Memories of FLT are still fresh in front of me and may be in lot of people's mind. Wining tournament and to participate in finals are great achievement in itself for Bhola XI and Warriors. To be in top 2 out of 52 teams in knock-out type of format is not a joke. Believe me, game was awesome to view. Result was not sure till the last ball was bowled.
This is blog I have tried to put in words what I have seen. Being a true spectator and pleasure of umpiring such a wonderful games of cricket.
All Pics available : Thanks to Anil and Chirag for wonderful pics
http://www.tennisballcricket.org/index.php?option=com_hwdvideoshare&task=viewvideo&Itemid=179&video_id=74
http://www.tennisballcricket.org/index.php?option=com_morfeoshow&task=view&gallery=13&Itemid=149
Catalysters (CATS) and Warriors (WARS)
CATS innings - What a shot
Toss was won by CATS, with no hesitation they took batting first. Rohan and Gaya opened the innings. They are one of the dangerous pair in TCA, but in return WARS launched their sphere head Himesh and Raj. Initially Gaya looked dangerous; shot from his bat over covers fence for 2 runs was magnificent to watch. It was magic arm Ravi S brought to attack and without wasting his time he picked up dangerous looking Gaya in Covers and Rohan in same over. They knew game was half done for them. Parshu and Suijth tried to rotate the strike and tried be as quick as possible between the wickets. Anil and Ravi you can say applied the breaks to CATS innings and grab quick wickets at regular intervals. In comes the Ganapathi, his short after few singles to deep wicket fence was fultoo paisa vasol shot. I think even bowler did not mind seeing such a powerful hit, the power behind the shot was so much that ball passed over the Srikanth head in no time - What a shot. It was flat six, which hardly had any elevation. After 9 over's CATS were 34/6, Vishnu was the bowler, he tough took 2 bowled in last over, but few extras and quick running between wickets settled CATS on 45/9.
Chai Pani time Break
As per ground previous stats, this was fighting score and this was well known to both teams. You can see focus and determination in both teams’ faces during the break.
WARS innings - What a commitment
The run machines Vijay and Tank loaded of powerful shots Amol started the innings for the WARS. As these teams have played with each other so many times. Field was set right away for them. But change in field and fielding setting on every ball, focus was lost by CATS, that’s what I feel and this pair took the advantage of the same and build a initial platform for WARS. Vijay was given run out by me, could have become the turning point of the game. I do agree I was not in right position while giving the run out, but I still think he was out :) may be people think it was touch and go. WARS were almost mad at me but they focused on the game and moved on from the incident. Soon Rohan ran out Amol. Back to back wickets got CATS back into the game. Himesh lost his focus after decision from Divya for a wide call and was clean bowled at very next ball. Anil the fastest running between the wickets was clean bowled by Rohan, what a ball, at a moment I felt it edge the bat but found it kissed the off stump and bails were off. WARS needed runs with RR almost 6. Then comes the chotu - Srikanth the MOM of the game. He and Panda made sure they touch each and every ball to the bat. Moment it hit the bat run was taken, in doing so Sri jumped couple times to make the ground - What a commitment. No doubts they batted brilliantly but CATS gave away the game in their fielding settings and poor pick and throw and not attacking the ball. Sri completed the match in style with boundary. Match was over well before 10th over. WARS in real sense won the match from CATS.
Mukabala hai tumse
Back to back matches in two days is not a easy job, whether its 20 over match or 10 over match. But seeing body language of Bhola XI and Warriors, I never felt they were tired or in mode of relaxing. Every one was charged up and ready for big Finals. Thanks to the crowd and sponsors who made final really look special.
