Finchley CC U11s A vs North London CC

Monday June 20th

This weeks’ report courtesy of Rishi Tibarewala*:

Deja vu, is it?? Another Monday evening, another north London match, another dress rehearsal for the eventual long-awaited final next Monday. Both these teams are at it again trying to build on momentum and get a heads up before the final.

Finchley starts off by winning the toss and deciding to bat first after they chased down the total last game. Oh, that's interesting!! Change in the batting order as Dawud and Matias walk out to open the inning. Didn’t saw that coming. However, the experiment doesn't last long as Finchley lose their first wicket in the second over. Ah, another one followed by one more. That's the top 3 gone in 3 overs, leaving Finchley 7 for 3. That's something we are not used to, but we still have an arsenal in the garage. Have we given the moral advantage to NL? Didn't turn out the way we wanted, did it?

Over to Aarav and Sachin, batting at 4 and 5 to stabilise the innings and get a score on the board. They start nervously before Aarav opens up and gets 3 beautiful boundaries. Looks like we are making a move. Oh wait, what happened there? Aarav is given LBW - a good looking 18 runs cameo comes to an end. Looks contentious, Aarav is surely not happy and so are the parents on the boundary line. Just when the boys look settled there is a jolt. 24 for 4 now as Aryan strides out at 6. Big job ahead. Sachin and Aryan put their head down and start working off singles. A nudge here, a pat there, a beautiful boundary for Aryan and Sachin each and they have slowly put on nice 32 before Aryan is out for 8 making it 56 for 5. The wicket brings Rishi to crease. Will there be a move on now, surely has to be? He is into his stride straight away by hitting a couple of boundaries to midwicket. Sachin at other end also gets couple of boundaries to keep the scorecard ticking. Another 4 to square leg for Sachin before he holes out to a great catch - out for a solid 28 that steadied the ship. Aman comes in. Rishi keeps on getting quick runs like he usually does as score goes past 100. Another 20 odd runs to make it a competitive score but with Rishi at crease and Rayaan to follow you never know. Another 4 for Rishi, couple of 2s for Aman before Rishi holes out trying to clear the boundary for a well made 31 off 24 deliveries. Rayaan walks out like a cat on a hot tin roof as he gets into his innings with a flurry of effortless boundaries. What a finish this is turning out to be. Rayaan (26 of 13 balls, straight out of the IPL book of hitting) has flexed his muscles to help Finchley post 146 which looked so out of reach at one stage. What batting prowess in last 5 overs. Safe total to defend? You got to believe so, but cricket is a funny game.

So, after a quick turnaround, Sonny and Judah start the Finchley pursuit for another win. Sonny gets into it with a nice opening over which fetches him an early wicket and Judah at other end is bowling quick making the batsman hop all over the place. After a good 4-over burst from these two, Aman and Rishi take charge as run-making becomes increasingly difficult for NL. Rishi gets a breakthrough to put an end to a flourishing partnership. Another bowling change sees the introduction of two of our leggies - Aryan and Rayaan. Rayaan gets a wicket making it 3 down which further tightens the grip on the game as runs have completely dried up. Another bowling pair change puts Sachin and Seyan to the bowling board. They complete another steady 4 overs with Seyan getting on the wicket column. Just 70 on the board after 17 overs before Dawud and Matias come on to wrap up what has been another clinical performance by the boys.

That win makes it 8 in 8 and puts the boys in the great frame of mind before the final. And we will do this all again next Monday!

Thanks Rishi, a very capable stand-in. Bit late in filing your copy though…people have been asking and I don’t want to tarnish the image of the reporting team. Something to work on there in the journalist nets…