|
On one of the coldest days of the Dutch summers, Kampong CC was poised to play VCC.
In the absence of some key player like Sean Trouw, Ben Collier, Karel Vieler and Bhavik Nana, Kampong fielded a very young side including Camille and Robert, Josh and a familiar old face, Wouter Tamsma.
Put in to field, Kampong started of slowly, with the VCC openers playing with controlled aggression, especially Mr. Zaidi. After the fall of the first opener to a needless run out, this brought Mr. Diepeveen to the crease, who hasn’t had the greatest of seasons with the bat, and was out cheaply. The coach- pro walked in next, Mr. Hiini, and fell cheaply again against Kampong, questioning the umpires decision on his way back to the pavilion. With the opener continuing his good form and the experienced Tim de Leede, VCC looked well poised to get to a score of 250. Tim fell at a crucial point, when he looked well settled and in control and this triggered a collapse with the last 6 wickets falling for 30 odd runs. Mr. Zaidi was unfortunate falling on 99, missing out on an extremely well deserved century.
All the bowlers pooled in their weight for Kampong, and the target was set to 202.Fielding was not up to the usual high standards set in the previous few matches, with easy catches being put down, costing an addition 25-30 runs.
Kampong started of well, with Adrian and Josh with a good first wicket partnership. Shaun walked (after the fall of first wicket) and on a run of great run scoring form, and steadied the ship together with Adrian. Worth mentioning here is the introduction of Mr. Tim de Leede in to the bowling attack, who pegged the scoring rate back with his guile and a good line and length to back it up. After cruising for the most part, Adrian fell with a lapse in concentration and Shaun followed thereafter. Full credit must go the VCC skipper for persisting with attacking field positions till very late in the innings. Diedrik looked well set to take Kampong over the finishing line with intelligent batting, but wickets falling at regular intervals on the other end, it was always going to be touch and go. Once Diedrik fell in the last over, VCC wrapped up the tail and won the match.
VCC were able to hold their nerves in a tightly contested 2nd innings throughout, and were deserved winners in the end.
On the field, it was evident that the last match report by this “reporter” had touched on a few raw nerves, with some of the opposition players not being able to read it, digest it and then “get over it”. On the other hand, intellect and word-play does not come easy for some.
Off the field, a big thanks too Kate, our scorer, who supports us in the worst of the weather conditions, much appreciated. Mr. Diepeveen also ran off with the fine of the day, by asking Kampong skipper for a new ball to start their bowling innings. Kampong fine-meister Sean Trouw is not a big fan of such behaviour, so Mr.Diepeveen better pay up when he sees the fine-meister next.
The proud winner of the Village Idiot hat was Josh Valdini for his antics in the field. There was no outright consensus for Thanks For Coming award, so a few people got away with it, this time around. A shout out to the VCC professional-coach and the the keeper Mr.Kingma for getting out to a rather lazy, dibbly-dobbler with no apparent skill on the field, boosting his rather appalling bowling figures.
Finally, a big thanks to all the followers of this match report section namely the Kampong supporters on our homepage, the facebook page and the VCC fans who seemed to have taken a liking to these reports. Thanks for Reading!
Yours truly,
Saurabh Zalpuri
Part time dibbly-dobbler, part time reporter, full time “cricket-banter” enthusiast.
|
