As Hasan’s first match as match manager he did a cracking job… one false cancellation and two loan players later the game was on.

With us already indebted to the opposition Toobes decided to ignore the coin toss and let them bowl first. And so it was the time of the Amit’s. After much confusion with the scorer as to who was the better Amit, Amit S decided to face the first ball.

Quickly the runs started flowing and the Amit’s were looking strong. But it wasn’t long before the scorer learned who was the lesser Amit, with a difficult ball onto the pads Amit S had no choice but to walk off.

And so next up, Jim. With strong words of “stay out there” by the captain he took up stance and as always started swinging a little too keenly. But no matter he had the better Amit to rely on. Before long Amit was in the swing of things knocking balls all over the field racking up our runs almost as fast as the oppo’s extras. Jim, with some wise words from Amit, quickly decided to stop swinging like a wild ape and let Amit do the work. Before long Amit made a truly classy 50.

However, with the lesser Amit umpiring at the other end and possibly still regretting not taking full advantage of the beautiful batting conditions an unfortunate lbw brought an end to Amit’s run.

Ali decided to join the party and follow in Amit’s inspiring innings. Knocking several boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking over at a great rate, almost as if he didn’t like running the singles… Jim decided to again let the other batsman keep the run rate up and continue at his slow and steady pace. Finally learning the skill of leaving the good balls and knocking the bad ones for boundaries. To the dismay of the crowd he did not decide to face the difficult opener at the end and Ali heroically took him on until a mighty ball on the pads again had a Peli walking off.

With the last over up it was all eyes on Jim, could he make his first 100? No. Knowing he’d lost his chance he let our superb loan player Mehul knock a great effort of 11 runs on the last over before a top edge and caught in the slips ended the a great batting performance by the Pelis. A daunting score of 286 for the oppo to chase.

With our own teas taken care of it was time for the bowlers to show their worth. An excellent spell from both Hasan and JG kept the batsmen on edge, but neither getting any luck. Hasan even made a superb and for all of us a blindingly obvious runout, only for the umpire not to give it on the grounds of ‘the batsman was in the way I couldn’t see’. Don’t worry Hasan you will eventually contribute to the game. The captain decided to take things in his own hands and have a go.

Deciding that short and wide was the obvious technique. With the opening batsman bewildered with the luck off the first ball decided to take the opportunity… passing it so kindly to the safe hands of the better Amit. Toobes further continued with the great work and took the next batsman with a superb lbw getting us 2 down.

Knowing his work was done it was time Toobes decided to bring on Vrishab. With an excellent spell of bowling the batsman were scared. Quickly deciding to toss a ball straight up and to our other loan player, Sid. Off goes the third batsman. But Vrishab wasn’t finished, soon following up with an another quality out swinger edged to keeper. Now was the turn of Niron. First coming down the hill he played to his field perfectly. Soon forcing the batsman into a poor shot to square leg where a man, still dreaming of his own batting performance, quickly woke up and chased it down. Only to drop it in his usual style, good thing this man bought Niron a pint just an hour before. Niron deciding to remove umpires and fielders from the equation clean bowled the batsman and had him packing his bags.

Next up was our loaned player Sid, after performing excellently in the field the Captain kindly put him in to bowl. Sid instantly filling us with confidence when he kept shouting “put your helmet on!” to the batsman. Turns out he didn’t need a helmet but a foot stool to reach the ball. But this is the great thing with village cricket, everyone gets to play and Sid still produced some excellent balls once the height was fixed. Vrishab wasn’t finished and with the request to change ends down the hill took another great wicket with a catch to the lesser Amit. He almost achieved the better Amit status! Almost.

It was time for the opening bowlers to come back. Hasan finally it was your time, finally you contributed to the game! Coming back on to finish off it wasn’t long before a quick ball allowed the ever impressive Vrishab to take a catch, 7 down! JG wanted in on some of the fun and quickly followed taking an excellent clean bowled wicket that was just too good to touch. Hasan though, wasn’t finished and with the end in sight produced another difficult ball allowing the batsman to hit straight to the safe hands of Ali.

Finally one more wicket to come and with the pressure ramping up to hit the bar early the lesser Amit decided enough was enough after a poor shot off Has’ bowling a quick pick up and very gentle underarm to the stumps had the last man walking. An excellent performance from the Pelis to round off a demanding win.

A special thanks to the oppo who year on year are a great sport and without their kind donation of players we wouldn’t have played. Also a shoutout to Vrshab who put on an excellent performance of class bowling and showing the Pelis are in safe hands in the future! And lastly, as I get to write the match report I also want to pass a special thanks to the better Amit who managed to keep a very keen and excitable child level headed to achieve his best score while also putting on a fantastic performance to take his own personal best at the Pelis. Great game chaps, onto the
next!

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Reports are intended to convey an entertaining picture of the day’s play. No disrespect is meant, but if on occasion we misjudge matters, please take it in the friendly and humorous spirit in which it is intended.