Match Report by Ravi - JECC vs Crescent, 08/17/2014 @ Woodbrook School

Match Report by

Ravi Suri

Batting first, Crescent were all out for 247 in 38 overs. JECC chased down the target in 39.3 overs with 3 wickets in hand.

Scorecard: http://www.dreamcricket.com/clnj/scorecarddisplay.aspx?gameid=8737

We won a few close ones, I can recall Middlesex where Chinmay and Avi played terrific cricket, Venki against Miracle, Dilip’s bowling against Indus. This game against Crescent was a team effort and a perfect run chase. The best aspect of this game for me was the ‘never say die” ATTITUDE of JECC. 

We showed this spirt against HCC the last game where Dilip dint allow shoulders to droop and led the team well in a loss. This game too we were up against it. But for a let off of frustration where Dilip and I disagreed over the distance between batsman and slip fielder (lot of heat got generated) the emotions were kept in control.

Toss: We lost the toss and Crescent opted to bat.

Bowling:

They opened with Salim Bhai and a Sri Lankan batsman about whom Dhanu cautioned us saying he is a big hitter. The caution was taken lightly and what followed was an eye opener. First ball from Venki the SL batsman stepped out nonchalantly and hit him for a big six over midwicket. That shot signaled big trouble given that it was the first ball of the game. Next ball Venki held it back and the batsmen went for a wild slog and skied it to mid-wicket. Dilip was probably not prepared for such a poor shot and tried his best to get under the skier, but was a few yards away. To prove that was a costly escape, the batsman hit the next ball for another six.

Sid came in next over and got Salim bhai out first ball. Another SL batsmen a left hander replaced Salim Bhai, and he was struggling initially. The left hander escaped a close LBW shout and when the right handed SL batsman faced Sid, the mid-wicket fielder Venk was moved a few yards to his left. The very next ball was swung hard and straight to Venk on the mid-wicket fence. A foot either side of Venki was six, the ball went straight to Venk who could not close the deal. 

We immediately felt this was going to be a tough day. After that let up both batsmen scored freely particularly the big hitter was bashing us all round the park. They were scoring minimum 7 to 8 runs an over and never allowed any bowler to settle down. Sid was bowling extremely well with no luck, beating the bat and finding catches going in no man’s land. Ron was brought in but was hammered like all other bowlers. 

Dilip came in and we thought we had the first break when the hard hitter hit Dilip to mid-wicket boundary where Ron took a great catch, only to be adjudged he was an inch outside the line and the umpire declaring it a six. Parallax error made it look like he was within the boundary. Finally we take a catch and see the umpire declaring it a six. We were just about to hit boiling point when Dilip had the hard hitter play in the air again to mid-wicket. This time Ron ran a few yards in and took a brilliant catch. Ron was tested twice in two balls and took both catches extremely well. Dilip bowled a brilliant spell to give us hope in the game again. 

Crescent was 140 for 2 off 21 overs at this stage and we were looking at the barrel.  Just as we were thinking we got their best man out, in walked Basit. We had not seen him before and had no idea of his batsmanship. The first ball he faced he flicked over midwicket for 2, next ball he rolled his wrists to send the ball flying to deep midwicket, and followed it up with a lofted shot for six over long off. All three shots were breath taking, out of the world and depressing for a team who were already “Jayasuryad”.

We were wondering what is in store for us, Crescent was looking at 300 or more at this stage. Dilip our talisman for past few games, did the trick again. Albeit this time the big palms of Sid played a crucial role. Dilip pitched one short, Basit bashed it with brute power, the ball was flying to mid-wicket region, Sid stuck his hands out, the ball caught his right hand and Basit was left in disbelief. The wicket and outfield and the start Crescent got combined to continue the pressure on us. 

Venki bowled a good second spell, Dilip rotated his bowlers, bowled a terrific spell himself. The fielders were giving in their best and overall we did a great job despite the odds to restrict Crescent to 247. We delayed the bowling power play to end and this strategy paid off. I don’t know what made Dilip delay this but end of the day this delay in bowling power play meant the batting team had to take both the power-plays together and could not sustain the momentum.

