VOC must be tired of outlandish catches by VCC this season.
In Rotterdam, it was Charu who stuck out a hand to grab a ball that had already sailed past him in the deep.
In the return match, on the main pitch at VCC, it was Vishal who defied gravity as he leapt and seemed to hang briefly in midair to snag a catch off his own bowling and dismiss the opponent’s most dangerous batsman for 26 just as he seemed to be getting his eye in after a slow start in difficult batting conditions.
The catch and tight bowling from Vishal (2-23 off his seven overs) and Charu, who reeled off seven straight overs for figures of 3-27, meant that the first half of captain Guus’s plan when he won the toss (put them in, bowl them out cheaply and knock off the runs) worked to perfection.
Batting first in humid, cloudy conditions made for medium-pace trundlers, VOC could manage only 103 all out in 30 overs, struggling to find the distant boundary rope.
Surely that target would be achievable even for a VCC batting lineup weakened by a combination of injuries, holidays and (allegedly) a hangover.
Captain Guus, recovered from injury, was back in the lineup and made sure his plan worked by carrying his bat for an undefeated 35. He was ably assisted by opening partner Rob and then Vishal before both men departed LBW for 18, two of the four LBWs given by Colin in his umpiring stint.
It was left to Mike, who after opening his season with two ducks had decided to wear contact lenses, to sweep the winning runs for four.
Marc, known for his explosive batting, made up for his inability to play by manning the end of the season barbecue and nearly blowing his own head off in a small gas conflagration.
Judging by Whatsapp messages the following morning, one or two VCC Zomis made sure their last official match of the season continued deep into the night.
-MC
Scorecard