An early but sunny start to a Sunday morning in early May
saw the Optimists 1st XI embarking on their second BCF league match
against Hasselt CC after having a frustrating rained-off match the previous
week.
Upon arrival at Hasselt, the skipper, William Heath lost the
toss and was asked to bowl first.
On an outfield that although we soon was discovered was very
fast, Hasselt do not suffer from moles like we do but nearly every other small
mammal going making running a chance of luck to avoid craters, rabbit entrances
to their warrens etc.
However, no fielders were needed for Taral Desai’s first
ball who cleaned bowled their opener! A fantastic ball that swung in, pitched,
seamed away and clipped the top off – a batsmans nightmare for a first ball! The
other opening bowler was Tamil Mani who also bowled well and restricted the
runs early on.
Taral was replaced by debutant, Mohit Dixit who bowled
extremely well, claiming two wickets in his first two overs for the club. He
went on to get a third in slightly controversial fashion that ended up being a
fine stumping by the other debutant, Bichitra Sahoo who was wicket-keeper.
Sahoo kept superbly, keeping the batsman under pressure by standing up whenever
he could.
Richard Neale had a brief spell due to injury and picked up
one, but it was the bowling of Tony Whiteman that outfoxed the lower order as
well as the star Hasselt batsman who batted at number 3 and scored a patient 58
until he holed out at deep mid-off to a good catch from Tamil off Tonys
bowling. At 170-7 off 30 overs, the Optimists were hoping to wrap up the tail
quickly. Whiteman claimed a further two victims and the off-spin of Saransh
Kulshrestha was too much for the final batsman. Hasselt were all out for 200
just inside of 37 overs.
It was a fine fielding and bowling performance with the pick
being Mohit Dixit – 9 overs, 3-42 and Tony Whitman – 5 overs, 3-27.
After a truly scrumptious curry the Optimists had to bat
feeling slightly stuffed and more than happy to sit under a tree for the
afternoon to sleep off the curry! However, in such circumstances you look to
your captain for leadership and motivation and William Heath delivered!
Leading by example, he opened the batting and immediately
with Tony Whiteman started dominating the bowling (also being assisted by our
other new player – Extras!). Erratic bowling saw plenty of wides but this was
combined by some beautiful strokeplay from both Heath and Whiteman – both looking
in great form for the rest of the season. Whiteman was caught in two minds when
he was on 18 and cut one to deep gully to bring in Joost Mees.
Mees also looking in good touch continued playing a few classy shots until he
was controversially run-out of a free-hit. Arun Krishnan came in for a cameo
innings smashing a fantastic straight drive four and then hooking a bouncer for
six before being bowled.
Mr. dependable (or should that be Mr. Tomato face as the
opposition were lovingly referring to him as!) continued to provide the
platform, so when seasoned veteran, Taral Desai joined him, Taral was able play
his shots…and play his shots, he did! Some powerful stroke play saw the ball
being cut and pulled ferociously. Taral was eventually out for 28 leaving the
Optimists only 40 runs to get with 20 overs remaining.
Saransh Kulshrestha joined Heath and looked positive.
Fittingly, Heath secured the win with a boundary straight
back past the bowler to collect full points for the Optimists in their campaign
for promotion. Heath ended up on 71 not out and brought the Optimists home
after only 33 overs to win by 6 wickets.
A strong performance all-round. Excellent fielding, bowling
and batting ensured the Optimists were dominant through-out the game and
confidence levels are now high going into the next game on June 14th
against Brugge CC.