Match Report - Game 8 v Nalanda College
Disappointment that the
Psara International Stadium was unavailable due to inclement weather in the
lead up to the game was quickly forgotten when the team saw the boutique nature
of the replacement Moors Cricket Ground, itself a first class cricket venue.
The day dawned cloudy but incredibly humid and
in the lead up to the game persistent drizzle meant a delayed start. Our
opposition school is a single sex boys’ school of over 5000 students. They
proudly boast a number of former Sri Lankan international cricketers including
Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Dharmasena, Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurusinghe and
Gaminin Wickramasinghe.
The match was eventually reduced to 30 overs per
side fixture. At the toss Nalanda College decided to bat first and they were
aggressive from the get go. Despite the fall of regular early wickets they
continued to play their shots. One of the 6's that was hit out of the ground
almost required us to hire a tuk-tuk to retrieve it. Nalanda found themselves
50 for 4 off 11 overs with Jack Harris and Bradley Fulton picking up a wicket
each and miserly Isaac Harris (captain for the day) grabbing two. Our
opposition continued the onslaught putting on a partnership of 72 in 8
punishing overs. Once this partnership was broken wickets again began to fall
regularly as the Nalanda side continued their aggressive approach. Charles
Parker grabbed two stunning catches in these middle overs, one was an overhead
backwards running catch and the other a diving one handed effort. Our
opposition were eventually bowled out for a very respectable 192. Isaac
returned the figures of the day with 2 for 6 of 4 overs, James Stratton claimed
2 for 29 and Bradley Fulton 2 for 41.
The school's run chase began disastrously with
the loss of two cheap wickets and the score slumped to 1 for 2. Hugh Symes (13)
was joined by Tom O'Connor in a partnership which yielded 65 runs in 11 overs.
Tom scored a hard hit 55 off 52 balls including 5 fours and 3 sixes. With the
score at 86 for 4 up stepped Charles Parker to play one of the innings of the
tour. Charles blasted a swashbuckling 57 runs off 30 balls including 2 fours
and 6 sixes. When Charles was dismissed the team required a further 25 runs off
23 balls with 2 wickets in hand. Unfortunately the innings was prematurely
wrapped up for the addition of only 4 more runs. Despite the 20 run loss the
school made may friends today. Their end of match Haka was welcomed by a
knowledgeable audience. The Nalanda coaching staff made it very clear that the
school was welcome back any time which is the best accolade a touring team
could get.
- Mr Paul Gibbs, Manager
