Match report (EN)
Bilande Cricket Ground (BCG), Belgium.
Two years ago, Lille Cricket Club (LCC) and 12 Stars Cricket Club played a highly entertaining match with LCC falling just short in spite of Aditya’s heroics. Looking to turn the tide this time around, LCC headed to Belgium for the season-opener. Damp, overcast conditions greeted the teams and the expected bad weather posed a looming threat of the match being a complete non-starter. Finally at 12h45, after a 45 minute delay, the captains came out to the middle and LCC skipper, Alfar called the toss correctly and decided to bat on a slow wicket in a 35 over face-off.
The openers Gareth and Rakibul provided a solid start and saw off the new ball by playing watchfully against the seamers, scoring a run or two with any given opportunity. The 12 Stars bowlers finally reaped dividend in the 6th over by dismissing Gareth and Rakibul departing soon after. Flavien then went about rebuilding the innings with some beautiful stroke play offering eloquent responses to the bowlers questions. LCC were cruising comfortably but the fall of Flavien on a suicidal second run triggered a collapse. Aditya and Alfar were sent back and another run-out (Maxime) left LCC tottering at 55 for 7. The visitors were now under serious threat of being bowled out for under 100. Entering at number 8 was young Nuzmul making his debut. With wickets tumbling in one end, it was again up to Usman to hold fort. Cool as a cucumber, he nursed his rookie partner along initially till the latter got his confidence going. At this stage with 7 wickets down, you expect the tail to fold without much of a fuss but that is precisely when grit shows clearest and mentally, cricket is an entirely different ball game. This showed in a 30+ run partnership between the two players. LCC were 5 runs away from a team hundred when Nuzmul fell lbw for 20 in the 19th over. The quick departure of Florian, made Sricharan join a well settled Usman at the crease. With a little over 15 overs still to be bowled, they decided to try and take it up to the 30th over and then make a final assault if possible. Their “blockathon” would have delighted purists but also showed the ability of this team to fight back when the chips are down, for resilience is a virtue common to all great sides. In a bid to up the scoring rate, Sricharan lost his leg stump to a yorker in the 31st over and LCC were now 113 for 9. Philippe, president of LCC entered the arena playing for a promising finish. He showed immense presence of mind defending his stumps and handing the strike over to Usman when possible. Having held the innings together, Usman went ballistic in the last 4 overs and brought up his half century in style with a six off the last delivery to push the total to 154. What a strong recovery and finish for LCC!!!
The openers Gareth and Rakibul provided a solid start and saw off the new ball by playing watchfully against the seamers, scoring a run or two with any given opportunity. The 12 Stars bowlers finally reaped dividend in the 6th over by dismissing Gareth and Rakibul departing soon after. Flavien then went about rebuilding the innings with some beautiful stroke play offering eloquent responses to the bowlers questions. LCC were cruising comfortably but the fall of Flavien on a suicidal second run triggered a collapse. Aditya and Alfar were sent back and another run-out (Maxime) left LCC tottering at 55 for 7. The visitors were now under serious threat of being bowled out for under 100. Entering at number 8 was young Nuzmul making his debut. With wickets tumbling in one end, it was again up to Usman to hold fort. Cool as a cucumber, he nursed his rookie partner along initially till the latter got his confidence going. At this stage with 7 wickets down, you expect the tail to fold without much of a fuss but that is precisely when grit shows clearest and mentally, cricket is an entirely different ball game. This showed in a 30+ run partnership between the two players. LCC were 5 runs away from a team hundred when Nuzmul fell lbw for 20 in the 19th over. The quick departure of Florian, made Sricharan join a well settled Usman at the crease. With a little over 15 overs still to be bowled, they decided to try and take it up to the 30th over and then make a final assault if possible. Their “blockathon” would have delighted purists but also showed the ability of this team to fight back when the chips are down, for resilience is a virtue common to all great sides. In a bid to up the scoring rate, Sricharan lost his leg stump to a yorker in the 31st over and LCC were now 113 for 9. Philippe, president of LCC entered the arena playing for a promising finish. He showed immense presence of mind defending his stumps and handing the strike over to Usman when possible. Having held the innings together, Usman went ballistic in the last 4 overs and brought up his half century in style with a six off the last delivery to push the total to 154. What a strong recovery and finish for LCC!!!
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