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Shivaji excellent spell and Nitesh solid innings, made VCC won by 1 run

Kampong away, surprising weather conditions, the forecast got completely changed and a good sunny day, just perfect to play cricket on a grass wicket. We won the toss and in general the ideal call would be bowling first however based on our past experience on chasing and also no due on the field, convinced us to bat first.

Atif and Kalyan opened the batting and both looked good, started in an attacking frame of mind making Kampong bowling attack look ordinary. However, Atif perished with VCC’s score at 31 in 5th over. In form batsman Mirweis joined Skipper. After some promising partnership, unfortunately Kalyan got runout, after which the wickets were lost in quick successions with VCC 95 for 7 in just 19 overs.
Annemijn, joined Nitesh in the middle. She did exactly what is required during that situation, with her solid defence, timely strike rotation, and a nice support to the batsman on the other end, slowly built up the partnership. On the other hand, Nitesh was just awesome, very well handled the pressure situation, and scored much needed runs 63 (9×4, 1×6), putting 8th wicket partnership 67 runs, impressive part was no wicket lost for 12 overs. After a nice show, Annemijn and Nitesh got out in 32nd and 33rd overs respectively and in very next over VCC all out at 170 in 34 overs.

Defending a modest 170, VCC opened their bowling with Ashish and Vishwa, both of them bowled tight spell with Vishwa taking the first wicket in 5th over while Kampong were still at 25. After which Kampong batsmen tightened their defence and looked rock solid with VCC not able to make any inroad. Finally, Sivaji was brought into the attack who got Kampong opener who played a fine innings for 69. At this moment the scoreboard 117/2 in 22 overs, and Kampong team looked rather confident to chase down this target in a hurry. VCC players, however, had other plans with Sivaji in a rather furious mood, bowling his heart out looking to take a wicket off every delivery, ultimately finishing his spell for 5/31. The bowlers were also backed by some excellent fielding, Ashish and Annemijn claimed two direct hits from difficult angles to send the batsmen back to the pavilion. Surprise package Thomas claimed a wicket of what he claims as an excellent away swinger sending solid-looking Kampong’s wicketkeeper batsmen back. It was game on, as Kampong needing 2 runs and VCC needing 1 wicket, Kalyan asked Annemijn to do the needful, and she did exactly the same claiming last Kampong man on her third delivery with a nice caught and bowled.

What a game VCC got Kampong’s last 9 wickets for 52 runs. A great match to watch, great team effort, everyone was just awesome on the field with lots of energy till the end, that’s what happens when you believe as a team. We do have some learnings and improvements but we all enjoyed the game!!

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Floris de Lange