Ruthless SPCC trounce Charlotte International by massive 192 runs

April 29, 2007

SPCC 403 for 4 (Muzaffer 133,Trilok 79,Jagi 70*, Amit 57) beat CICC 211 (Stephen 58, Baseer 4 wkts) by 192 runs

SPCC added another victory under their belt in 2007 league campaign, marked by Muzaffer's scintillating 133 from 87 balls. Muzaffer’s innings was the highest ever made by a SPCC batsman and it was launched in a stand of 136 for the first wicket with Trilok Rajesh.

The early breakthrough CICC so needed never materialized, especially when few catches were dropped in the field. Trilok had played a good innings by hitting 79 from 69 balls before getting out LBW to Geoffrey. At the halfway mark, SPCC has, without really going berserk, gotten itself into assault mode by laying an impeccable platform. Rest of the SPCC batsmen had an important role to play to first maintain a run rate of 10 an over, and then attempt to reach 350 - 400. Amit added a brilliant 57 in the middle. Amit played a series of good leg-side hits, mostly struck as cleanly to reach the rope. Soon Muzaffer reached his century with a ferocious drive to square leg boundary.

In the final dash for runs, Amit was bowled and Rahul, who was sent in to keep the accelerator pressed down, was out with out scoring to give Michel to 2 wickets in consecutive balls. While attempting a pull off Vishal, Muzaffer hit back to the bowler who took brilliant catch to bring to an end a tremendous innings. His was the fourth wicket to fall. But Jagi played an explosive innings of 70* runs of just 34 balls with many hits to the boundary. He was well supported by a cameo innings from Baseer with a 23 runs from 9 balls to take the SPCC score to 403 for 4.

Set a massive 404 to win off 35 overs, the CICC found maintaining the required scoring rate beyond them. CICC's top batsmen did their best in the face of a skyline run-rate, swinging the blade with gusto. CICC opened their batting with Stephen and Jacob. Siva bowled the well and he made the first breakthrough for SPCC by finding the swing long enough to beat Jacob's defense, after he was hit for a six on the previous ball. While the partnerships between Stephen and Kyle for the second wicket and Stephen and Rafi for the third wicket, the contest was alive.

Rahul claimed Kyle's (38 runs) wicket when the batsmen hit the ball back to the bowler, who gleefully accepted the catch. Rafi joined Stephen in the middle. In an effort to break the partnership, Venkat was called into the attack and the change worked for SPCC. Rafi lifted the ball over the bowler in an effort to clear the ropes but did not connect well. Running of both Baseer and Amit, for the catch at boundary given everyone in the field few anxious moments. In the end, Amit "snatched" the ball in front of Baseer and moved away just in time to avoid the collision. Rafi scored 39 runs. Muzaffer bowled a fuller length, on off, cutting in back sharply to find the Geoffrey pushing the wrong line, the ball sneaks through the gap and onto the stumps.

Rest of the batting did not last long. Subashis bowled Michael Stark with an incutter. Baseer decided to comeback for another spell. In 3 overs he accounted for 4 wickets for just 2 runs. Stephen was out by offering a simple catch to Muzaffer at point, after making excellent 58 runs at the top of the order. Matthew was bowled by very first ball that he faced. Baseer nailed Vishal on his pad in front, with a quick one. Vaughn was out for zero after offering a catch to the bowler. CICC's innings was over when Peter was bowled by Venkat. Stephen, Kyle and Rafi had done their best; but it was ultimately too many runs to chase.

Game was played in very good spirits. Excellent atmosphere at the Reedy Creek as good number of cricket lovers came to watch the game.