Commonwealth brightens a dreary day

(By: Nafis Ahmad, Commonwealth C.C)

Commonwealth started the defense of their crown with a scintillating win on a damp and dreary day of spring. After a long wait the boys took the field in their whites, looking luminous under a dripping, grey sky. But it was only the elements that were dark, as some good cricket was played in Roberts Field by both teams to brighten the day.

After winning the toss, Guyana decided to bat. The opening pair of Radesh Baldeo and Inshan Mursalin took center stage, against a well-composed Commonwealth attack. Sai Vajha drew first blood as he went through the defenses of Inshan. Sameer was bowling well from the end, and pretty soon had Radesh caught in the gully, by Sai. The introduction of seasoned Kampta brought some normalcy to the proceedings and along with G. Golcharan, he started to build the Guyana innings. Sai was having one of those days and he soon put an end to Goolcharan’s innings by having him caught behind.

The arrival of the stout and talented Sharaz Baksh to the crease was an important event. He looked settled down after a few overs and a furious straight six off Sai, but the latter got his revenge by bowling him straight through the gate. With Baksh departing, Kampta was the last hope for Guyana, and he played well for his 35 until Fazal had him caught behind.

At this point Commonwealth was looking very firmly placed with the top order dismissed but they had not accounted for the diminutive Steve Nowrangilal. Steve batted valiantly showing some good strokes and plenty of power both sides of the wicket. He batted comfortably with the tail and took the score to a competitive 201. It was his rallying effort of 76 runs that put the match in a balance, as any score above 200 at Roberts Field, with a heavy, drenched field would be a challenge. Guyanese cause was enhanced by some dropped catches and untidy fielding some of which can be attributed to the wet conditions and lack of match practice. An honorable mention was the clean work behind the wicket by Nataraj, snapping some really good catches.

Commonwealth started the chase with the left and right combination of Basu and Natraj. After settling down, Natraj started to pick the bowling and played his trademark flicks off the leg. He made a brisk 26 studded with four boundaries. Base played one on and was removed while he was at 20. That brought the pair of Qasim and Ali together, who in their last game at this venue had a match-winning, unbroken partnership. Qasim smashed a few but was done in by his notorious, one-handed slash, getting caught at the deep point boundary. Ali was joined by his captain, Fazal and the two of them started to bat like champions. Ali, in his sedate and resolute manner, was piling runs, like a well-oiled machine, whereas Fazal was emphatic, as ever, in his force and intent. They entertained with some batting flourish and very athletic running between the wickets. Guyana was reduced to a spectator by that point and their misery was finally over in the 36^th over. Ali and Fazal returned unbeaten with 64 and 57 respectively, to give Commonwealth their first victory of the season by 7 wickets and plenty of overs to spare.

The weather remained gloomy throughout the day, but Commonwealth sparkled, largely due to the batting heroics of Ali and Fazal. Such sparkle was only matched by the Guyanese hospitality as they served some hot food to some drenched and shivering cricketers.