Manoj fielded well, bowled spiritedly got us a wicket when needed, Ron was brilliant with those two catches, Naga was awesome behind the stumps, a very smart stumping. Sid took a blinder of a catch. Dilip bowled a spell which kept us in the game, Venki was good in second spell.

Batting: Chasing 248 to win is a daunting task. We set about it without any pre conceived notions. Dhanu and I opened and told ourselves we need to repeat the HCC opening stand. The first over I faced was useful and the bowler bowled 2 wides one of which went to the boundary. Rest of the over helped me get my eye in. I took a single of the last ball and was facing a Sri Lankan bowler with a Malinga action. 

Dhanu told me this guy was very quick and I should watch out. The first ball he bowled was pitched on my legs and I was able to flick to get 2 runs, next ball he pitched short I pulled for four, next ball I nicked to be dropped by the keeper a tough one between him and slip. Next ball was pitched up and I lofted it over cover for six, next ball I skied to cover for the fielder to miss-judge. But overall in that over we got 12 runs and more over I was timing it very well. We were 20 for none in 2 overs an ideal start. From thereon I went on to play my best innings for JECC scoring 41 the best of my shots being the square cut for six. Almost everyone who went to bat hit a MEMORABLE shot, shots to really remember for the season. Dhanu got out soon and Ananth joined me. After a repair job I got run out to a call fully my fault. There was no second run in it and I ran without thinking a direct hit made matters worse. At drinks we were 89 for 2 off 14 overs.

Ananth was in full flow by then, he was joined by Naga. The best part of our chase was we dint allow double breaks and we ensured partnerships kept us going. Naga played a very matured innings and got his singles doubles and the boundaries. Meantime Ananth was unleashing his stroke play. The trade mark shots of Ananth were in full bloom. Probably the shot of the season was the flat drive to square point area, a flat six off a left arm spinner. I find no words to do justice to this shot, so will just say that those who dint see that shot missed something. Shots like these have a telling effect on the fielding team. The bowler loses focus and will never be the same again.

I have been screaming my head off about game awareness in my past few reports. All the batsmen on show today displayed a great sense of game awareness. Naga was brilliant in his support of Ananth, I took a support role moment I saw Ananth becoming the aggressor, I was the aggressor till Ananth got in his flow. Similarly Dilip played support before taking lead role, so did Sid and as did Naga.

Ananth got out against the run of play and Sid replaced him. Ananath scored 55 some of the shots were stunning and one of them is for this season’s memory. Naga took the lead role and hit some lusty blows an on drive being the stand out shot. There was so much power and timing in that shot that the long on fiddler had to just move 5 yards to save the boundary, he could hardly cover two yards. Naga –Sid partnership was perfectly paced, Naga got out to Salim Bhai after hitting a brilliant boundary to long off, he stepped out to be bowled.

Dilip joined Sid and two played sensibly. Sid ensured we were striking at about 6 runs an over. There were not too many wides bowled, the bowling was pretty disciplined and fielding was good. Sid hit some lusty blows in scoring 32 before getting caught. Dilip was all along his cool self and despite not connecting the first 3 to 5 balls he faced, Dilip hardly showed any nerves. Hari replaced Sid and we still needed 65 runs from the lower order in about 9 overs. That’s a steep chase, but captain cool, was getting into his stride. Hari and Dilip added 18 runs in no time, after which Hari got out. 

A match winner in ability, spirit and commitment; Venki replaced Hari. Dilip by this time was controlling the innings, an effortless lofted shot over cover for six added to the day’s memorable shots. This shot again like Ananth’s shot punctured the flow of the opponent. Trust me it is moments like these which take the wind out of the sail on an opponent. We were smelling victory with 35 from 24 balls required. Venki was looking like sealing the deal when he got a ball to bounce to shoe lace height and was bowled. We were reaching a make or break situation when Jairam joined Dilip. 

First ball Jairam faced was past his bat before the blink of an eye. Next ball was smashed for four to point. Equation was brought down to 24 from 18, an IPL like situation was developing. Come the tough time, the tough get going; Dilip hit two boundaries in the 38^th over to bring the equation to 13 off 12 balls.  Next over Dilip was at it again and hit a boundary to bring the equation to 8 off 9 balls, the first time in the game the runs and balls equation was in favor. Some smart running and lusty blows along with calm heads brought the equation to 2 runs of six balls. Jai and Dilip finished the game, with Dilip hitting a boundary to finish the game in style. 

