Fielding unit dumps a loss to WCC
Nobody knows if this is really a pattern that WCC creates Match on Match (with 1 loss following every 2 wins this season), but all of us were sure that we had not practised for a month – and that really showed. Agreed that the ENGINEERs XI were a good side, but the way in which we responded on the field was pathetic. Leave alone the missing usual vigilance was on the field – even the fundamentals had vanished. Leave alone the many catches dropped but the basic energy on the field was missing. WCC seems to succumb too easily to good opposition starts – be it batting or bowling.
We had to have a reduced play – as both teams were late – only the degree of the delay varied. We had to accept a reduction of 3 overs as compared to opposition’s 5 overs. Punctuality would have saved the day; I hope we all learn from this. I won the toss and chose to field. Right from the start of the innings, we displayed our poor fielding. Boopal was erring too much in line and length and gave away easy leg side runs. I operated with Sriram, Boopal and Prasanna for the first 7 overs without any breakthrough – and runs flowing easily – bowlers were not on the money. I shifted my concentration to spin with Ashwin and Karthi. Ashwin looked good initially but went for too much in one over. Karthi continued to bowl well but still somehow runs leaked – more than 7 an over on an average. Several bowling changes at either end didn’t yield results as the fielding worsened. Towards the end, Sriram & Vijay controlled the slog and at the end of 25 overs, we had given away 211 runs – double the target we had set on our minds at the start of the match – of which atleast 50 runs would be dedicated to fielding errors – either direct or indirect – and everyone will have to take the blame for it.
We needed a great start and a continued push from all batsmen – but their opening bowlers were spot on. Babloo fell in the 2nd over. RamC was sent ahead to keep the scorecard ticking – but Venkat on the other end played on to his stumps – to end half our hopes at that moment. We promoted Boopal to service the required rate. He looked comfortable from the start, but we did not get as much runs in the opening overs. The opposition never looked to operate a first-change. RamC tried to accelerate, but saw his stump knocked back too. Unlucky Murali got another horrible decision of his life – the dreaded finger rising up after the opponents extended their appeal. Mike Denness wouldn’t have found that interesting – even we didn’t. Sriram and Boopal played out the overs, but never seemed like pushing for runs – that was the stage where we portrayed to the opponent that the match was 100% theirs. I felt that a 10 over 90 was still achievable in the end if we could get ourselves to that position – the only confidence was that the opposition had exhausted the pair of their opening bowlers and had lesser quality bowlers operating the attack at that point. Soon after, Sriram fell and subsequently Prasanna’s hit unfortunately went in the hands of the long off fielder. I went into the pitch at an unusual #8 position and had only one thought in mind – just to keep hitting – as there was no other go. At that point we required more than 13 runs an over and that was the only solution. I started off with a single and in the next over, smashed a fast bowler to 2 boundaries – one over extra cover and another straight back before top edging another to covers. Ashwin then walked in – at that time there was nothing much to do other than playing out the 27 overs. Boopal accelerated towards the end to boost up his individual score to around 75 – the only good impact of our batting that morning.
It was a day when fielding unit let us down and everyone was a culprit. Little diligence there would have made a tough fight for the opposition. We have to ensure that we practice well before the next match and gain confidence in all departments of the game. Good luck guys….
Aditya Ravindran – Captain, WCC
vijay
Mar 15, 2010 @ 17:37:56
This is the good match to know about more things to be practiced in all the department.
we all should worry about our fielding in this match. Everyone should improve in fielding even me.
lets concentrate on all the department and win upcoming matches with team effort.
Prasanna
Mar 15, 2010 @ 20:09:29
Yeah dude. Nothing went right for us in this match. I am extremely sorry to all you guys that I did not live upto the expectations. Somehow, the energy was low and could not find my rythm. I accept it is mainly because of practice only. But still that is not an excuse! Boopal played really well and Veknat was excellent, as usual, with his fielding. These were the only positives. Honestly speaking I was humiliated by the way Engineers played and outplayed us. It hurts even more that I could not even bowl 50% of what I could. I am finally happy for Adi, his attitude and approach towards batting has changed a lot and this will definitely help him in the future. Look out guys, captain will perform pretty soon 🙂 I hope and pray that we all find our form in the next match atleast….
M.Venkat Sudarsan
Mar 16, 2010 @ 08:50:36
Thanks for the compliments anna. Hope you recover your rhythm soon and decimate the opponents in forthcoming matches. Ya, I too agree with you on ADI anna’s batting. Somewhere I get the feeling that a big knock is in the fringes. Hope he scores soon and do his confidence better which in turn helps his Captaincy.
Cheers.
Aditya Ravindran
Mar 16, 2010 @ 14:35:52
Ye da… I’m getting more confident with batting now. Just have to fine tune temperament a bit. Will definitely do it and i’m sure of it.
M.Venkat Sudarsan
Mar 16, 2010 @ 08:45:43
Frustrating loss this! Sometimes we seem to succumb to good teams. No excuses- Our fielding gets worse match by match. Bhoopal’s knock was a positive one though. Tough luck Murali. Maybe you should have a chat with CSCA umpires regarding the mistakes.
Sriram did a decent job. But there was a big problem the way we approached the game. Late arrival to the venue is something new and the way we were at the field once the opponents got off to a decent start was pathetic. No one bothered to cheer up the bowler. We were almost resigned to the fact that we are going to lose.
And guys Let the loss be a bygone and don’t let the loss affect us. We must put on a good show next match and prove ourselves.
Hope you guys put your hands up next time and put on a stunning fielding performance which is an important aspect of the game. WHAT SAY GUYS?
Murali
Mar 17, 2010 @ 18:32:18
Very disappointing to say the least.. we are short of practice and that showed in the field.. We jus dint get the basics right.. we dint hold on to straight forward catches.. and ground fielding is deteriorating match after match.. we need to do somethin to improve this.. we cant afford to give a boundary in place of a single.. that is proving too much..
and regarding my decision.. i don know wat to do.. i am dejected.. this is adding too much pressure on me.. everytime.. i go in.. this is at the back of my mind and ruins my concentration.. i can only pray for some luck in the upcoming matches…
Guys.. jus forget the loss.. we have one match in hand and we will play our heart out to win it for our beloved team.!!
GO GO GO!!! 🙂 🙂
M.Venkat Sudarsan
Mar 17, 2010 @ 19:44:35
Sure dude! Just leave those decisions behind. You can do wonders with your batting and fielding. You will score runs da. Just be yourself… Cheers!!!
vinod
Mar 24, 2010 @ 13:53:00
Anyways well played guys even though we lost to a good side. There s always a tough period for us in every season. But in this season we started well that will help us to capitalise us in the tournament. Three cheers to WCC. Kudos. hope the victory badge stays clinged to us rest of the season that will make our team chersh a lot!!!! We can surely forget this loss and came back strong. Hard luck……
M.Venkat Sudarsan
Mar 24, 2010 @ 15:04:21
We must never forget any defeat. Instead we must take it to our advantage by learning from it. Let this defeat spur us…