Optimists Cricket Club News story


WOCC back to winning ways and top of the league

25 Apr 2021

Sunday April 25th WOCC vs STAR CC

A shuffle of the pack saw Atif, Ananth and Wayne join the team to play against title contenders Star CC. After a disappointing loss the day before the team was determined to make a statement and rise to the top of the league.

Once again, Mohit won the toss and choose to bat on a cold but sunny morning at the Pierre Werner Cricket Ground. James and Willi opened up with a couple of early boundaries before the pupil got the teacher out caught behind. Ansh will be doing extra fitness at training come Wednesday. This brought Club Chairman Joost to the crease at 15-1 who combined well to amass a partnership of 53. Within this, the left handed James went after top wicket taker Shivakumar hitting towards the short boundary who went for 27 off 2 overs. Joost at the other end was showing us all he does in fact have a pull shot as he dispatched two big sixes into the farmer's field off Jatin. The Star CC skipper brought himself on got James caught behind with his 3rd ball. At 68-2 off 7.3 overs WOCC were in a tremendous position to kick on and post a unassailable total. Newcomer Ed Packard had a the mightiest swing at his first ball but thankfully it missed the bat and stumps and he could allow the rush of blood to settle. The middle order all contributed with handy contributions from Reinhardt, Mohit Dixit, Pankaj Malav, Atif Kamal and Ananth. However, the star of the innings was Joost who got WOCC to a final total of 185/7 off 20 overs. His innings of 87 is the top score this season and with 10 boundaries (5 fours, 5 sixes) it was a joy to watch from the scorer's table.
Brought in to open the bowling, Atif did just that and took the prized wicket of Shiv for a duck. Accompanied by Willi who took another two wickets in the powerplay thanks to the safe hands of Ed Packard saw STAR CC at 23/3 after 6 overs. Pankaj joined the attack and contained one end brilliantly while Ed attacked with his seam movement from the other. However, Ady and Jatin held strong and continued to score until the 14th over where skipper Mohit Dixit got Jatin (49) caught on the boundary by Willi. Mark Fitzgerald then came into the attack to try and entice the lower order batsmen to give their wicket up to the alert boundary riders of Reinhardt and co. With 87 needed off the last 4 overs, it was all over but Wayne Codd still fancied taking a wicket and he did just that with some brilliant death bowling, utilising the slower ball to great effect. Atif bowled the last over and picked up a well deserved 2nd wicket. STAR CC finished 133/7 which meant WOCC once again went to the top of the LCF Division 1 table on net run rate with one final day of cricket still to be played.
One of the best team performances from the WOCCers who now look forward to their final game against Heritage on Saturday 1st May 11am