2nd XI

Saturday 30 May 2009

Blue sky, green fields and whites on, and the yelling voice of the skipper – what more could the players ask for!

Every week, we sing praises of a couple of individuals that shone during the game and no mention is made of the super support team in place at our club. Shaheen, Kareem, Rizwan, Sanjay and especially Manoj. Manoj you are producing belter tracks and the bowlers will be coming after you soon!

Southall’s skipper Kashif decided to bat and was given a good start by Reza Malik and Avtar Dhutti. For some strange reason the OCC attack was not really fired up for the top of the table clash but after a few boundaries, Naved Hanif (returning after 1.5yrs rest!) picked up the pace by a yard or two to knock down the stumps of dangerous Avtar, whilst Adil Siraj just kept passing the edge of the stumps and bat from the other end. Drinks came on and after that Umar Khattak (5 wickets again!) & Aman Buttar (3 wickets), the strangle started – Southall’s innings ended 137 in 40 overs. Catch of the match to Kaleem Abbassi at 1st slip.

Another feature this year has been the super tea(s) enjoyed by all at OCC.

Aman Buttar took over the captaincy as the rotation system of bowlers and batters extended to the captaincy in the second half! Off went Kaleem Abbassi (58 not out retired) and Mandip Sohi, another 50 with the customary 6’s – forcing fielders on the boundaries for both openers after a few overs. Buttar shouting out the instructions asking for new batsmen, got his wish as Aslan Yaseen stroked 3 or 4 beautiful boundaries (next week the 16 yr old gets to open the batting) and at the other end Rahul Chaudhary finished off the game against his old club with a couple of boundaries. 138 - 2 in 27 overs.

Nadeem.

Saturday 23 May 2009

An Indian summers day at Indian Gymkhana ground was enjoyed as Osterley continued its domination in the local derby(s). Toss won by Osterley and were soon terrorising the IG opening batters. Aman constantly battering the batters gloves and Khattar at the other end cutting the ball left, right, up and down. Jesus, its hard keeping to these guys and since they were not getting tired or going to let anyone else have a go, the keeper needed a rest from them, after taking out the top 4. Indian Gym had their most experienced and senior batters at the crease in Suki and Archiya, facing the super young talented Zeeshan Ali and Gerard Lee (mate, check Dean Headley picture please!).

The fearsome Sri Lankan tiger Susil Perera with all claws extended came on and what words can describe 5 overs 3 maidens, 5 wickets for 10 runs!!

Catch of the match goes to 15 year old Aslan Yaseen.

OCC’s AB team (Abbasi & Buttar) opened the innings hoping to fill their bellies with runs as the tea was very limited, clearly went for ‘crispy ducks’ (at the local Chinese takeaway)! I think we soon found out who had been eating spinach and probably most of the tea as Mr Mandip Sohi hit some colossal 6’s – must have been 100+ yarders. Oh dear, the tea must have been too heavy as Sohi’s hamstring went but would he give up a chance to bat – yeah, like he would give up one of his samosa’s! This was the perfect opportunity for Buttar to ask Mandip, where had all the tea gone, whilst running for him – great tactic of winding Mandip up and surely why the 6’s got bigger, whilst at the other end Rahul Chaudhary (30) found his touch and got away from being tortured about Delhi Daredevils. Some lovely caressed shots from Aslan, helped Mandip (75 – great entertainment) win the game.
My thanks to all 11 that played and especially those that were called up a couple of hours before the start.

Nadeem.

Saturday 16 May 2009

Osterley visited Turnham Green and lots of green on a wet soft pitch. Derek (skipper) of TGCC decided to bowl and the first few overs confirmed the track was going to stop, be skiddy and nipping about. Zeeshan Naseer (55) and Aman Buttar (90) built great innings and eventually were undone through too aggressive improvision in their shots. A team effort with special mention to youngster Gerard Lee (20) and Adil Siraj (30), both smashing the ball out of the ground, helping the score along and declaration at 240-9 in 50overs.

The pitch having dried out considerably after tea, a different kind of destruction started with M.Khuttar (5-21) knocking the stumps out of the ground with his first ball and that continued, with A.Siraj at the other end taking 4-19 and the game was over in the 18th over with Turnham Green not having a chance to recover.
Fielding of the week: Omer Butt sprinted 40 yards, slide to stop the boundary and threw flat to run out the batsman who thought the 3rd run was reasonable to attempt.

Saturday 9 May 2009

A belter of a pitch meant both captains wanted to bat first but the toss was won by Osterley and so began the innings of Aman Buttar (90) & Kaleem Abbasi (66). Birkbeck’s new ball attack were dead on target and forced Aman and Kaleem to play some extra ordinary improvised shots. When Kaleem fell, Mandip Sohi (48) took over and showed plenty of aggression – ‘what else do these guys know’, I heard at the boundary line. A couple of 6’s into the neighbouring trees from both Aman and Mandip and it was like watching an IPL match. Birkbeck defended well in the last few overs and restricted the score to a below what Osterley might have hoped for but declaring at 262-5 in 50 overs.

After tea, Ali Haider (54) and Arshad (42) showed guts and great determination after a hostile spell from A. Buttar and M.Khuttar. Caps knocked off and the body hit, but the batters speed away at 6 an over with the aid of a few top edges! It seemed to be M.Sohi’s day (6-36) and partnered by Susil Perera (2-40), the pair planned clever field settings and attacked the wickets. Birkbeck feeling the wicket was easy going, felt they were still in the game and only ended the chase in the 42th over with Jawad (skipper) holding out with his tail, which was almost knocked over by 16 year old Zeeshan Ali. Birkbeck held on 184-9 after 50 overs.

An enjoyable game and look forward to the return game.