A chase which swelled every JECC member’s chest swell with Pride. A word of appreciation for Jai he went in high pressure situation his keeping was not upto scratch today, he dint live up to his batting hype last two games, bit cometh the hour, cometh the man!! He gave valuable support o Dilip when the real deal was on!!! Great win team, proud of you!!  Every one played with heart and mind in sync.

Emotions run high on such a run chase. First we are bashed all-round the park, then we have the kick of bashing the opponent> the game goes about at a break neck speed. You don’t have time to think about the previous ball or shot or wicket. Both teams need to be on top of their respective game(s). The team which plays better over the entire duration of 80 overs wins. It was heartening to see us bowl fewer wides. It was a great feeling to see all our batsmen apply themselves and at same time score at required rate. The quality of cricket was terrific, honestly and without bias I can say the stroke play from our batsmen today was mind blowing. So many high quality shots were played, some of the very best this season. The wicket was a beauty to play on and no wonder we saw such good cricket. This win bodes well for our play off’s, going into the crunch games on a high is a great feeling.

Till we meet again,   Cheers!! 

Match Report by Ravi - JECC vs HCC 08/10/14 @ Mercer County Park

Match Report by

Ravi Suri

Batting first, JECC were all out for 217 in 40 overs. HCC chased the target in 36.2 overs losing only 5 wickets.

ScoreCard:http://www.dreamcricket.com/clnj/scorecarddisplay.aspx?gameid=8709

This summer has been extremely kind for cricket enthusiasts, I mean the ones who play in NJ leagues and not the ones watching Indian team put up a spineless display in England. You remove the alphabet e from spineless and even then the statement would be apt “a spinless display” our spinners can’t get a wicket and Moin Ali a non-spinner gets wickets by the buckets. In any case this is more about a NJ summer than an English summer. The temperatures have been moderate and permit a game of cricket without having to drench in sweat. We dint lose too many games to rain, the wickets too have therefore been at their best, outfields have been as good as they can be. All in all a great summer for cricket.

Toss: Dhanu stepped in for Dilip who got caught up in NJTP, we won the toss and opted to bat in ideal batting conditions.

Batting: We opened with the usual combination of Dhanu and myself. The very first ball I faced was short and I went for a pull, ball came much faster on the bat than anticipated. Immediately realized this will be a good fast and bouncy track as against the one played last week. This sort of a track is ideal for cricket and brings the best in a batsman and the bowler. We got off to a good start, Dhanu played his trademark pull, lofted drive to mid-off, over the cover. I played the pull, the lofted shot to point. The wides always help more so when we are batting it’s a great feeling to see the wide. We put on 58 in about 11 overs at which point I got out. Ananth survived a close LBW shout, Dhanu got out next over to put us in an awkward 65 for 2 from 58 for no loss. Just a word of caution / suggestion for the batting lineup. When a wicket falls try and extend the partnership for a few overs. If you get out to a good ball no complaints, but try not getting out to lose shots. My last report I wrote a lot about game awareness, which at the end of the day is the difference between winning and losing.

Would like to point something out at this stage of the report. I am saying this more because I can’t resist commenting on a good cricketing aspect. Anytime I notice something good I can’t hold back. The huddle is a recent trend in cricket, by recent I mean maybe last 10 years. Earlier days it was team meetings and discussions the day prior to the game. I have played with many captains, for many teams, and have been part of many huddles. I must say I never heard anything sensible in these huddles except the usual common boys we must fight, this is a crucial game, bowl line and length, or play your natural game blah blah. However Dilip said a few things which caught my attention and had an impact when I was batting. After the toss Dilip told the openers to play out 5 overs and not play rash shots during these 5 overs. He said as a captain he does not like to see an early wicket fall and give the momentum away. The reason I say this was a good huddle is the captain laid down a “specific” expectation. He did not generalize by saying play your natural game, get a good start etc. Rather he told that batsman what he wants off them.  

