Pattaya Cricket Club played their opening Bangkok Cricket League fixture last Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Thai Polo Ground against the early league leaders Chicha CC.
PCC were asked to bat first under sultry skies and with an obviously slow outfield. Venky (6) looked in fine form until he suicidally ran himself out to be replaced by an equally fluent Colin Clark, who dispatched his first ball over the midwicket boundary. The runs continued to flow before Colin (17) and Dan Nicholson (19) both departed in quick succession.
When the captain Simon Philbrook (9) fell to a special catch and the score at 62/4, the innings was in the balance. John Speirs (29) and Paul Hack (37) dug deep and with boundaries hard to come by they worked the ball skillfully around the ground to accumulate ones and twos and keep the scoreboard ticking over. Amongst some vociferous appealing and aggressive fielding a late flurry from Thomas Manoj (11) ensured PCC reached a competitive total of 142 from the allotted 25 overs.
A disciplined bowling performance was required for PCC to control the game and Salman’s 5 overs for 13 runs, ably supported by Thomas, duly obliged as they strangled the Chicha CC batsmen and reduced them to 20/2 from the opening 5 overs.
Dave Scott showed his experience with clever variations of left arm spin and Paul Hack (2/21) demonstrated that long hops can be equally as destructive when Dan Nicholson held a fine catch in the deep and Chicha were struggling at 62/5 from 15 overs. The PCC captain wasn’t sure what was in the bowler’s drinks at the interval but it was certainly effective as Dave (2/17), Thomas (3/13) and John Speirs (3/17) mopped up the tail to close out the game in the 22nd over at 103 all out.
It was the perfect start to the season with plenty of positives in what was a hard fought game with no room for the faint hearted. Salman thoroughly deserved his man of the match award for his miserly opening spell and was backed up by his fellow bowlers in exemplary fashion. The batsmen did not panic in the face of some challenging batting conditions and the team deserved the winning 39 run margin.
Man of the match Salman Khan (centre) with umpires David Lusha and Roger Lucas.
PCC would like to thank the continued support of the Pattaya Sports Club and support of the spectators.
PCC’s next league fixture is Sunday 18th January at Thai Polo Ground from 11am.
Anyone wishing to play, support or just get involved are encouraged to contact the club on its website www.pattayacricketclub.com or visit the club Facebook page.
