Grammar FP’s 2nd XI were happy to welcome Grade 3 newcomers Knightriders to Rubislaw for the first time since joining the Grades. The immaculately kitted out Knightriders were obviously keen to play at Rubislaw as all eleven were out practising on the outfield over half an hour before the match was due to start, some 45 minutes before Magesh was due to show up.
FP’s team had to make four changes from the Stonehaven match, out through injury went Johnston and Blues, Graham Ramsay was unavailable and his agent Ian Goodenough was en route to the beaches of Majorca on a ‘talent scouting’ mission. Into the team came Kieron Whyte, Karthik, John Davey and 2nd XI debutant Pehlaj.
FP’s captain Rob Fryer won the toss and asked Knightriders to bat on a bright but very windy afternoon.
Whyte opened the bowling from the Pavillion end and Nick Blyth opened from the burnt out shed end. It was Whyte struck first in his 3rd over when he made great ground to his right to get under a mistimed drive by Nishad and held onto an awkward catch at mid on.
New batsman Rashid, fresh from his big hundred the previous week, was soon out bowled middle stump by Blyth for 3, KR 33 – 2 off 8 overs.
The FP’s fielding early on was sharp with Frizzell in particular looking lively, Sandeep kept busy, and keeper Pehlaj did well to reach some wayward legside bowling.
Manas first scoring shot was a great drive for four through the covers, and opener Balaji and Manas were scoring well. But in the 16th over Whyte had Balaji very well caught at 2nd slip low down by Doug Russell. The previous ball Whyte had the foresight to turn down the ridiculous idea of moving Russell to gully. KR 67 – 3, Balajiout for 34 (1 x 6, 4 x 4).
Only three runs had been added when Magesh, who had replaced Blyth, bowled new batsmen Vinoth middle stump for a duck. KR 70 – 4 off 15 overs. A good comeback by Magesh who had unusually gone for 11 runs first over.
Knightriders skipper Mohan and Manas then put on 64 runs against some tight bowling by Magesh and Rama. Bowling with a gale force cross wind had been a steep learning curve for Rama, but following an over where keeper Pehlaj was given a good work out, normal service was resumed by Rama.
The partnership was broken by Davey when he bowled Mohan for 28 (5 x 4), KR 134 – 5. Davey bowled an excellent spell of 8 – 1 – 27 – 1 and was unlucky with a couple of close calls.
New bowler Karthik took a wicket in his second over when he bowled Prashanth for 1, KR 135 – 6. Manas was looking set for a fifty, but Karthik had him caught behind by Pehlaj for 45 (1 x 6, 6 x 4) KR 157 – 7, 35 overs.
Selva and Kannan were beginning to look for sharp singles, and FP’s looked a bit ragged at times with a couple of overthrows helping the batsmen.
Whyte had returned and his extra pace was too much for Kannan as Rama took the catch, KR 179 – 8 off 40 overs. Magesh and Whyte bowled out the KR innings, and Magesh took a wicket with the last ball of the 46th over when Vera was given out LBW for 8, leaving Selva 33 n.o. (4 x 4), KR final total 202 for 9.
FP’s bowlers stuck to their task well against a powerful KR batting line up, with Whyte bowling 12 – 1 – 33 – 3 and Karthik 5 – 1 – 31 – 2, Magesh 10 – 0 – 44 – 2.
Fryer and Rama opened the batting, but Fryer was soon out bowled by Prashanth for 3 runs, and in Prashanth’s next over, Blyth was bowled for 1, FP’s 33 – 2. Rain threatened to spoil the match, but the strong wind soon dried the outfield. Rama was batting very well, scoring boundaries with great drives through the offside, but was unexpectedly bowled by Nishad for 40 (4 x 4) FP’s 58 – 3. If only his supporters had been there to inspire him further.
Davey and Pehlaj were facing some accurate bowling by Nishad and Manas, and a frustrated Pehlaj was out bowled by new bowler Mohan for 8, half his runs coming in one beautifully timed flick off his legs. FP’s 86 – 4, 30 overs.
Davey was given a life when badly missed at cover, and was scoring mainly in singles, but did hit the shot of the match, a drive through mid off for four. Prashanth was brought back into the attack, and took the important wicket of Davey when he bowled him for 47 (6 x 4), FP’s 110 – 5, 36 overs.
A win for FP’s was now highly unlikely especially when Frizzell was dismissed giving mid wicket catching practice off a full toss for 9 (1 x 4), FP’s 114 – 6.
In seasons gone by a full scale batting collapse would have taken place, but Karthik batted with great concentration to deny KR another breakthrough.
Once Whyte had smashed three boundaries and was reminded that there are draws in cricket, he dusted down an immaculate forward defensive stroke never seen before in the 2nd XI, and both batsmen then batted out the last few overs to give FP’s a well deserved draw.
Knightriders are a strong all round side who will prove to be hard to beat in Grade 3, and FP’s can be quite satisfied with the result which leaves them still unbeaten in Grade 3 against top opposition.
Man of The Match – John Davey, top scored with 47, one wicket and fielded well
Champagne Moment – Doug Russell’s catch at second slip illustrating Whyte’s tactical genius, or deafness in a strong wind.