I left a lot of balls alone during my innings, we were getting about 5 runs an over, at same I was not chasing outside the off stump. So was the case with Dhanu he was also cautiously aggressive. I felt the captain’s words and setting up of expectations helped us both in the process of giving the team a good start. This apart Dilip was switched on the whole game letting batsmen and bowlers know what to do and what is expected. While fielding too when things were not going well the captain dint allow shoulders to drop. When a bowler bowled a bad ball the other members of the team let their frustration come out but Dilip was controlling his emotions lot more than others. His field placements and general handling of the team are extremely impressive. He may be naughty at times as in “colored pads saga” he may be colorful at times as in asking Ananth to umpire per “certain standards” he may chide on wides not being given but on cricketing terms I like the approach of Dilip and what little I saw of Chinmay.

Back to the game. Naga joined Ananth and played Rohit most comfortably. Of all the batsman on display Naga’s foot work and the ease with which he played Rohit was most impressive. Rohit mixed a quicker one with his looped flight and made batsmen work hard to read him. Naga was playing him effortlessly, the leg glance to fine leg was an outstanding shot. Naga’s approached rubbed off on Ananth and he started to stroke the ball brilliantly. The lofted shot for six over long off was a memorable one and a summer special so to say. The Naga-Ananth partnership was laying the opponent flat as both were well settled and taking the game away. At this point I had to give Naga LBW to a ball pitched outside the off and hitting the wickets but the point of impact was outside the off stump. Given what happed till then as in a nobe ball, the prior LBW involving Ananth I had to make a decision in favor of the bowler. I still feel terrible about it and apologized to Naga. Oh the pains of a balancing act the umpire faces in  a game!

Ananth followed Naga to the benches next over, again not respecting game awareness. When a wicket falls, try and ensure next wicket does not follow too soon. Double breaks brings the opponent back in the game with double vigor. Sid and Avi started to stitch a partnership and undo the damage. On hindsight after seeing how the game panned out, Ananth’s dismissal was the turning point of the game. Sid- Ananth combination would have been a killer for the opponent. Ananth has the capacity to clear any ground and the off side was an invitation for Ananth’s stroke play. Sid’s role being that of seeing thru the innings he played it to perfection. 

Avi took a while to settle as he was constrained by loss of Ananth right behind Naga. The spinners Ubaid and Anuj bowled brilliantly and were troubling our batsmen. They slowed it down in the air. This meant batsmen had to take chances, no short balls for the pull, no pitched up balls to drive, that meant a squeeze. From a terrific position of about 130 for 4 with 18 overs to go we were kept quiet for next 8 overs. A momentum shift was going on, only after the drinks break the shackles were broken to an extent. We lost Avi, Sid was playing extremely well with Vijay as support. Vijay is the quickest runner in the team between wickets and he was at his cheeky best. Runs started to come, but Sid got out to a shot which had six written all over it. If ever there was a shot which dint deserve losing a wicket this was it. We lost too many wickets after that and it was Dilip’s cameo which put us at 217 a very good score on whatever wicket. Dilip came in at #10 and played a lovely little innings.

Bowling:Chasing 217 is not an easy task and more so after we got the first wicket very quickly. Venky opened the bowling and got us a quick breakthrough. Their #3 batsman Anuj batted brilliantly. Sid’s pace was right up his alley. On a quick wicket if the batsman is good and particularly can play well of the back foot, it’s a huge challenge to the bowler. Anuj blasted his way to 24 in no time and by the 3^rd over Hightstown was off to a rocking start, a blast from which we almost dint recover the rest of the game. Anuj was out in most unwanted and unluckiest way for a batsman. Ubaid drove one back to the bowler, Venky got his foot in the way, the ball ricocheted off his foot and hit the stumps with Anuj a whisker away from the crease. No other umpire would have given this out and hats off the umpire Sabya on this call. We should have got back into the game from hereon but somehow the runs kept leaking. Ron was brought in and he dint show the control the required from his experience. He bowled too many boundary balls. It happens in cricket and no complaints on any bowler for that matter. 

