Captain's report 3 June 2007

Fifteen year old boy wonder bowls lDogs to victory over listless Devils
Hot Dogs CC 154 all out vs Devils all out 86.
On a gloomy day the skipper lost the toss (again) and the Hot Dogswent into bat. After an animated warm up session led by "BollyBop"Deepak, the Devils were fired up as they took the field. It workedwith the Dogs quickly slumping to 22/3 with some spirited fielding --scooping up three good catches -- amid some strong bowling once againfrom Razzaq and Sanjay.
BollyBop's acrobatic catch at cover was a particular highlight.
But that's where the joy ended for the Devils with the Dogs managingto scrape together some partnerships that revolved around Grant whotop scored with hard fought 46.Alex on debut picked up two good wickets in the middle with Arunbowling well at the end to finish with 1/21 off 5. Arun, Sanjay,Buhari and Deepak all picked up one each.

Despite many attempts, we only pulled off one run out from dead eye Newton at long on running out the number 11. With Mayank's two direct hits from two attempts, he has volunteered to become throwing coach.
Raj was valiant behind the stumps in his first attempt letting throughjust a few byes and managing one catch.
But the Dogs still managed 154 before they were bowled out -- theDevils would felt this was 40 more than they should have got – an withthe extremely sluggish outfield was probably more like 190. A respectable score at this stage of the season.
But the Devils came off feeling pumped, and with arguably the strongest batting line up in the league, fancied their chances of victory.

But that's as close as it got with Devils struggling to put bat on ball against a zippy and accurate Dogs attack. All batsmen struggled to find their touch as the sun broke through. The young fella Mark destroyed the top order picking up man of the match for his 4/14 off 7 overs. Waqar was quick and Mike T accurate as they strangled the Devils.
Only BB looked the goods playing confidently for his 25 (with two sixes) and featuring in a 35 run stand for the seventh wicket with DB -- briefly offering a glimmer of hope as they saw off the strike bowlers.
But as the pair opened up Irfan again chimed – finally picking up 3 wickets. Arun smacked a few in the end, but the Devils were bowled out for just 86. Dogs winning by 68 runs.
As Richie Benaud would say (12th man style): "A pretty piss poor effort that!" Having said that I think this was a blimp and I would not expect us to collapse so badly again – let's make this the last time! Next time we shall say "remember, remember the 3rd of the 6th." Take this as inspiration.
Once again the selection committee thanks those who offered to sit out. Next league game is on July 8 at 9am vs the Bashers. However Raj will organize nets this weekend.