Match Write-up Courtesy: Emerio CC

The Div 2 match between Emerio CC and GMIS CC was a testament to the fact that low scoring games can still be humdingers.

A cracker of a contest was expected at the recently relegated teams from Div 1 were clashing at Cibubur under overcast conditions and the outfield covered in dew. A bold GMIS CC opted to bat hoping to put a score and defend as both teams had not done well chasing in the past. As with umpteenth time, Emerio started well with the new ball keeping things tight that resulted in GMIS opener, Karan Tiwari, losing his wicket without scoring in the 5th over. Emerio kept up the pressure leading to wickets falling regularly while the other opener, Ajeet Bhatt (35 off 46 balls) kept ticking at the other end. David Surjit (4-21 in 7 overs) was in particular almost unplayable while Maneesh, Karthik and Anji were very disciplined and supported him admirably. The introduction of Harish Vaidyanathan (2-16 in 3 overs) immediately fetched the wicket of Ajeet and giving Emerio an opportunity to get GMIS CC all out for less than 100. However, Diwakar Mohan (18 off 24 balls), Ishan and Mohammad Imran helped GMIS reach 100. But Karthik (2-16 in 6 overs) and Dilip ensured Emerio did not have to wait longer by cleaning up the remaining batsman as GMIS CC’s innings was wrapped up at 109 in 31.3 overs.

Emerio must have fancied their chances at the halfway mark to win without hassles but that wasn’t to be. Their innings started with Dilip hoisting a 6 in the first over to get things moving. But things took a wild turn as he was drawn into pushing at a ball close to the body by Karan Tiwari which was taken easily by the keeper. The next batsman, Nitin, was unlucky to face the delivery of the match where the ball came back from a good lengh to take the top of his Off stump and peg back Emerio at 8-2. Karan’s threat was neutralized for a brief while by Palwinder Singh (19 off 20 balls) and Manikandan who ensured to keep the innings moving along. However, Karan roared back by dismissing Manikandan, Maneesh and Varun in a space of 3 overs thus ending with match figures of 5-21 in 7 overs. Maulik Trivedi (2-25 in 7 overs) ably supported Karan and the duo caused Emerio to slide from 43-2 to 50-7. Staring at defeat, old heads David and Anji played safe cricket and moved the score to 78. But GMIS captain Naresh introduced himself into the bowling attack and dismissed his opposite number getting the game back in GMIS’s favour. David and Karthik kept ticking the score along to 93 but Mohammad Imran came back to remove David (22 off 44 balls) while Emerio reeled to 93-9. Karthik played a gem of an innings with gorgeous looking drives and Harish maintained his composure as the final wicket pair snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against a spirited effort from GMIS. Karthik finished with 15*. MOM was shared between David and Karthik.

Thanks to Desandri & Ben Burgess from Jakarta Barbarians for umpiring the game