Match Report: M2 vs SCC Panthers

By Naveen Veeravalli

M2 won by 4 wickets and got 9 points.(but the website says we got only 8points..Sri should be able to tell us the reason)

SCC batted 1st and were allout for 132 in 27.2 overs.

Naveen and Siddharth started off with a good opening spell picking up the top 3 batsman within 4overs.

Then, SCC tried to steady the ship for a while but Manoj gave a crucial breakthrough when the batsmen were well settled and looked dangerous.

After the drinks break, our spinners vijay and ramji, and "don't know which category" bowler Sri provided breakthroughs at regular intervals and finished off the rest of their line-up with ease by taking 1,3 and 2 wickets respectively.

M2 chased the total in 21.5overs with 4wickets remaining.

Ganesh( 56 off 58 balls) provided a brilliant start with some excellent cover drives and made sure the team was in safe position before he got out towards the end.

Siddarth and Kiran played good supportive roles around Ganesh and rotated the strike well in the middle overs.

Highlight of the day was 5 (official)+1-n-half (unofficial) dismissals by Kiran as the wicket keeper. We could actually add one more dismissal to his name where he dismissed the umpires decision with a few good words and was almost sent off the field for his friendly gestures. :)

Batting Highlights:

Ganesh : 56(58 balls, 7*4s)

Siddarth : 18(25balls, 2*4s)

Kiran : 18 n.o.(16 balls, 2*4s)



Bowling Highlights:

Siddarth: 3-1-10-2

Sri : 6-1-26-2

Ramji : 4-0-26-3



Fielding:

Anshul n Naveen: 1 catch each

Kiran : 4 catches, 1Stumping



1...2...3...Go MARINA!!!!!!!!!

Match Report: M3 beats Wanderers by 10 runs.

Report by Arun Bhaskar

Tasting Success Early

M3 broke the shackles of the past of winning much later at the start of the year and registering its first win in its 2nd game of the season. After a tough and hard fought 1st game of the season the entire team put in a committed and hard fight to win the game and sure this is the first of many successes to come for the season ahead.



The match started with the now regular routine of players coming in LATE .... adding to the worries that Akshay was stuck at office and a doubtful starter for the game. Shaan who was leading the team in his absence started on a positive note by winning the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat with the sweltering heat likely to take a toll on the opposition. The batting was opened by Mani Bhatt and Rishabh and for the 2nd time in as many matches the opening stand didn’t put up a big partnership with Mani dismissed by a nick in the slips of a good outswinging delivery. Sridhar Sesham was sent up the order considering this was his home ground and had good outings at this venue in the past. Rishabh was positive in his stroke play from the start and played some delightful drives, cuts and Sridhar gave him ample support and the duo started to build a good solid partnership. The scoreboard kept tickling along at a very good rate with boundaries, coupled with 1’s and 2’s and compliments of wides from the opposition bowler. The 50 of the innings was notched up in the 8th over and the partnership looked solid before the odds went against Sridhar’s consistency of getting rapped (do take note guys – that’s Rapped n not Raped) on the pads. He got a ball that kept straight and low and the umpire had no hesitation in declaring him out plumb before the wicket. The good partnership of 60 between Sridhar and Rishabh in about 9 overs was a good platform for Arun to walk to the centre. He opened his account with a fierce stroked boundary over point from the 2nd ball he faced and things looked ominous for the opposition. But Rishabh got out (for a well made 31) trying to drive a ball out of the park only to be holed up at long-on. Amit Bansal and it was now up to the AB’s in the middle to build on the foundation and build a tall score. But then the weather turned murky and the rains started to pelt down and the players were rushed in. Luckily the rains didn’t’ last more than 20 minutes and the covers (surprising) at Fernvale ensured the pitch & bowling run up were dry and play was ready to resume with the match now reduced to 27 overs per side.



Arun started positively after the game when trying to play his natural aggressive stroke play and clubbing the ball to the boundaries for 4’s and 6’s but was tentative while trying to play defensive. Bansal meanwhile was getting himself settled in and mixing up with 1’s, 2’s and the odd boundary. The score board tickled along to about 120 in 22 overs and the noise from the benches got louder stating we needed a score of about 170 to 180 in the stipulated overs. Arun tried to use the long handle to score some big rungs only to hole up to deep mid-wicket after scoring 35. Raj then strode to the centre and started meddling the ball for 1’s and some well run 2’s whilst Bansal was timing the ball superbly for some wonderful boundaries. The score reached 150 with 2 overs to go and Raj got out trying to accelerate the runs and in walked in Surprise, Surprise Akki. Well he made it to the ground and to be a part of the team and lead from the front. Bansal the ‘Finisher’ belted the last 2 overs for plenty of runs including a superlative drive on the off for 4 and a big whack over long on for 6. Akki not wanting to be left behind on the batting front got in the thick of things with a huge 6 over midwicket of the last ball of the innings. The score card read a very healthy 176 for 5 after 27 overs and Bansal yet again remained unbeaten for a well compiled 46.



