Game 6 v Jain International Residential School (JIRS)
Today we had to travel by bus 40km out of Bangalore which took us an hour and a half from our hotel. When we arrived at our venue of Jain International Residential School we were impressed by the school's grounds and striking buildings that included a small golf course, sealed tennis courts, 4 football fields which were like carpet in appearance, there was a 50m Olympic swimming pool, diving pool, a collesium that had 5 basketball courts, equestrian centre, squash courts and a cricket field with tiered seating, large boundaries, a grandstand and pavilion. The school is co-ed and has 700 students who, along with staff, all live on site.
The pitch was hard and flat so Tom O'Connor upon winning the toss had no hesitation in deciding to bat first. Openers Charles Parker and Bryn Wilson started positively putting on 51 for the first wicket off 13 overs. Bryn was unluckily dismissed having stood on his stumps while dispatching the ball to the mid wicket boundary. Charles (64 off 92 balls) and Mason Hughes put on 73 for the second wicket through risk free and intelligent batting. When Charles departed, Floyd na Nagara joined Mason in another 51 run partnership. Mason was caught behind for 67 runs off 87 balls backing up his long innings from yesterday. All the batsman showed impressive composure given the fact that the game was being played in intense heat with high humidity. Floyd na Nagara (22), Hugh Symes (15) and Thomas Walshe (14) then guided the team to a healthy 220 for 7 in the allotted 50 overs.
After a vegetarian lunch as no meat is permitted at the school, JIRS got off to a fast start putting on 36 runs in quick time. However, the introduction of Floyd na Nagara and James Stratton slowed the run-rate, creating pressure and it was James who took the first wicket from a sharp catch taken by Mason Hughes in the gully. JIRS followed this with a 72 run second wicket partnership by collecting runs rather than dominating. The school was starting to create scoreboard pressure, but JIRS responded by being more aggressive with their batting and running between the wickets. Harry Wenham was able to snare two more wickets and the bowling of Ben O'Connor was tidy, but three meaningful partnerships by JIRS guided them to a comfortable six wicket victory. Their opening batsman batted right through the innings and was able to bring up a well-deserved unbeaten century. The school was left to rue a couple of missed chances in the field and some inconsistent bowling.
- Mr Paul Gibbs, Manager
