York CC's Rollercoaster Weekend: Wins, Whiffs, and Whimsical Moments

York Cricket Club had an eventful and mixed weekend with back-to-back matches against Mahajana College OBA and Lumberjacks CC. Our team showcased outstanding performances, securing a victory against Mahajana College OBA and putting up a valiant fight against Lumberjacks CC. Here’s a summary of the matches, including some humorous and dramatic moments.

Match 1: York CC vs. Mahajana College OBA

Saturday’s game saw Captain Rafi back from his vacation, and he wasted no time addressing the issue of dropped catches that plagued the team in his absence. A rigorous 30-minute catching drill was conducted, and it paid off with some brilliant catches during the game. However, in a twist of dark humor, Captain Rafi himself misjudged a catch and ended up getting hit in the face. As the ball soared towards him, everyone watched in anticipation, only to see it bounce off Rafi’s eyewear with a resounding thud. Thankfully, his eyewear frame took most of the impact, leaving him with just a mark on his face – a small price to pay for ensuring the team’s catching skills were up to par. Although he was slightly bleeding, he still stayed in the field and did his duties. He also proudly showed off his investment in the Oakley eyewear he was donning, claiming they were now "battle-tested."

Mahajan College OBA Innings: Mahajan College OBA struggled against York’s disciplined bowling attack, managing a total of 94 runs in 33.1 overs. Stephen Williams led the charge with a remarkable bowling spell, taking 4 wickets for just 15 runs in his 8 overs. Shawn Rankothgedra supported him well, claiming 3 wickets for 29 runs. The fielding was sharp, with Kannan Viswanathan’s crucial contributions behind the stumps, including two catches and a stumping. Special mentions to Venkat, making a strong comeback after his injury, Roy, Rajit, and Satish for their excellent fielding efforts.

Key Bowling Performances:

• Stephen Williams: 4 wickets for 15 runs

• Shawn Rankothgedra: 3 wickets for 29 runs

• Echi Fernando: 1 wicket for 12 runs

York CC Innings: Chasing a modest target of 95, York CC reached the goal in just 16.4 overs, scoring 96 for the loss of 5 wickets. Pratha Sawant’s aggressive start (27 off 32 balls) set the tone, while Kannan Viswanathan’s quick-fire 28 off 21 balls, including three towering sixes, ensured a swift victory.

Key Batting Performances:

• Pratha Sawant: 27 runs off 32 balls

• Kannan Viswanathan: 28 runs off 21 balls

Scorecard here: https://cricclubs.com/YorkCricketClubYCC/fullScorecard.do?matchId=914&clubId=1001384

Match 2: York CC vs. Lumberjacks CC

Lumberjacks CC Innings: In the second game, Lumberjacks CC posted a competitive total of 191 runs in 40.5 overs. Vishal Patel’s explosive 69 off 49 balls was the highlight of their innings. Tibish Mathew was the standout bowler for York, taking 4 wickets for 35 runs in his 8 overs, supported by Thaya Thevathasan and Pradap Devaraj, who picked up crucial wickets at regular intervals.

Key Bowling Performances:

• Tibish Mathew: 4 wickets for 35 runs

• Thaya Thevathasan: 1 wicket for 15 runs

• Pradap Devaraj: 2 wickets for 41 runs

York CC Innings: Chasing 192, York CC had a challenging task but approached it with determination. Harry Shivs anchored the innings with a solid 33 off 35 balls. Despite losing wickets at crucial junctures, the middle order, led by Dominic Dumenil’s unbeaten 31 off 32 balls, kept the chase alive. The team displayed excellent teamwork and resilience, falling just short with 189 runs for 9 wickets in the full 40 overs. Special mentions to Sri, Satish, and Echi for their great efforts in fielding.

Key Batting Performances:

• Harry Shivs: 33 runs off 35 balls

• Dominic Dumenil: 31 runs off 32 balls

• Sri Krishnan: 21 runs off 41 balls

• Pradap Devaraj: 23 runs off 45 balls

Scorecard here: https://cricclubs.com/YorkCricketClubYCC/fullScorecard.do?matchId=913&clubId=1001384

Sunday’s Drama: Sunday’s game was filled with emotions and unusual incidents. Several leg-before decisions were not awarded to York CC, causing frustration among the players. The Lumberjacks’ players frequently argued with the umpires and scorers over the ball count, a rare occurrence in matches involving York CC, which prides itself on fair play.

Adding to the chaos, an unleashed dog wandered into the dugout, curiously sniffing our belongings. The dog took a particular interest in Raj’s sock and, after a wild sniffing spree, went absolutely crazy. In a fit of canine madness, it grabbed the wicketkeeper's helmet and darted onto the field. The game was briefly halted as the dog dashed past the 30m circle before dropping the helmet and losing interest. Needless to say, Raj’s sock will now be known as the secret weapon to drive dogs wild.

Despite the challenges, York CC put up a valiant fight. Harry Shivs made a wonderful catch to dismiss the dangerous Vishal Patel, while Pradap Devaraj’s sharp throw resulted in a crucial run-out. Special mention goes to Dominic Dumenil, who tried tooth and nail to chase down the target until the last ball. The fantastic opening spell by Thaya Thevathasan and Kaushik Jay kept the pressure on the opponents.

York Cricket Club’s efforts this weekend highlighted the team’s exceptional talent and determination. We look forward to maintaining this fighting spirit in the upcoming matches. Stay tuned for more updates and continue supporting York Cricket Club!