Pathak and Shaan opened the bowling and stuck to a good line that got the batsmen defend but any err in length resulted in boundaries being scored. Adding to the woes was the left-right batting combination that meant constant change in field placements, change of line and for a fair part of the first 8 odd overs the batsmen dominating the proceedings. The score at the end of 8 overs was about 60 odd for no loss and Akki brought himself on and immediately stuck to an immaculate line and struck the 1st blow with a rising ball that got the batsman hopping and the ball scooping in the air of the glove to Sridhar at gully. Akki struck soon again with the other opener sky-ing one to Naman in the deep who took a well-judged catch. Mani Bhatt was bowling a very tight line and soon got rewarded with batsman no. 3 hitting the ball in the air to Ritesh at deep mid-off. The fall of wickets kept a check on the runs being scored and adding to the pressure was some good tight and committed fielding. Ritesh bowled the last over before drinks and conceded a boundary of the last ball for the score to read 85 for 3 in 14 overs. The opponents needed 90 odd runs of 13 overs and the batsmen needed some big overs and had to take chances to score. Naman was brought into the attack and almost got rewarded a wicket of the 1st ball unable to latch on to a return catch, the rare blemish from him that day. Pathak struck from one with a quick wicket after the drinks and Naman kept pegging away with a tight line and keeping a check on the runs. The pressure was mounting on the batsmen and despite scoring a few boundaries they lost their way trying to keep up to the required rate and lost wickets at regular intervals. The equation got from needing 70 runs in 10 overs, 44 in 6 overs, 30 in 3 overs and finally to 18 runs off the final over. Akki bowled the last over and we couldn’t have asked a better start with his first 4 balls going for just 1 run and this followed by a 2 leaving 15 required off the last ball and the game in M3’s clasp unless something untoward happened. The last ball saw the batsmen drive for a single to long-on and then Akki trying to finish the match with a bang aimed at running out the batsmen at the striker end and there was no one backing his throw and ended up in 4 overthrows. The result was however that M3 won by 10 runs, a well deserved victory – and a thorough team effort. Naman’s spell of 5 overs for 25 and picking up 3 wickets was stand out amongst the bowlers.





LESSONS LEARNED

Batting saw 2 key partnerships at the top and this is vital for us to post a decent score in every game.

Fielding was good but I’d say there is room for improvement on the aspects of backing up throws and also estimating when to attack the ball and when to cautiously stay behind the ball.

Bowling was disciplined and the area that needs to be curtailed is bowling short of length on wickets that are slow and giving a chance to be hit for boundaries.

Also the number of wides needs to be reduced and for this request the bowlers to focus on bowling to one side of the wicket.





SPECIAL MENTION

MOHIT - For demonstrating great character (a must for every Marinoid) and giving his best on the field as a substitute and throwing himself around & saving some vital runs. This I mention especially since he was in the original scheme of things (playing XI) and was left out to accommodate the right combination for the game.

VISHESH & SUHAS - Kudos and accolades to for being present at the ground and cheering, supporting the team.

Mohit, Suhas and Vishesh – You demonstrated the true spirit of TEAMSMANSHIP and what should be done naturally by every member of the team even if you aren’t in the playing XI.





POINTS TO PONDER OVER:

I’d like to end this note on a very staunch note in terms of PUNCTUALITY. Enough has been said about this time and again and it's time each of us shows the sense of responsibility, urgency and commitment each of us have and arrive at the ground much before time if not on time. Let the tensions not rise even before the game begins as there is enough of that for us to tackle on the field with the opposition.



Finally I want to state that Cricket is a team sport and one must learn to be a part of the team and not ONLY IF you are in the playing XI – it’s the bonding of all the individuals together that spells success and I request each one of you to be at the ground and support the team, even if you’re not figuring in the XI.

M3 vs MUCC - M3 lost by 6 wickets

Report by Mohit Gupta

At last the M3 season starts. The weather was fantastic and the turf city ground never looked better. Almost everyone was on the ground at time and the day started by the distribution of new Marina team clothes (used by m2 and m3).

Team: Akki (captain), Shantanu, Arun, Amit Pathak, Vivek Chopra, Amit Bansal, Raj, Mani Bhat, Rishab, Sridhar, Ritesh Mohit.



Ritesh was all set to make his debut for M3...but he picked up some shoulder injury last minute and Mohit took his place. But Ritesh was game enough to be the scorer for the match.

Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future.

A glorious atypical Singapore hot weather for start of the season, Marina played first game against MUCC, champions of last year 4^th league. Marina won the Toss and captain Akki chose bat first.

