little threat but at the right time, a full toss ball from Don surprised him and he got bowled out.
Now at this point Daakus lost all their hope and started playing very slowly. Pranai and Vinod finished their remaining spell and Vinod got 2 wickets in the due course. After 19 overs, Daakus needed 30 runs to win and on public demand Purab bowled the last over and finished the game by giving 1 run and getting 1 wicket in his last over.
Hawkes managed to register all the 7 wins and topped in the group.
Raj was awarded man of the match for his battting (32 runs) & bowling (2 wickets) and Vinod was awarded player of the week.
Match Highlights -
* Raj playing well established inning with 32 runs
* Vinod playing an attacking inning with one six and one four
* Ravin changing a six to a 2 runs with great fielding effort.
-written by Raj Pasi-
