What a game of cricket this was. Fine it was WU Championship 3 but both sides would give any in Champ 2 a battle with our respective first XIs in Prem 1 and Prem 2.
Both sides will have regrets but in the end Anniesland won by 16 runs in a game that could have been over much, much, earlier but also could have been won by a valiant Glenpark side.
On a beautiful dry day at New Anniesland QQ won the toss and decided to bat first despite their being moisture in the wicket - “a winning decision is always a good one” he would say at 7pm when we had finally got home!
Anandu (aka Andy) looked really classy as a opening partner with QQ (in absence of Crawf) but played a neither here nor there shot too early to Farukh, and comfortably caught at mid-off.
At the other end Glenpark’s veteran opening bowler Dave Sharma though was bowling beautiful away seam which players did well to leave or just get lucky and play and miss.
A couple of optimistic LBW shouts from Farukh and one very close one to QQ which was adjudged to be hitting outside the line but Glenpark didn’t have to wait long.
First QQ then Fraser were caught at slip and by keeper in quick succession off Sharma who was bowling like a dream and bowled out his 10 overs for 2 wickets (you would have to be Joe Root to edge some of them) for very few – at drinks.
Debutant Kapil joined with Sathish on the rebuild and piled on runs with mix of stroke play and aggression to Kapil went hard at the top end replacement Ewan Stewart who like Sharma would bowl 10 on the spin with great control and wearing a jumper
Shortly after Sathish fell run out off a great drive by Karan touched onto stumps by bowler and out by an inch. Then a collapse. Mike cleaned up by an inswinger, Karen too, shortly followed by Arran and then Ekansh of the promising Norris.
Score on 127 or so with 13 overs to go Sid and Crick last wicket pair. Sid a good bat who doesn’t run much. Crick a old man with clock running and very limited skills. They blocked Norris and Stewart then Ed started attempting to put her off her excellent line and length dancing up and down the track like a drunken Pirate - a few leg side swipes for four. Change of bowling as opener Farukh but this led to a few actual cricket shots from Crick as three fours raced to covers followed by a massive six which no one was more upset about than Fraser.
Sid was run out on ball 39.5 a 42 run 10th wkt partnership… “Siri what is handy?”
Coach Hari had some critical comments in changing room but also noted batting had got easier as pitch dried.
After a great tea Anniesland started well as Glenpark skipper caught in crease below knee roll in front of all three and Umpire made the call. Great ball from Eekansh.
However, surprise the super bowlers Dave and Ewan could also BAT. They started to pile them on and with gazillions of wides and FIVE dropped catches (four of EK) we helped them put us under severe pressure. A massive appeal against Ewan for a caught behind after ball hit arm then appeared to hit back of bat and balloon up of change bowler the excellent Sid didn’t go Anniesland way and it was getting tense.
Sathish though came on bowled straight (ish) and Sid took a great catch at point. Then next man in caught spectacularly by Mike with the gloves. Glenpark opener retired for an injury check. Just before drinks Kapil bowled his first over and picked up a wicket too.
In the second set of 20 it was tense. Sid bowled out his 10 took a great caught and bowled and twice saw lives offered to the excellent Hemspsey. First he was given out LBW but recalled by Anniesland keeper Mike who had heard the inside edge then Mike doubled down by choosing not to stump him (your correspondent is now a dead man!). Hempsey with power and great shot selection and Usman put on a lot. Usman survived an identical run out at non strikers when ball touched in to stumps – just getting his bat down in time the call. He played safe Hempsey smashed it
QQ gambled brought on Crick who bowled two slow non turning balls for 6 before realising he was going to lose the match singlehanded. So, an actual flighted turning ball the like that Sid, Ian and Kapil produce all day, went up. Hempsey’s, eyes lit up and he launched. After Crick negotiated the unusual running line of the non-striker, he completed the caught and bowled. Was rather pleased. Immediately removed from attack.
Next over Usman launched at Kapil and QQ pouched a steepler at long on.
But the injured Sharma was back would he drag Glenpark home?
Well he very nearly did but ran out of partners as Kapil completed a dream debut with a Five wicket haul to go with his 38 with the bat.
Anniesland made hard very work of it but in the end earned their hard-fought win. Sometimes you have to give extra focus, energy, emotion and desire to get over the line.
Today Anniesland had that.
POTM: Kapil
Champagne moment: QQ catch in the deep off Kapil - you love to see it
Weird thing: Crick now averages about 44 vs Glenpark - it is inexplicable.