Optimists Cricket Club

Basel CC arrived on saturday for a weekend of cricket against OCC at Walferdange.

The saturday game was a 40 over match, played on a perfectly shaved Pierre Werner CG outfield. With the ball racing to the boundary, a high-scoring match was on the cards. Basel started briskly, with Rajesh in great form against the quicker bowlers. After reaching his 50, he slowed down, baffled and beguiled in KP style by Mike West's slow left arm deliveries. A series of useful scores were chalked up by Basel and they ended their innings on 266 for 7, a mighty target in 40 overs.

OCC's reply began unpromisingly with Sonny, the Basel skipper, removing openers Andrews and Finch cheaply, both bowled. Vishal targeted Steinsel with each ball, with a shot that was just straight of Deepak's favourite ch**** shot. But he fell in the effort and Deed unwisely left a straight one, to leave OCC about 200 adrift and 4 wickets down. 

Meanwhile, 15 year old Timothy Barker had not only begun to look secure, but to score some good runs too, as he unfurled an imperious straight drive and some great pull shots. He found able partners, first in Anand Pattabiraman, scored a measured 40 and then in Ali Siddiqi, who hit a quick-fire 50, shortly after Timothy completed his first 100 in senior cricket. It was a great knock and he went on to carry his bat for 112. Ali was out just before the target as reached, to leave a tricky few runs for Phil Burleigh to get off the last offer. He played and missed (damn!) and again (nein!), but finally he connected (mango!) and the breadfruit hurtled over the midwicket boundary and OCC had won an unlikely victory. But what an innings from Timothy, who somehow combines a cool head with some aggressive strokes.

Saturday evening was spent with our Basel Friends consuming one of Raju's best curries at the Pavillon, with a good turnout of Optimists present.

The sunday game was a T20 and proved another exciting match. Again Basel batted first and posted 149 in their 20 overs, with fifties from Zaheer and John. In reply OCC came close through William Cope and Deepak, but then came an astonishing 5 run outs and the scores ended equal on 149.

Detailed match reports to follow.

Rob Deed