Only today did it sink that we have a new team in this year Regal Cricket league. Still wonder how it was possible to put together such a talented bunch of guys in less than three weeks. As the saying goes, when the time is ripe, things will happen and am so so happy to have a group of great people who love cricket and more importantly play the game with the gentlemanly spirit.
It was supposed to be a cold day and it was indeed only around 55 degrees. But, what a weather we had for this practice game. It was absolutely gorgeous with very little breeze. Can't think of a better weather to start the season with the new team.
It was so nice to see almost everybody at the ground by the slated time. Just shows the commitment and passion of these folks who braved a relatively cold weather to be on time. Thank you guys and hope you will keep this time commitment every time.
Since Warriors were still waiting for their players to trickle in, asked them to bat first. Although I wanted to be full fledged practice game, Sunny requested that we should allow three batsman to bat for twice out. Since this will dilute our focus, agreed to have the repeat batters after six wickets down.
It was a strange feeling to start proceedings since I have not been captain for the last three seasons. Further, out of the twelve in the field, but for Sunil, I have not played with anyone else in a game. Although I have some idea about the fielding abilities of these players, only a match settings, the finer points can be understood. Really thank Warriors for providing this great opportunity for a practice game. Imaging if I had to do this in our our first Regal league game.
Warriors Batting:
Ravi and Jayanth opened the bowling and they both bowled well and was so happy to see them keeping a fuller length and mostly around the off stump. This is exactly what one needs to do with the new ball, making the batsman play, bowling to a fuller length on and around off stump. It was amazing to see even the other bowlers sticking to the same philosophy as I kept a 6-3 field right through the 20 overs game. I doubt whether I can do that in real match situation but is a captain's dream to have such a field setting
Although I had some doubts as to how Ravi will bowl since he was a little erratic in practice and also had some physical discomfort, he bowled really well. Jayanth was no surprise since he is so consistent with his length and line. Since Jayanth can be a crucial wicket taking bowler in the middle overs when batsman tend to accelerate and since he can bowl yorkers in death over, I took him off after two overs and continued Ravi for three overs. When Jayanth came back for one over in the middle and the other for the last over, he did exactly what I anticipated.
Moiz took a nice catch at short covers and in general, the fielding was pretty good which was great to see. Badri and Ravi also took good catches. For the outfield, we had capable fielders in Jayanth, Ravi and Shiva. Since mid-wicket is such a important position, had Jeevan slated for that slot.
Jeevan, Krishna and Jeffrey all bowled well. Jeffrey was a revelation since I had very serious doubts about his fitness and consistency. He bowled with good pace and direction. It was so pleasing to see that he can not only be used as a stock bowler but also as a wicket taking bowler.
Given that the real game is less than a week, ensured that the bowlers were rotated well. It was so nice that I did not have to tell them what to do as all three bowlers bowled fullish length outside the off stump although there were the occasional short balls which will be easy picking for any batsman. Keep up the good work folks. You guys coming in the middle overs set the tone of the match with your consistency. Don't try anything too hard. Just keep it simple and straight although occasionally change in pace will help.
To keep myself in the act, bowled two overs with a surprising one maiden over. Hopefully I don't have to bowl in the games since I expect our bowlers to do a good job and it was so glad to see good bowling combination. When I was penciling in the role for each player, there were very few who opted as a bowler and am all the more glad that we have a pretty good bowling lineup in the cards.
A few tips to the bowlers: Bowl to a fullish length outside the off stump. Although we were able to do with a 6-3 filed for this game, in general, we will have to go with a 5-4 especially after the first few overs. Krishna should bowl a lot slower and fuller since I personally feel that he can every effective if we can tempt the batsman to force the pace.
Warrior made 109 in 20 overs. Jayanth, Ravi and Jeevan bowled four overs; Krisha and Jeffrey bowled three overs and I bowled two overs. Right combination I suppose if everything works out to plan
Experimented with the wicket keeping skills of Abhijit and Sagar who both kept wickets for 10 overs each. Am sure that they have not kept for a while as it showed. Further, it is also a lot harder to keep at the start of the season with the ball not coming on. Anyhow since WK is such an important aspect of the game, need to sort out the primary keeper sooner. Poor Shiv who had to loose out in this since he can be better used as a top order batsman and good out fielder.
Super Kings Batting:
Sunil and Shiv opened the batting and I thought that they were doing OK with good running between the wickets. Unfortunately Sunil got run out. Prasannaah who went one down played for nearly 10 overs, getting good batting practice. However, he needs to improve on running between the wickets. In a 20 overs match, running between the wickets is the most important aspect of the game. If we can score 5 runs per over, we are already at 100. With the occassional twos and boundaries, a score of 130+ is a minimum.
Running between the wickets becomes even more critical at the start of the season with the heavy outfield and ball not coming on as one would like to. Anyhow since this was a practice game, did not really advice any of the batsman since what is more important is for these news guys to get a feel of the bat and get some confidence. Badri, Abhijit and Moize went in middle order and did OK. With more practice and focus, am sure that they will do well. Poor Moize got out probably to the first ball. He is one guy who is almost always the first guy to be in for practice and also stays through the sessions.
Coming to the batting situation, we are really been hampered with the lack of a good bat. Although we got three new bats, all of them are still in the knocking phase. Even the bat we got from Sandeep had a broken chip at the very start itself. But the other new bat, SS seems to be doing OK as demonstrated by clean hitting by Jeffrey and Jeevan later. Jeffrey, Jeevan and Jayanth batted well. All three batsman can hit the ball cleanly and also can run good between the wickets. So long as the top order stays through 12 overs, scoring 60 to 70, we should be good to accelerate with these folks. Ravi who came in last can also smite the ball, all good omens for the team.
Unfortunately Krishna and Sagar could not bat. That's how things go and am sorry about that. Having joined the team through their perseverance by coming for practice sessions uninvited, am hoping that they are glad to be part of the team. But with upcoming games, they will get to do more roles.
Not bad that we made 90 runs as well. Remarkable considering that almost everyone is playing their first game at Regal and many of them totally out of practice for years. Good job team.
Overall, lots of positives. Biggest plus is that fact that I know where everyone can field, what bowlers can bowl, when they can bowl and where guys can bat. Mission accomplished, thanks to dear Warriors
Bowling tips:
- Fullish length on off-stump
- Eliminate wides and no-balls is a big no-no with the free hit in the offering
- Spinner should slow down to make the batsman hit rather than ball coming onto them.
Batting tips:
- Take the first three to four balls to pace yourself, play straight
- Tap and run to keep going and score at run a ball once you are settled.
- Plan on having at least five to six runs per over up to 10 over
Fielding:
- Attack the ball, don't wait for the ball to come to you
- Anticipate balls to come to you. This will help you prepare to take good catches.
Overall, a very positive and pleasant experience in our first match as a team. Exciting day indeed
Go Super Kings
