Match Report
Crusaders narrowly defeated Blue Star, overhauling the target of 151 in the final over, with two wickets in hand. Under heavy skies and following a brief pre-match downpour, Wajih called correctly at the toss and wisely opted to bowl, with the wicket damp and looking two-paced.
The new ball partnership of Harry and Nita soon had Blue Star on the back foot and with the openers consistently beaten by swing and seam, the score barely rose above 2 an over. Indeed the total would have been even less, but for some generous wides from the home umpire. After Spud had spilled a sharp chance at slip, Nita made the initial breakthrough, making a comfortable caught and bowled look ridiculously difficult - he went on to complete an excellent eight over spell of 1-14. It was good to see that Nita has chosen to omit the now legendary slower ball from his armoury.
Spud replaced Harry and immediately removed the other opener LBW for 12 and Jason, after sending a volley of balls down the leg-side eventually got his line right, getting one to clip the top of off-stump to remove Edwards for 3.
At drinks Blue Star were barely past 50 and not showing any signs of mounting a recovery. Wajih rang the changes, bringing Lucky into the attack and he soon took his season tally to 7 wickets, capturing the prize scalp of Goldie (guesting for Blue Star), caught - after some circus work - at slip by Spud and then seeing his 'slow bouncer' carved to Johnny G at backward point.
Blue Star's 40 over total of 151 was due largely to some good counter-attacking batting from Skipper Peters, who remained unbeaten on 72, assisted by Cruze 18 and an Extras count of 25.
Buoyed by Pizza, Chips and Onion Rings, the Skip was confident that the target was well within our compass. As so often this season Crusaders got off to a solid start, with Wajih playing second fiddle to Jagdesh, who was happy to hit over the top of an attacking Blue Star field. Our hosts finally pushed the field back and reaped immediate rewards, with Jagdesh caught in the deep for a fine 46.
Wajih perished in similar circumstances, followed quickly by Chand, Dave and Johnny G and all of a sudden Blue Star had their sights on what had appeared to be an improbable victory. Nita decided the best form of consolidation was to go on the offensive, but after three successive boundaries he popped one up for a simple catch. A few balls later Damon was bowled off his pads and we were staring a defeat in the face at 111-7.
Spud was joined at the crease by Harry and together they scampered singles and turned two's into threes, taking advantage of some aging bones in the fielding side. With the score at 135, Spud joined a long list of soft dismissals, top edging a sweep straight to short mid-wicket.
With still 17 runs required and only 3 overs remaining it was any ones game. Harry and Lucky kept their nerve superbly, with a vital boundary from Harry and a couple of scrambled byes taking us to 150 at the end of the 39th over. Only one ball was needed, with Harry clipping a legside delivery for the required runs.