Our bowling kept us afloat this season and there is no way one can have any complaints. Dilip bowled exceptionally on a batsmen wicket, the fielders showed a never say die attitude. End of the day Ubaid, Ranveer, Anuj played very well and were deserving winners. Ubaid was particularly on top of his game, dint give us a chance and kept the score board ticking all through. His drives were extremely well timed, had a lot of power and tested the fielders resolve to put body behind. Ranver played extremely well, made most of any bad ball. His pulls to the mid-wicket and square leg region were well timed and played in style. What was impressive was that all through the chase they dint lose focus.  They kept us on the mat and dint let their foot of the throat, which is a lesson in chasing.

Unlike the game against Barons after which I could not sleep for a whole week, I slept well last night as we lost to a worthy opponent. Barons fought well and deserved to win, but I would say we lost more than they won. Hightstown won fair and square and we were beaten by a team which batted professionally. The spirit in the game was also very good given that there was no official umpire. I loved the banter of the Hightstown team when they were batting. Some smart clichés were thrown at our fielders all in good spirit and lovely humor.

Cricket should not be boring, the fun element is as important, in fact the banter from Hightstown team helped when I fielded as there was so much humor. All in all a good game of cricket. A word on Jairam who was lively on the field, had a rocket arm and enthusiastic all thru game. Avi was kept very busy in the outfield and was very spirited all thru the game. Similarly a word on Anuj, the guy kept wickets to begin with, bowled spin in the middle overs and bowled an over of medium pace in the power play and to top it all played the innings of the day!!  

Till we all meet again, Cheers!

Ravi Suri.

Match Report by Ravi - JECC vs NJ Barons 08/03/2014 @ Woodbrook, Edison.

Match report by:
Ravi Kumar Suri

JECC lost to NJ Barons by 13 runs

ScoreCard: http://www.dreamcricket.com/clnj/scorecarddisplay.aspx?gameid=8687

A tough defeat to swallow, went to the pub to drown in some beer. We won a few games we had no business to win and lost this one we had no business to lose. That’s the way the game goes. This report is not meant to be critical of any individual or the team, please treat this report as sharing of observations meant at improving us as a unit and as individuals.

Toss:

Dilip won a good toss and we bowled first.

Bowling:

Got the first wicket in quick time but struggled to break the next partnership. Our opening bowlers have been fantastic all season and this wicket was just not conducive to their bowling style. Batting or bowling on a slow wicket is a different challenge all together and unless the cricketer be it batsman or bowler is playing to the situation he would not do well enough on this sort of a wicket. Neither Sid nor Venky could bowl to their strengths as there was no bounce or pace off the track. Dilip  a street smart cookie and observed this problem and rung in the changes soon. Chinmay I felt was well suited to this wicket and as expected bowled well. Barons were well placed at 60 for one when Ron was brought in. 

We have been searching for a spinner like water in a desert all season. Finally towards the end of the season we found Ron who bowled superbly to bring us right back in the game. I loved the loop the flight and turn he was able to get. Being literally his first or second game Ron will take some time to gain control and not bowl the odd short ball, but what we saw in his spell just lifted the spirits. A spinner is such an important cog and we din’t have one till now. Ron’s impressive bowling helped Dilip who bowled brilliantly and took 4 wickets to hasten the fall of Barons from 60 for one to 102 for nine. The spin bowling partnership was terrific and as good as put us in a winning situation. 

We let the game slip and maybe complacency set in. We could not finish off the 10^th wicket and they added 26 crucial runs. A lot of wides were bowled during this phase. If there is one complaint or frustration we all genuinely have it is the wides. It is no one particular bowler, every bowler seems guilty of this. I can see the captain tearing his hair out. I don’t know what we can do to control this. It is tragic that such a good and balanced attack is giving free runs. I urge the team to think of some way of curtailing these wides. Is a one $ penalty per wide an option, just as a deterrent, or a lap of the ground If any bowler gives more than 5 wides an option. Whatever it is the team should come up with an innovative deterrent. We dropped the odd catch and took some good ones, not much to complain about the fielding. All said and done 129 was a chase able score. I agree with Chinmay’s comment “if we were asked at the toss would we like to chase 129, all 11 of us would said a big YES”.

