Match Report
NCA Winter League Game 2- September 17th, 2006
Xpress handed a crushing defeat to UNLV , beating them by a margin of 126 runs. Jehangir and Nasir played key roles in the Xpress’ emphatic victory.
Result: LVCC win by 126 runs :: Scorecard
Sunday, September 17th 2006:
The Xpress won the toss and did not hesitate to bat on a chilly Vegas morning. With the change in weather, came a change in the opening pair. Sunny and Lenin took charge in a commanding 80-run opening pair partnership. Sunny, who struggled all summer long, took charge by smashing a couple of boundaries in the early overs. Lenin, who was a run short of a half-century in the game 1, showed no mercy to UNLV’s mediocre bowling. His flamboyant stroke play created added stress in the UNLV camp, making them go through several bowling changes before they discovered the right combination to break through the opener’s defense. UNLV definitely showed sign of rustiness and dropped a couple of dollies, giving their opponents a chance to accelerate at a healthy run-rate.
Both Sunny and Lenin were taken out by UNLV in quick succession. Aurangzeb and Jahangir tried to create some stability before the drinks break. However, luck did not favor Aurangzeb after drinks as he soon found himself caught in mid-wicket off Bala’s bowling. Jahangir’s determination to build a solid inning proved successful as he single handedly helped boost the run rate by smashing a slew of boundaries. His rapid inning of 73(52) contained six fours and three sixes (6x4 and 3x6). The middle and lower order faced a major collapse after Jehangir’s departure, but a formidable total of 195 run was already set by the Xpress.
UNLV’s Ragha bowled an expensive spell, but managed to pick up four key wickets as he ended with figures of 4-47 in his allotted six overs. Bala and Vamsi were the other two bowlers who created havoc in the Xpress camp, but their havoc camp later in the inning as the runs piled up.
UNLV were hoping to come out positive, but the Xpress bowlers refused to give in. In the absence of Anupam; Aurganzeb and Avi led the opening attack and were successful in troubling the opening pair. Avi’s seaming delivery was too good for Vijaykartik as Dabir took an incredible catch at square-leg. Club debutant David Cluer took his first wicket in league-play off his second delivery. His nippy action deceived the batsman as he holed out to Aurangzeb at long off. Unfortunately, a string of full-pitch deliveries got carted away to the fence by UNLV batsmen and he ended his spell by giving away 15-runs in his maiden over. The main highlight of the match was Nasir’s incredible 5-wicket haul in the span of 3-overs. His venomous deliveries almost got him a double hat-trick as he bamboozled his victims. Adnan helped in Nasir’s cause as he took a marvelous catch behind the wickets. He also managed to get his second career stumping off Ankit’s spinning delivery. Jehangir, also played a key role in the bowling department by taking a couple of key wickets.
UNLV will be looking to come back after an embarrassing defeat. They do have a formidable line-up but it didn’t click against the Xpress, who are in essence the team to beat. LCRC will also be looking to secure their first win of the series when they play UNLV next Sunday.