Optimists Cricket Club

On a very humid but warm and sunny day, the Optimists ventured to The Netherlands for thier seveneth BCF League Fixture.
Things did not start well for skipper Joost Mees who not only lost toss but realised all of this cricket clothes were left where he stayed the previous evening with family. Fortunately a few frantic calls later, Mees took ownership of his trousers much to the delight of his fellow players.

The Optimists were asked to field first and quickly had success with an excellent run out in the third over. Aanand Pandey opened the bowling and bowled well with a good tight line. His final figures of 1-10 off 7.4 overs reflected this.
However, at the other end was Tamilselvan Mani with this left arm around the wicket approach and made life difficult for the Heerlen batsman. Mani made short work of the middle order dismissing 4 in succession. Having bowled a fabulous spell of 9 overs, 4-18, Mees turned to other options who all contributed well. Cope, Merkl and Krishnan all bowled well and Heerlen were struggling on 50-7 at the 20 over mark.
Taral Desai then entered the attack with some stratgic bowling. Bowling in phases, Desai had obvious plans as to who he was going to dismiss the batsman. These tactics worked and Desai finished the session with 5 overs 1-2. Tim Barker made his Optimists debut with the ball and picked up a wicket - clean bowled! After 36 overs, Heerlen were eventually bowled out for 77.

William Heath and James Barker opened the innings in response and both looked calmed and composed. The outfield was long but Heath still managed to pull and cut some boundaries whilst Barker was efficient in picking up the ones and twos with some fine shots that were not rewarded the full allocation of runs they should of been.
With a bit of assistance from the Heerlen bowlers (25 wides), the Optimists cruised home with only Heath falling just before the end. Mees joined Barker to see the Optimists home and record thier 4th win of the season.

It was a great team effort and hopes are high to finish the season with a win against PCCB at the end of August.