Batting:

Dhanu and I opened the innings. I played out a quiet over and Dhanu started with a bang. He belted the ball out of the park and were 28 for none in no time. Dhanu scored 20 of these two sixes and a four and had the fielding team at his feet. On the slow wicket Dhanu was the only batsman to play on the rise and given his exceptional talent he was able to hit good balls for fours and sixes. Exceptional talent is a double edged sword, the adrenalin at times gets the better of you. 

I would like to talk about playing the situation here. I saw an interview of Sachin sometime back and he was asked “what is the difference between a match winner and a normal player”? Sachin said something interesting he said, match winners play the situation and focus on game awareness. If we look back at the game, some of the dismissals of our batsmen showed we were not aware of the goal of the chase. The game awareness was missing. Ravi Shastri is a big proponent of % cricket. A percentage shot in cricket parlous means you will not get out 9 out of times playing that shot. Some of our batsmen missed out the point of % cricket specifically on the last ball of the over. Last ball of an over is statistically proven to be the most potent wicket taking ball. Particularly if you have smashed 10 to 14 runs in an over watch out for the last ball. So also watch out for the ball before a break. This is what cricketers who have played at the highest level and for long period’s advice. Game awareness is also about fact we were chasing 129 and not 179. Situational Analysis or Game awareness is highly critical ingredient in differentiating the MEN from the boys! Winning and losing cricket games is part of the learning process. What we learn from loses ensures we lose less. 

Anyway moving on Dilip replaced Dhanu and dint last long, he went to loft over cover and the slowness of the wicket again did him in. Jayram replaced Dilip and he too dint last long, again it was the slowness of the wicket which was not permitting his timing or stroke play. Avi came in next and was facing the same problem. Meantime I was struggling to time as well and just as I was getting a grip on the timing, was run out to a brilliant piece of fielding. It was a touch and go decision by the umpire I felt 50-50 about being in. I was not out by yards for sure. Avi and Sid did a good job of repairing. Sid was looking extremely good. Dhanu apart Sid was the other batsman to time and adjust well. He in fact understood the wicket and played the situation. Just as we were gaining the upper hand, against the run of play Avi played a very reckless shot to be caught. Like Dhanu Avi too made the same mistake. In fact Avi’s role was to see what Sid was doing and take the team to a safer score.

Naga replaced Avi and hit a six and a four to get the game back in our favor. Both Naga and Sid were batting well and taking the singles to rotate strike and get bowlers to provide the odd wide ball.  Sid hit two beautiful cover drives and showed lot of determination in waiting for the lose ball and treat the bowling on merit. The cover drive is possibly the rose flower amongst the shots a batsman can play. It has romance about it, it has beauty about it, has crassness about it. The cover drive is one shot which is either played well or just not played.   I just loved the two cover drives from Sid. Just as the game was again swinging our way, the low bounce and slow wicket did Naga in and he was out LBW. We were dealt with a body blow to see Sid also go for another LBW. Out of nowhere we were 100 for 7 and staring down the barrel. We had match winners in Venki and Chinmay still at the wicket. But we had left things to the last too many times. This was not meant to be our day. Venki got out to a soft shot, on a normal day that would have been whacked for a six. Pavan was out to a freak catch which itself showed this was not our day. Chinmay was left to do too much and he perished too and with that the game ended in a bitter loss.

Losing and winning is part of the game. It is important to hurt when we lose so that we learn from the mistakes which cost us the game. Every member was hurting which is a good sign. Don’t take defeats lightly and don’t let victories go your head. High points of the day for me and which augur well for the rest of the season are Dilip’s bowling and Ron’s spell. This is second consecutive game Dilip is bowling a match winning spell. A leg spinner is a special breed, very difficult to pick if the line and length is on the money. Ron’s spell bodes very well and this combination of Ron-Dilip is extremely exciting.

Every individual who played this game would do well to think what better he could have been done to ensure team wins. Losing to a strong opponent is no problem. Losing to an equal opponent is ok, but losing to a weaker opponent should HURT!! The good part is this loss is better now than at play off’s.

Cheers

Ravi