Warriors (WARS) and Bhola XI (B11)
WARS innings – what a Six
WARS sticked with their wining combination and after wining toss decided to bat. Vijay and Amol came with a plan. Pressure of finals was visible on each player and pressure to score extra on miss fielding by B11, got their first victim in form of run out. Mix up between them was reason for run not and it was not me for a change ;). Amol took the charge along with dangerous all rounder Himesh. Both these power rangers’ tanks started attacking B11 bowling attack. Six from Himesh in Chirag's bowling was shot of the day. What a Six - Ball flew almost 20 feet behind the boundary and elevation was wonderful to watch. Partnership between them brought WARS in comfortable seat. B11 never gave up at any point of time and everyone chipped in and did not allow WARS to take over the fort so easily. Hardik and Jignesh bowling variation of fast and slower ones and changing their length was fun to watch. They were unplayable. Great fielding by all B11 players restricted WARS on 47/7. It was great achievement as WARS at one time looked dangerous and I got feeling they could have made 55 to 60.
Last Mantra
Ganpati Bapa Moriya and Go Warriors Go were their mantras and payers were charged with energy and strategies were set.
B11 innings - Catches win matches
Man in form with 100+ runs in FLT Hardik and along with stylish Chintan opened the innings for the B11. There were few changes in their team, absence of Nihir was visible in start of the innings but Chirag took the charge of the team and got them together. This lefty righty combination started playing their shots all over the park. They looked dangerous and unbeatable. In order to complete match quickly Hardik played ball in the air. Vishnu took a wonderful catch running from long on, he made catch look so simple but it was one of the best catch in pressure situation and that too of Hardik. Chitan kept his head down and played his role in style. Jay another upcoming talent played his shots on both sides of wickets. His square cut and flick shoots were effortless. Raj tested the youngster with his change of pace and line and length. Raj was rewarded, by getting an edge that Panda without any mistakes grabbed in his gloves. Sanket joint Chitan to chase the remaining target. Sanket with lot of batting skills look so confident, his cover drive was beauty. It was diving stops by Vijay and Sri kept the energy level and standard of WARS fielding very high, they must have definitely saved 5 to 6 runs there. Here comes turning point of the game, Chintan trying to clear inner field and seeing opportunity to score played a ball in air. Raj and Anil both ran to grab the catch. Noise was and pressure was so high they did not hear each others call and dash into each other. But Raj kept eyes and his hands on the ball and before falling down got hold on the ball and clash tuned out into wicket. Yes, Catches win Matches quite evident after this. Anil got chance to grab missing opportunity, he clean bowled Sanket and was rewarded with wicket. Last 3 over’s by Sri, Anil and Vishnu was right on target and B11 fell 4 short of their target. Sachin and Jignesh fought till the end but could send the ball out of the park.
Warriors won the match and people running all over the ground and congratulating each other, one side people were really happy and were in their world on other side hard luck and frustration for some players. B11 lost the match but I think they lost to better team on the given day who Batted, bowled and fielded exceptionally well.
Hosh Mein Josh
Guys, win and loss are part of the game. I know its not easy to digest defeat nor the Win. You get either too much excited or get really frustrated by the result. But keep you head cool and have presence of mind please, because in frustration someone hit the stump hard and stump flew like sphere and touch wood it didn't hit anyone. This was really dangerous and such incidents can be definitely avoided. So I request each and everyone to act responsibly in coming tournament and control your emotions whenever possible. No hard feeling to anyone here but it was important to mention.
Warriors wining the game and FLT back to back. I enjoyed my umpiring in finals once again.
MOM for finals - Amol Pai
MVP – Hardik T
Most 6’s – Amol Pai
Most 4’s - Barry
We will miss Warriors in WL but Bhola XI are still in the race before holding the WL hampionship title. They have appeared 3 times in last 4 tournament finals.
League 2009 Bhola XI beats Catalysters
KO 2009 Strikers beats Catalysters
Open 2009 Chennai 94086 beats Bhola XI
FLT 2009 Warriors beats Bhola XI
Four tournament Four different winners …
WL 2009 Just 2 days to go … it could be your chance to get grab the trophy or Will Bhola XI or Stikers break the trend of new winner in new tournament.
Keep Smiling Always
Dharme
Bhavnavho ko samjo ... Grammar mein mat uljo :)
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