Pattaya Cricket Club hosted Asia United at Horseshoe Point in their latest T20 league fixture last Sunday. A sizeable crowd had arrived for the 10 a.m. start as AUCC won the toss and elected to bat first in steamy, humid conditions.
From the sizeable crowd PCC plucked 56 year old Loz from his reserved seat as a 12th man and he was immediately asked to field at fine leg as cover for a late PCC arrival. He was soon into the action diving on the boundary to stop four runs and smashing his expensive sunglasses in the process. It was pointed out to him that trying to dive like a 20 year old was ill advised and the club treasurer gave him 100 baht to replace his beloved sunnies and told him to keep the change as a gesture of goodwill.
Despite Loz’s efforts in the field, the AUCC openers Aasam (40) and Vishnu (49) raced to 82 from the first 10 overs as they exploited the favourable batting conditions and field restrictions. The introduction of Usman (2/17) and Mithu (4/15) in the second half of the innings proved game changing as they strangled the batsmen with an excellent display of line and length bowling to finally restrict AUCC to a competitive 150 for 6.
In reply the PCC openers Sunny and Yasir were immediately faced with a cunning plan to nullify their liking for pace. Walter’s plan A was to open the bowling with his subtly turning leg breaks. Fortunately for the PCC batsmen the subtly turning leg breaks were all pitched full of a length just outside off stump and at a pace that appeared very inviting as the first over was dutifully dispatched for a princely 22 runs.
Plan B, bring on the pace. Walter was very accurate in his belief that the PCC batsmen would enjoy the ball coming onto the bat as the next over went for 12 runs and after 5 overs the score was 67 for 0. Despite several bowling changes the run rate was maintained and at half way PCC were 107 for 2.
Yasir had departed for a brutal 17 ball 41 and John G’s (6) little legs were not quick enough to beat an accurate throw from the boundary as he tried to complete an easy second. It was left to the captain Simon (15 no) and Sunny (76no) whose innings was masterful from the first ball to see the home side over the victory line with nearly 3 overs to spare.
The win leaves PCC in a strong position to qualify for the play-offs as one of the top two sides in their league and when they have such a strong support base that are willing to throw themselves around like teenager, who would bet against them?
For all the details on forthcoming matches and events please refer to the club’s website www.pattayacricketclub.com.