1^st Innings

150 is suppose to be a good score to defend on Turf city ground. Openers Manni and Rishab were asked to play steady and defend first few overs as MUCC has good bowling attack. Couple of extras came in first over, both the openers were playing confidently and scoring singles, but one wrong shot by Rishabh and he got caught out on midwicket. Arun went one down and scored first boundry of the game, extras were coming continuously, score was moving. Aruns scored 19 runs but one cross batted shot and catch to point fielder. Chopra next batsman hited a high Six (Just like Yuvraj was hitting in NZ), he scored 30r runs but missed a straight the ball and got bowled out. Now Bansal and Manni were on the creas, Mani who was standing like an anchor for Marina, scored 11 runs and got bowled out. Score was 73 for 4 in 13 overs, it was not a bad start and what was needed a good partnership, Raj and Bansal were on the crease and playing defensive. 5 runs came in next 4 overs, which was ok because we wanted to stop fall of wicket, Raj scored 13 runs in a single over and marina was back on track. Tight bowling fielding attack by MUCC and they keep getting wkts, Marina was suppose to hold the situation and try to play all the overs but regular fall of wkts and Marina managed to set target of 126 runs, definitely 20-30 runs short of what Marina had thought of.

2^nd Innings

By keeping the target in mind only chance for marina to win keep taking the wickets, Good start by both opening bowler Pathak and Shan, good length, outside the off stump bowling attack and we got success in 2^nd over by Shan. Perfact use of new ball Batsman was not able to touch Amit’s bowl and another wkt for Marina in 3^rd over by shan. Opener bowler restricted MUCC, rare chances were given to score runs. New bowler Mohit was given opportunity and got success in his 2^nd over by a splendid catch by Pathak, in the next over Manni bowled out another good batman of MUCC. Score was 57 for 4 in MUCC. It was the ideal start as we planned early wickets and tight bowling.

After having Samosa and tea in lunch break, Marina’s efforts had come down in next session of the game, I wouldn’t really blame Samosa but Singapore’s heat played major role (This is the part where we all need to work specially me to get use to this weather for 30 overs match). Match equation was MUCC requires 69 runs in 15 and 6 wkts in hand. It was still a challenge for Marina. Pathak was again put on attack, another good spell by Amit but unfortunately clear chance to catch and simple run out was missed and MUCC keep scoring the runs, spin and slow bowling attack was put by captain but no success. Shan was called to use his experience when Only 24 runs were required in 8 overs but Marina was generous to giving lives to MUCC in the dying movements. But MUCC had the last laugh and Maina lost the game by 6 wkts.

A few more catches taken, a few more cleanly fielded balls, a few more
tighter overs bowled and it could have been very different. A lot of ifs. I
enjoyed the game and look forward to the next one.

*Lessons learned:*

1. MUCC are a good side and they put the pressure on and executed on their
game plan when it was required. They kept to the basics and made us work for our runs.

2. Batting - All the top order batsmen got off to a start, but no one carried on from there. The highest partnership was of 30 and we need to improve on this. The last 6 marina wickets fell for mere 18 runs. We have to watchout for this kind of collapse.

3. Bowling - Bowling was generally good baring a rare bad day from skipper.

4. Fielding - *catches win matches* We did not support the bowlers with fielding and put any pressure on the batting team.

5. Fitness - This being the first match of the season...we seemed a bit out of touch with the heat etc. This is something that an individual needs to look into themselves and be prepared (have food, fluids etc). The first half or the season will be always like this.

*On the balance of things a good days cricket, played under a good competitive atmosphere and the team that batted, bowled and fielded the best won the game.

SCORESHEETS

Batting

	Batsman	4s	6s	How Out	Score	Balls Faced
1	Mani Bhat	0	0	Bowled	11	21
2	Rishab Bhurat	0	0	Ct @ Short Midwicket	3	4
3	Arun Bhaskar	3	0	Ct @ Point	19	17
4	Vivek Chopra	1	1	Bowled	20	22
5	Amit Bansal	0	0	Ct Behind	17	38
6	Rajkishore Patel	2	0	Bowled	18	30
7	Akshay Sharma	0	0	Ct	9	12
8	Sridhar Shesham	0	0	Ct @ Midwicket	3	5
9	Shantanu Bhadury	0	0	Ct @ Mid Off	3	6
10	Amit Pathak	0	0	Not Out	0	4
11	Mohit Gupta	0	0	Runout	0	0

Bowling

	Bowler	Wides	No Balls	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
1	Amit Pathak	2	0	6	0	12	1
2	Shantanu Bhadury	2	0	5.4	0	30	1
3	Akshay Sharma	2	0	4	0	32	0
4	Mohit Gupta	6	0	5	0	16	1
5	Mani Bhat	4	0	2	1	9	1
6	Sridhar Shesham	3	0	2	0	14	0
7	Amit Bansal	4	0	1	0	9	0