PATTAYA, Thailand – Sunday 2 February saw Pattaya CC on another away trip to the Thai Cricket Ground (TCG) against The British Club CC on a hot windless afternoon. Last week PCC had managed to progress to 3rd place due to The Bangkok Blues’ CC loss to the Bangkok Club and The BBCC had just lost to Kerala Strikers in the morning match at the TCG, so there was a distinct possibility that PCC could get to 2nd place and a top 4 place would be assured.
The British Club’s unexpected defeat to Indorama had put them out of contention, but they were determined to give a good account of themselves and the score belied their creditable performance. The British Club opening bowlers were very effective and a sub-par score of 150 looked a possibility as PCC lost wickets, but the PCC middle-order rallied to score 215 for 6. The British Club early batsmen were overpowered by the PCC bowlers but their tailenders showed great spirit and pushed the score to 112 all out. PCC won by 103 runs and advanced to 2nd place in the league after a poor start.
Andy Emery conducted the toss with Pramodh Kamalakannan as witnessed by umpires Sanjeev and Samad. Andy won and decided to bat first on a pitch with little bounce and a fast outfield. PCC opened with Luke Stokes and Morgan Prior who faced very accurate deliveries from Pramodh. Talal Sanoon bowled next and immediately made in-roads into the PCC line-up by dismissing Morgan, bowled for 1.
Mike Gerits took the crease but failed to make a mark as 2 overs later he was also dismissed by Talal, this time LBW for 4 – a somewhat iffy decision bearing in mind the bowler’s action and Mikes long legs. 15 for 2 after 4 overs and an undesirable start. Ben Walter was the next to bat. Tyrone Bond was the first change of bowler with the score on 21 for 2 after 6. Tyrone bowled well but Tilal got hit for 13 in one over as the run rate climbed a little.
Dilip Mishra entered the bowling attack and a No Ball got hit for 4 and the free hit for 6 as Luke took charge. 45 for 2 from 10 was nearly on par. Dilip was replaced by Avaneesh Chopra who quickly made his mark when Ben got a bottom edge which just carried to the keeper for 10, 64 for 3 off 12 and PCC were rattling along, but needed to retain wickets. Andre Human entered. Sagar Puthran got to bowl but was punished by Andre for 16 in one over and the score advance to 83 for 3 off 14, still somewhat behind par.
Luke was on 47 in the 15th over when he was deceived by an unplayable ball from Avaneesh which clipped the top of his off stump. 87 for 4 and drinks were taken. Habby Singh replaced Luke and went on a run-fest with Andre. Boundaries galore from both batsmen as the run rate rocketed and forced Pramodh to return to the attack but the score had advanced by 49 runs in 4 overs to 136 for 4 off 19. Andre went for 44, caught behind off Pramodh, 137 for 5.
Karan Mehta went in and was dropped 2nd ball by Avneesh as Habby plundered for 6’s. Dilip and Ed Khan were both battered around the ground as the score raced passed 150 in the 22 over, but PCC were not letting up. Habby was run out by Talal after the ball hit the non-striker’s stumps in the last over. Karan then treated the spectators to a batting extravaganza with 4 sixes off the last 4 balls for 50 not out and a PCC score of 215 for 6.
The British Club didn’t have the firepower to chase 216 but they would do their best. Mak Khan and Tyrone Bond opened for The British Club whilst Andre and Habby opened the bowling. Both bowlers were pushing the ball along at a fair pace and the batsmen were scoring 4 an over. Habby struck first in the 4th over with a superb caught and bowled low down and Tyrone went for 6. Avaneesh went immediately as he top-edged a ball to Mike Gerits at mid-on for a golden and The British Club were 16 for 2 after 4 overs.
Ben Eastwell took the crease whilst Vishnu bowled at searing pace and clattered Mak’s stumps for 10 in the 5th over. Ben and Sagar managed to add some runs over the next 3 overs before Ben was LBW to Vishnu for 7, 36 for 4 in the 9th. Ben Walter entered the bowling attack and kept the batsmen under wraps at 43 for 4 after 10 overs. At this point there was not much between the teams but The British Club needed to retain wickets, but they were unable to do so. Andy and Marcus Chaulkey took over the bowling and soon sent players back to the tent.
Sagar was the first to go, bowled by Andy for 13 in the 12th over and the next over saw Ed Khan, who had hit a couple of boundaries, was bowled by Marcus for 9, 53 for 6 in the 13th and the writing was on the wall. Would the British Club make 100? No further wickets were taken before drinks, although Aakash was dropped by Ben. 3 balls after drinks, Lenny Tui was bowled for 2 by Andy and the next over saw Pramodh well caught by Luke for 3 at short cover off Marcus, 77 for 8 after 17 overs.
Finally, The British Club show some grit and determined resistance as Aakash and Talal start making runs from all of the PCC bowlers who appeared to have gone off the boil. Aakash got confused and himself run out by the combination of Luke and Jainish Parikah for a creditable 28. Talal got consecutive boundaries off Habby before skying a ball to Andre for 18 and the match finished with one over to spare and The British Club were all out for 112.
This a very complete performance from PCC and with one match remaining, might retain 2 place and an easier route through the finals stage. No match next week for PCC, so see you in 2 weeks. The MotM award was given to Habby Singh for his 46 runs and 3 for 21 from 4 overs with special mentions to Luke and Karan.
PCC would like to thank their sponsors, the Outback Bar, the Magic Bar, and the Pattaya Sports Club for their support and assistance.
