Match Report: 5-Match Rivalry Series - June 11th, 2006
LVCC too strong for LCRC as the Xpress clinch the series decider with a convincing win
Result: LVCC win by 45 runs ; Scorecard
Sunday, June 11th 2006:
Las Vegas Cricket Club were too strong to handle for LCRC as their batting order crumbled to a well-optioned Xpress bowling attack. Jahangir played a vital inning of 62 to help secure the series win.
Avi and his team led a formidable campaign against LCRC in a game 5 series decider. The Xpress looked in trouble earlier in the innings as their top order batsmen failed to produce runs. Lenin was the only one in the opening pair who looked in good form, but poor shot selection got him out cheaply at 15. Jahangir showed great determination in his innings of 62. He single-handedly took control of the game early on by smashing some great shots around the park.
Jahangir with the help of Aurangzeb, stabilized the batting by putting on a 55 run partnership. His second highest partnership of 63 runs was aided by Jahanzeb who has been showing good technique and form with the bat. The Xpress got some help from the LCRC captain as well who couldn't seem to get a proper aim at the stumps. His spell consisted of 13 wides and the team extras surmounting to 48 runs was the second highest score for the first innings. The lower order, with the exception of Jahanzeb and Adnan did not show much success with the bat as the Xpress were happy to set a target of 191 runs.
LCRC did not help their cause from the start as they lost quick wickets, thanks to an all-around performance by Auranzeb. His streak of wicket-taking continued as he took two scalps during his spell. Anupam provided some venomous outswingers during his spell as he managed to take some key wickets earlier in the innings. The "A's" duo contiuned to dominate the batsmen, adding extra pressure for the middle-order batsmen. The LCRC batting looked completely helpless, but Shanta managed to add some balance to the lineup as he scored a dashy 30. Bindu, who showed great form in game 4, added another 43 runs to the total as LCRC looked to sieze control of the game.
Determination and the hunger for wickets was the main highlight for the spinning duo Nasir and Ankit who bowled some amazing deliveries to rattle the LCRC line-up. Bindu couldn't handle the turning deliveries offered by Ankit and eventually gave his wicket away to an unplayable delivery. Ankit, who has been in disarray with the bat came out strong toward the end as he proved his all-rounder capabilies. The LCRC batting could not handle the flames set ablazed by the Xpress and fall short 45 runs as they all got out for 155 run with 2.4 overs to spare. The Xpress showed great domination in all aspects of the game as they deserved the series victory.
Avi's leadership on and off the field has been incredible and has proven himself to be the right person for the job. The Xpress has seen tremendous success since the leadership change a few months ago. With the end of the series and the morale in the dressing being extraordinarily high, the Xpress will be spending a couple of weeks improving their skills before they get on track to play a few other series before the start of the winter league.