Asteroids captain won the toss and had no hesitation to bat first on hot day. It was the successful combination of Natty and Jimmy who were tasked with opening the innings, Tracy started with 2 quick bowlers who were rapid and kept the ball on good length and got good bounce. Jimmy(7) was the first to fall looking to clear mid on. Arun D was next to the crease and he and Natty kept rotating the strike by pinching singles. Natty (33) continued his good form by making full use of the bad balls. Just when he was looking good for a big one , he fell trying to clear mid off. Both batsmen were involved in a 50 run partnership. Sunnyvale were 60 for 2 in 15 overs.
After drinks Anoop joined Arun and both continued to keep the score board ticking. The opening bowlers had finished their spell and spinners were on. Both batsmen were untroubled and kept scoring at 3 to 4 runs every over. Just when a partnership was building Arun D got run out to a direct hit from mid on. Sathy was the next batsmen who was also run out. It was a poor decision by the umpire. Anoop continued to score freely and was supported by Giri. Just before the 2nd break Anoop(27) fell pulling a short one straight to mid wicket. Sunnyvale went into the break @ 110 for 5.
The plan for last 15 was to consolidate for a few overs and then attack. Giri and debutant Nikhil did a good job by not loosing wickets and kept the score board moving. But just when a foundation was being set to launch, 2 wickets fell in quick succession. Giri getting caught at point to a weak cut and Mayank getting bowled. Another debutant Ravish struck some big blows and was looking good, but Tracy kept chipping away and taking their catches. Sunnyvale were all out for 140 in 42 overs.
With a below par score on board, Sunnyvale needed to get quick wickets and choke the runs. Sathy and Chetan started the innings. Sathy was hostile and hit the batsmen on his ribs , he was also un lucky with the umpire not picking up a big edge. Chetan was back opening the bowling after a long time and he struck in his 2nd over. Nikhil was brought on first change and immediately picked up his first wicket to a well directed short ball. Chetan struck on the other end to a good catch by Ravish at mid wicket and Tracy were reeling at 18 for 3. Madhu replaced Chetan and was on the money from ball one. He did not bowl any bad balls and continuously troubled the batsmen with his flight and guile. He was also supported well by his fielders. In a six over spell , he claimed 5 wickets and broke the back of Tracy batting line up. With 2 wickets left Tracy batsmen went into defensive mode. Nikhil was brought on to clean up the tail and picked up another wicket, he was unlucky not to get another ( dropped chance ) and Madhu was brought back and cleaned up the last batsmen with his first ball to give Asteroids a comprehensive victory.
MOM: Madhu ( 6 wickets for 13 runs )
MVP: Natty ( 33 runs and 1 catch )
Positives:
Good positive batting
Bowlers were on the mark. Bowled to the field. Set the batsmen up beautifully.
Fielding and catching was good.
Negatives:
Not batting 45 overs.
Partnerships too short.
Sunnyvale Cricket Club 