Risinghurst Cricket Club

By Lokeshwar Bandhu

After a wonderful start of the season last week, we were back for our first game at home to host Radley. Mansoor won the toss (a tactic employed by Martin to win tosses) and we elected to bat first. Martin and Saurabh gave a flying start to the innings with a 132-run partnership, which might well be a record for RCC 1st wicket partnership. This was the third century partnership in two games, our batsmen were making up for the abandoned matches earlier. Martin, in particular, was the aggressor who cleared the infield with typical flair for 11 boundaries. He was cruising to a century before being adjudged lbw on 67. Saurabh was steadily accumulating at the other end, but an unfortunate run-out cut his innings short before a well-deserved half-century. This was followed by a mini-collapse of the middle order – Sandeep, Mansoor, and Lucky did not trouble the scorers much. Mansoor was welcomed by his ex-teammates with a guard of honour, and the generous man duly returned the favour by gifting his wicket. Radley was sniffing a come back but a watchful partnership between Rakesh-Romi and then Rakesh-Sam ensured we passed a par score on that wicket. Rakesh continued his form from last week and maneuvered the innings to safety before falling off in search of quick runs. Aman and Praneel finished the innings on a high with Aman being particularly severe on Ali scoring a flurry of boundaries. Praneel was unfortunately caught at the deep, karma coming back to bite him for putting up the boundary posts outside the boundary line. However, the young guns did display the batting fire-power we have at the lower order.

Radley were stifled early in the innings by Rakesh and Romi, conceding nearly 2 runs per over for the first 12 overs, their top-order succumbed to the pressure eventually. After negotiating the opening spell, the middle-order was looking to consolidate. Lucky and Praneel leaked some runs in the middle overs before Praneel came back to trap Yasir Yameen lbw. The return of spin twins in John and Martin nearly closed the doors for Radley with regularly picking wickets and economic overs. John employed his years of experience, with tight line, length and pace (or the lack of). Some batsmen played the shot early and trapped lbw or bowled, some are still rumored to be waiting for the ball to arrive..haha. The combined effort from Atif, Rasheed and Ali in the lower order was good enough to keep us honest towards the end. Some lusty blows from Ali brought Radley closer to the target but it wasn’t enough with the ever increasing run rate and wickets falling at the other end. Rakesh came to finish the innings and capped his performance with the final wicket.

In the post-match presentation ceremony, a new tradition we have started this year, Rakesh was declared MOTM for his all-round performance.