Match Report: KCLA Cricket, Wednesday 11th June

On Wednesday, 11th June, 2014, KCLA Cricket took on Weasels Cricket Club in a 40 over game at the LSE Sportsground. Michael Gabbay sums up the action in this first match report of the season:

“A beautiful day for cricket with the LSE Sportsground looking like a picture postcard. With the mercury reaching the mid-20s and more, both Skippers were nervous about the reception they would get if they lost the toss. Happily it came down tails and KCLA Captain Pete Crowe elected to bat in a quarter of a heartbeat. A brisk opening stand of 83 between Ladha and Crowe was ended when the latter managed to pick out the sub fielder in the deep off a long hop from the leggie for a fitful 28. Ladha retired on 50* soon after and the momentum did drop slightly until it was picked up again around the 20-over mark. Debutant Ian Johns and wicketkeeper-bat Neil McLean helped themselves to retired 50s and Khalid and Richard hustled well in the final few overs to see us through to the highly competitive score of 234/5 off 35. A well-earned tea was consumed hungrily.

Siraj, guesting for Weasels, butchered a few early boundaries through the leg side from there on init was The Numan Show. After 2 wides in his first 3 attempts, he was to finish with figures of 5-2-6-4. It was an excellent spell of medium-fast out-swing bowling that was far too good for the Weasels batting line-up. Backed up by the reliable Mullett from the bottom end and by some good slip catching (Crowe and Mamik), Numan cut a swathe through their top order and they were reduced to 16 for 6 at one stage. So dominant was ball over bat that an umbrella cordon was employed for a while - peaking at 4 slips, 2 gullies and a leg slip!

On what was still a very flat pitch, Weasels rallied somewhat. First they dug in and then there  good improvisation and then cleaning hitting from the lower order. But the result was never in doubt with Weasels falling 73 short with 161/8. Another good performance and a very enjoyable day too. All 3 disciplines fired and McLean was immaculate with the gauntlets.

The next few fixtures are T20s, so let's hope we can translate these performances into the shorter form.”

KCLA XI vs Weasels CC

Pete Crowe (Capt)

Neil McLean (Wk)

Ritanjan Das

Bhavin Makwana

Asad Ladha

Ian Johns

Numan

Imtiaz  

Mamik

Khalid Harris

Imran Mohammad

Michael Gabbay

KCLA Cricket

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