Pattaya Cricket Club travelled to the new Thailand Cricket Ground near the international airport to take on Thailand Cricket Club in the Bangkok Premier League. PCC fielded an experienced side against a TCC side that remarkably resembled the Thai national under 19’s XI who were preparing for the forthcoming ASEAN International Tournament starting on Monday.
It was apparent the wicket had been well watered and upon losing the toss PCC were asked to bat in the 40 over game. John Giuffrida and Giles Mongare opened the innings and found runs hard to come by against a lively and youthful bowling attack. The ball seamed in all directions but the openers stuck to their task and dug in to slowly accumulate runs before their 49 run partnership was broken by an inswinging yorker that removed John G’s off stump.
Batting continued to be a war of attrition as the spinners were introduced who turned the ball prodigiously on the slow but drying surface. The Captain Simon Philbrook (33) and Dave Booton (17) showed their experience as they added a further 55 runs before 3 wickets fell with score on 120. It was left to Lindon Giuffrida to guide PCC to a total of 144 for 9.
The pick of the TCC bowlers was Jai who finished with 4 for 35 from his 8 overs of left arm wrist spin.
The PCC bowlers had to bowl well from the start and they certainly delivered. Salman bowled full and straight and as the batsmen went back the umpire’s finger went up: 3 times in fact in the first 4 overs and Salman had figures of 3 for 17.
Then Usman, bowling left arm quick, bowled with immaculate control to keep the pressure on. The wicket was drying quickly under the sun and the surface was beginning to deteriorate rapidly. It was not long before the accuracy of Usman paid dividends and wickets started to fall again. The middle order collapsed under the relentless pressure and the bowler merited his man of the match figures of 4 for 27 from 8 his overs.
Leon Bouter took care of the tail to ensure they bowled out their opponents for 88 runs and in doing so secured the 2 extra bonus points.
PCC’s next BPL fixture is on Saturday 5th February at Horseshoe Point from 10 a.m. against the form side Siam CC. Anyone wishing to play or get involved with PCC please come along to nets every Friday from 4 p.m. at HSP. See our website at www.pattayacricketclub.com.
