Pirates vs Tongji Washed Out

The match between the Pirates and Tongji University over the weekend was rained out midway through the Pirates innings.

Pirates waiting for the game to start

Tongji in the field during the first over

Shit Shoes lost another toss, and the Pirates were put into bat. Alex Cumming (21) began with a lovely off-drive for four, and the opening partnership, together with Suresh Kumar (42), took full advantage of the short boundaries at the Tongji field. Kumar was particularly elegant through and over the leg side, effortlessly finding the gaps in the field.

Alex Cumming smashes the first ball to long-off for four

Suresh Kumar hits a boundary on his way to 42

The Pirates lost a couple of quick wickets as first Cumming top edged a pull to be caught at midwicket, and then Dayne Wotton (2) was given out L.B.W. after a dramatic appeal from the bowler. It was one of those appeals which kept going and increased intensity until the umpire finally relented and lifted the finger. Skiddy (22*) began with a straight six. I repeat Skiddy hit a straight six first up and thereafter, batted aggressively and practiced his shot through backward point.

Skiddy practicing his cut shot through backward point

Skiddy hits one straight

It had been gloomy all morning, and the first light rain began after the tenth over. Play was resumed after a short break, and Kumar was then caught behind, to be replaced by Mukul Singh (5*), who barely had time hit a boundary before the rain began again in earnest with the score at 112/3 off 12 overs. The rain got progressively worse, and when both teams were forced to take shelter in the cramped storage sheds, the captains called off the match. Fortunately, there was an esky of asahis and ciders to finish off!

The rains came down

The next Pirates game in the SCA League is coming up on the 23 September against Huazhen in Songjiang, and some practice nets will be arranged for this coming Saturday.