Pradap Piles on the Runs, Shawn Takes Them Down: YCC’s Turtle-y Awesome Game!

York Cricket Club (YCC) continued their winning streak with another comprehensive victory against ICICI Bank CC Canada last Saturday at Glendon. Despite a challenging day marked by wet conditions and occasional rain delays, YCC delivered a commanding performance, both with the bat and ball, to secure a dominant win.

YCC Batting Highlights:

YCC posted a competitive total of 252, led by another outstanding performance from Pradap. Batting with great control and aggression, Pradap fell agonizingly short of a well-deserved century, scoring 98 off 99 balls, including 10 fours and 4 sixes. His innings anchored the YCC batting, setting up the team for a strong total despite tight bowling from the opposition’s Abhishek, who bowled exceptionally well in the death overs to keep Pradap in check.

Harry also played a crucial role at the top of the order, contributing a solid 62 off 75 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes. His partnership with Pradap was vital in laying the foundation for YCC's innings. Jayantha added 12 runs at the top, while Kannan chipped in with a quickfire 12 off 12 balls to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Extras played a significant role once again, with ICICI Bank CC conceding 53 runs in wides and no-balls, helping YCC to build their total.

YCC Bowling Highlights:

Defending 252, YCC’s bowlers made quick work of the ICICI Bank CC batting lineup, dismissing them for just 85 runs. Shawn was the standout bowler, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 wickets for 21 runs in 6.5 overs. His disciplined line and length, coupled with crucial breakthroughs, ensured that ICICI Bank never gained momentum.

Echi bowled an economical spell, taking 1 wicket for just 10 runs in his 6 overs, including 2 maidens, tying down the opposition with his tight bowling. Abdul also chipped in with 2 wickets, maintaining pressure during the middle overs with figures of 2 for 20 in his 4 overs. Venkat contributed with 2 key wickets in his 4 overs despite conceding a few runs, showing his ability to strike at critical moments. Rafi rounded off the bowling attack with 2 wickets in his solitary over, wrapping up the innings quickly.

Special thanks go to Rafi, who prepared delicious wraps and warm tea, which were especially appreciated on the wet, stop-start day. The food and tea provided a comforting touch to an otherwise damp day, lifting the spirits of players and supporters alike.

Scorecard: https://cricclubs.com/YorkCricketClubYCC/fullScorecard.do?matchId=961&clubId=1001384

Pic courtesy: Rafi Mohamed

A Great Contest:

The highlight of the day was Pradap’s near-century performance, only to be curtailed by some excellent death bowling from Abhishek of ICICI Bank CC. It was a thrilling contest between bat and ball, adding excitement to an already engaging game.

Incident on the Field: Baby Turtle Rescue

During the match, while YCC was fielding, Echi spotted a baby turtle making its way across the playing field. The little turtle, identified as a baby Spotted Turtle, had likely strayed onto the field from the nearby waterbody. The turtle was carefully picked it up and safely relocated it back to a trail close to the stream. Players are reminded to keep an eye out for these tiny visitors, as there could be more making their way across the field. Let’s stay vigilant and protect these tiny creatures as they make their way safely back to their natural habitat.

Ball Quality Update:

This match saw the introduction of a pink CA ball, which proved beneficial in more ways than one. Aside from appearing to be of better quality, the bright pink color made it significantly easier to retrieve from the woods when struck for boundaries. The reduced time spent searching for the ball in the bushes helped minimize game delays, a welcome improvement for players and spectators alike. However, due to the wet conditions, the ball became soggy and hard around the 20-over mark, leading to its replacement with a semi-new used ball during YCC's innings. The ball's performance under different weather conditions will continue to be observed.

Upcoming Fixtures and Season Close-Out:

YCC is entering the final phase of the season with the following fixtures:

• Saturday, September 14th - Rajput CC

• Sunday, September 15th - Rising Stars CC

• Saturday, September 21st - GTA Mitron CC

• Saturday, September 28th - Intra Club

The season will conclude with the 2nd Annual York End Of Season Social on October 5th at 6 PM. Members, players, and supporters are all invited to celebrate another successful season of cricket.

Current Season Standings

As of now, York Cricket Club has shown a strong performance this season:

• Total Games Played: 23

• Victories: 15

• Defeats: 6

• No Result Matches: 2

Conclusion:

York Cricket Club is looking forward to maintaining their strong form as they enter the final phase of the season. The introduction of the pink ball proved to be a positive change, aiding in visibility and reducing game delays. As the season winds down, the club will continue to monitor equipment performance and enjoy the exciting matches ahead. A special reminder to all: be mindful of the little Spotted Turtles that might wander onto the field; let’s keep our eyes open and help them stay safe. Well done, YCC!