May Day Test Lumberjack, 1-2 May 2005

SCC Newsletter Report by the Anti-Basher:
The first day of the test was washed out, but the second day became a run fest. The President’s XI amassed 320 in their 40 overs, with Paul Turner, Steve Aikman, Mike Tsesmelis and Denzyl Allwright all reaching the retirement score of 50, and Chad Blewitt also contributing 32. For the PC XI Pete Cain tool 2-38 off his 4 overs, Neal Watkins 2-19 from 3, and John L’Epagniol and Sanjay Anugula bowled economically going for 18 and 15 runs respectively.

The PC XI kept up with the pace from the outset, as in the first innings, extras contributed nearly 70 runs, while James Gooding and Jagath Ratnayake (dropped an amazing 6 times!) retired, John L’Epagniol hit 35 and Sanjay Anugula 22. Going into the last 4 overs the game was very much on still. Mal Collins swung the balance in the President’s XI’s favour, having both Sanjay and David Kagi caught in the same over, but an expensive over from Steve Aikman then kept them in it – David Kagi struck some powerful blows before being dismissed a second time after a run out involving 4 fielders. The penultimate over was bowled by young Jay Gurnani who struck twice and finished with 6 overs 3-40. Steve Aikman bowled the last over with the PC XI needing 21 and the captain himself was on strike. After some verbal sparring Steve charged in and was dispatched for 4 over midwicket and to give the PC XI hope, clearly the President’s XI should have stuck to the 9 fielders on the leg side tactic they had successfully employed to Pete earlier.

Steve struck back next ball, shattering Pete’s stumps, but only to bring in the dangerous Sanjay for a second time who duly thumped his first ball onto the far side of the road making the equation 11 from 3. The next ball was pitched up and inside edged but Bruce Cameron behind the stumps dived to his left to stop a certain 4, a single was scampered and Andy Cameron was bowled next ball to wrap up the match.

Thanks again to Pete for organizing another great day, and a great night afterwards.