Pattaya Cricket Club played Asia United Cricket Club from Bangkok at Horseshoe Point in a 40 over game on Sunday 27th November in a highly absorbing and sometimes bloody encounter.
Electing to bat first, PCC openers Sunny and Debdas provided a solid platform for the innings with an opening stand of 33 before Debdas (18) was caught at mid off mistiming a drive. This precipitated an alarming batting collapse as Zia (5 for 21) the Thai national team fast bowler extracted pace and bounce to rip the heart out of the PCC middle order.
At 85 for 6 and at half way a special innings was required. Sunny, watching as the wickets tumbled around him, was joined by Sodhi and they set about repairing the carnage. Sunny caressed the ball majestically to maintain a respectable run rate whilst Sodhi refused to be flustered as he stubbornly defended his wicket. Sunny’s stroke play was rewarded as he reached a masterful century that ensured PCC would post a challenging total.
The innings momentum was continued after Sunny (101) had departed, caught at long on, by Sodhi (35) and Lucky (23no) and PCC finished on 222 for 8 from their 40 overs.
The PCC bowlers immediately made their intentions known to the AUCC opening batsman as a barrage of fast and hostile deliveries from Jack and Yasir had them hoping around the crease. It was an uncomfortable 10 over spell for Saumik and Vishau but they survived to reach 40 for 0.
A double bowling change saw Sodhi and Mithu alter the course of the match. Sohdi’s orthodox leg spin and Mithu’s off spin complimented each other perfectly and wickets began to fall. Sodhi had Saumik (14) caught off a steepler by Usman who then went straight to hospital to have 5 stitches inserted in his hand. Vishau was caught by a diving Jack who left the field with a badly gashed right knee and Zia was caught by a diving Debdas who left the field with a broken nose having head butted the turf.
The outfield resembled a blood strewn battlefield and with only 8 fielders the PCC captain Simon had some interesting fielding positions to restrict the run rate. But the bowlers performed admirably as Sodhi (5 for 42) and Mithu (4 for 21) wrapped up the innings (109) and PCC won by 113 runs.
Man of the match was awarded to Sunny for his dominant hundred and excellent wicket keeping and a special mention goes to Sodhi for his mature and skillful all round contribution that belied his years.
PCC’s next game is 4th December verses the formidable Bangkok Cricket Club at Horseshoe Point, a team who beat PCC last year, so a battle royal is expected hopefully without the blood.
For more information about PCC please see their website at www.pattayacricketclub.com.
