Lord’s Taverners Corporate Cricket Challenge 2016 Indoor Tournament: Part 2
Sports Gazette continues it;s coverage of the tournament from the sidelines of the MCC Indoor Cricket Academy
Thursday 20/10/2016 Match Reports
JP Morgan 99/3 beat Catch 22 98/5 by 3 wickets
JP Morgan registered their first win in their opening tie against Catch 22 with a remarkable all-round performance. While JP Morgan produced some tight bowling, Catch 22 openers, Vince (13) and Henry (30) showcased good running between the wickets. Henry whacked the ball around the park before getting run-out. JP Morgan had reasonable number of run-out chances but they couldn’t hit the stumps. David displayed fine seam bowling. The ball hit the stumps like a rocket which resulted in a run-out, Nick came in to bat at number four. Nick (23*) opened his account with a beautifully timed four. David continued his exceptional bowling and almost claimed Nick’s wicket. But the wicket-keeper misjudged the catch and Nick survived. Nick saw this as an opportunity and hit a massive six straight above the bowler’s head. He smashed a four on the last ball of the innings to take his team to 98. Govind was the sole bowler to pick up a wicket for JP Morgan as Colin was caught in the slips for a duck. JP Morgan lost their opener Ketan (4) in the second over. Ben dismissed Ketan with a one-handed catch. David (26*) made sure he kept the scoreboard ticking for his side as Rahul departed without scoring. Nick bowled a tight over with the fielders backing him as Rahul nicked the ball and the ball nicely sat into the wicket-keeper’s gloves. Nick received some bruising as he bowled his second over but he made a quick recovery. David along with Govind (21*) hit few sixes and Ratnesh (16*) too joined the party. Catch 22 gifted JP Morgan two consecutive wide balls as JP Morgan achieved the target in the seventh over.
JP Morgan 61-3 beat Made Simple Group 58/5 by 3 wickets
The match promised to be an exciting one as Saleem scalped two wickets in the opening over of the game. After opener Joe (0) and Matty (1) made an early exit, Josh (0) was sent back to the pavilion by David as the bails were dislodged and he was declared bowled. Ratnesh who was bowling right-arm over the wicket discarded Jared for a naught. David, who had a decent game continued to keep the pressure on Made Simple Group batsmen as he pulled out a brilliant caught and bowled in the eighth over. Coming out of a comfortable first match victory and restricting their opponents for a low score would have made it look easy for JP Morgan. But Made Simple tried to give them a fight as a good throw Prakash (1) was run-out in the first over. Ratnesh (1) attempted an aerial shot and was caught on a ball bowled by Chris. Made Simple Group made the game look alive till this stage. They were taking wickets at regular intervals. Rahul was run-out after hitting a six. The tables turned when Tejas (22*) and David (17*) were at the crease. In a low-scoring game the pressure to defend the total would be higher and bowlers are unable to keep their nerves. This is probably what happened in this game. Tejas and David battered the bowlers but their job was made easier with a stream of no-balls supplied to them by the Made Simple Group bowlers. It indeed was a thumping victory for JP Morgan as they finished off the game in the fourth over.
JP Morgan 79/0 beat Gardiner & Theobold 76/4 by 6 wickets
Joe, who had a splendid match against Catch 22 was expected to continue his form into this game. He top-scored for T&G as he remained not out on 25. The JP Morgan bowlers were keeping a close watch on Joe during his innings against Catch 22. JP Morgan bowlers would have planned to get Joe out early on. Instead, they were able to take Jimbo’s wicket. A rightly judged direct throw by Tejas in the third over meant Jimbo would have to return. Solid bowling from JP Morgan, coupled with stellar fielding performance led to an inability to build concrete partnerships. The bowlers were being rotated after a great deal of discussion amongst all the JP Morgan players. Ketan was the only bowler to pick up a wicket. He was able to remove Tom (14) who was looking to settle after scoring two fours. Chloe (4) was run-out on the last ball of the last over while Andy (11*) and Jen (1*) too couldn’t make large contributions. Two hefty wins that were secured by swift run-chases meant JP Morgan could rip apart any bowling side. The opening pair of Saleem (27*) and Ketan (30*) worked well for JP Morgan as they cruised to a victory without the fall of a wicket. They shared a 55 run opening partnership. With just three overs bowled, JP Morgan had sprinted to 46 runs. Saleem and Ketan engaged in some hammering by showcasing their six hitting ability as the G&T bowlers were forced into being mere spectators. Ketan completed it in style for JP Morgan with a six. With all the wickets in hand, JP Morgan wrapped up the innings in the fifth over.
