On Easter Sunday, the Optimists 1st XI took part in the new look BCL format for 2011 which for the first time incorporates a T20 league as well as the normal 45 over cricket.
Antwerp Indians 2nd XI were to be our first opponents and upon arriving at Antwerp on a beautiful sunny day, skipper Mees lost the toss and the Optimists were fielding.
AICC made a solid start with opener Shah scoring a classy 67. As per usual with the first game of the season, the Optimists fielding was not spectacular with quite a few catches being put down and bowling 19 wides in a T20 game is unacceptable. However, after 13 overs, the AICC were on 113-4 when Deepak Gianchandani was introduced into the attack. He quickly dismissed the opener, Shah with a fine catch from Arvind Pandey and went on to decimate the lower order with his off-spin, ending the day with figures of 5-25. A fantastic performance that meant the AICC scored 166 off their 20 overs.
In reply, Samir Kalra and Joost Mees opened. Kalra went quickly which brought Richard Neale to the crease only for him to smash a long hop down point’s throat. With the score at 7 for 2 off 3 overs, we needed a couple of heroes! They came in the form of skipper, Mees and Taral Desai.
Mees started the onslaught with some exquisite stroke play and powerful hitting that the young guns from AICC 2nds were left rather perplexed in what to do next. The run-rate accelerated rapidly and Mees celebrated his 50 off only 23 balls. Desai was ably supporting Mees with some good shots of his own and carefully guided singles until he too decided to get in on the action and was soon cutting and driving the AICC to all parts of the ground as well!
It was an excellent batting display that the Optimists have not seen for a few seasons. So when Mees finally went on 96 and Desai on 57, it was left for Suresh Kalagara and Tim Andrews to score the winning runs.
A brilliant start to our Belgian League campain and lets hope the team can build on this in both formats of the game.
R.Neale
Picture: Joost Mees (archive)