SPCC spin trio put Tide Water in low tides as rank #16 beat rank #1 in a nail biter

August 18, 2007

Trilok played an all round innings and scored brilliant 61 runs. Later along with Amit and Subashis, the threesome shatters the hope of the top seeded team TWCC and cruised team SPCC to their first ever quarterfinal.

SPCC won the toss and decided to bat first. Sumit and Muzaffer provided an excellent partnership of 64 runs. With in next 8 runs SPCC were 72 for the loss of three wickets. Shivraj and Kenneth bowled well enough to remove top three batsmen of SPCC.

Rahul and Trilok steadied SPCC’s batting and started their innings cautiously. The run rate was going down every over. Kenneth and Shivraj bowled beautifully. The bowling change started the fireworks at the Temple ground. Trilok knew that the outfield is thick and the ball will not roll through the boundary. Therefore he decided to play some powerful lofted shots. In his innings of 61 runs, he hit one boundary and smacked seven massive sixes.

SPCC lost its fourth wicket at 172 runs and then their bad luck started. TWCC bowlers along with their excellent fielders play some good quality cricket in the last 7 overs. SPCC batting collapsed like the pieces of dominoes falling. After the departure of Rahul and Trilok, none of the batsmen scored more than 4 runs. SPCC lost all their wickets at the score of 186 runs. Shivraj took 4 wickets for just 35 runs in his incredible 7 overs spell.

After the moral boosting speech by SPCC’s Captain, SPCC guys came on the field to see one of the biggest upset of MACC playoffs. Rahul gave his team a dream start on the fourth ball of TWCC innings. A beautiful out swinging delivery saw stumps flying all over. Soon Rahul took the wicket number two when he took the catch of Shivraj.

Muzaffer and Sandeep brought into attack but they did not get much success. Looking at the pitch, Baseer decided to introduce his spinners. Subashis struck in his very first over and removed Ravi. Amit bowled superbly and kept confusing the big gun Kenneth. Finally on his second over, he managed to dismantle Kenneth who gave an easy catch to Rahul at point. TWCC lost its fifth wicket on the very next ball, when Vishy lofted the ball into the safe hands of Sandeep.

Trilok, who played exceptionally well in the first innings, was asked to show his bowling skills. This day will always be remembered as Trilok day. Trilok along with Subashis and Amit bowled very economically and kept TWCC batsmen baffled.

TWCC kept losing wickets on regular interval. They were 122 runs in 28 overs, with the loss of 8 wickets. SPCC guys were smelling victory. Nitin and Mahesh batted well in the extreme tense situation. In one over, Nitin smashed 18 runs and turned the game back in TWCC’s favor.

Captain decided to rely on his spinners again even in the final overs and decided to bring Amit. Amit provided the vital break through as he clean bowled Mahesh. The game got tensed again. All SPCC fielders were standing on their toes. TWCC players and all spectators were watching this last minute encounter with a thrill on their face. Eleven runs required off eleven balls. Nitin played amazingly well and did not play any risky shots.

Last over, seven runs requires off last six balls. In fact even a tie would take TWCC to the next round for being the higher seeded team. Man of the day Trilok was bowling with full confidence. First ball, Nitin swung the bat and tried to take two runs but later decided to rely on single only. Six runs off last five balls. Vamsi, the eleventh TWCC player, was facing Trilok. Trilok came and throwed a quicker. Vamsi played it towards short mid on and ran towards the bowling end. Amit dive towards his right, picked up the ball and in the spilt second the ball was in the hands of Harish. Harish caught the ball with one hand and removed the bails while he was in air flying. Unfortunately, Vamsi did not hear Nitin calling ‘wait wait wait’ but it was too late. TWCC were all out.

SPCC guys erupted with joy and ran from every corner towards the pitch. They were jumping vigorously and could not believe that their team did the biggest upset of the playoffs. TWCC players and their supporters were stunned. In the end both teams greeted and thanked each other for a good game. SPCC would like to thank TWCC for being wonderful host and providing a good feast during the lunch break. Trilok was declared Man of the Match.