Finally we could play on Wednesday, March 19, after an unprecedentedly long period of persistent rain in southern Spain. The schedule was completely changed: no T10 games, but lots of F5 games with five overs (thirty balls) each. VCC won the first game against German Darmstadt 80-66. They lost the next two games.
A controversial run out gave VCC just a little extra venom. VCC batsman Nehaan Gigani walked up too early and was run out at the dead wicket without warning from bowler Nasseri. ‘In the spirit of the game,’ or was the German simply in his right? Either way, a tormented Carl Mumba sulked 22 crucial runs in the remaining four balls.
Two catches by Cedric de Lange and two by Tom de Leede – including one fantastic one in the outfield – ensured that the requested run rate went sky high. Also in the German innings Carl Mumba was unapproachable with 2-3 in his only over: 80/7 – 66/6 was the final result.
Zurich
The next two matches went less well for the Voorburgers. Zurich Nomads finished (with nine sixes) in 3.5 overs, topping the VCC total of 65 runs (Croes 25, Mohsen 26).
Roma
Despite a fine innings by 17-year-old Cedric de Lange (45 not out off seventeen balls), Roma was also too strong for the Voorburgers. In 4.5 overs the Romans went past the 78 VCC runs.
Farmers the hare on penultimate ball
On Thursday afternoon, VCC opted to field first. That worked out well, as the Farmers were limited to 65 runs off the available five overs. Top scorer Sumerauer (32) was missed on 17. Udit Nashier picked up three catches flawlessly, including one on his own bowling. Carl Mumba 1-8, Mees van Vliet 1-11.
At the runchase, many balls were missed, resulting in many dots. Twenty runs from the last over called for. The first went for five wides, which helped. Fifteen from six. The second also five wides, ten from six. Dot and single, nine from four. Wide not given, single, wide … and a six from Udit Nashier off the penultimate ball! A bizarre denouement to the match. Waseem Mohsen remained with 30 not out.
Photo: Noah Croes (photo: Diana Oros/ECN)
