Horse & Hound
Classic Matches: CW Red vs CW Blue OD - 3rd October
by Abhinav Shankar
Thrilling-run chases. Close victories. Despair and defeat. Old-timers, new-stars. Season Nine of the Cricket Web Development League Season was arguably the best yet, with five teams participating, all of them wanting to be the best. There were some classic encounters, and Horse & Hound is there to re-live some exceptional matches, that had other nations looking in awe at the immense talent in the Webhead state system.
CW Red vs CW Blue OD - 3rd October
Red - Stedman, Bennett, Markus, Dauth, Dobson, Gray, Langley, Borcich, Cameron, Watt(c), Edmunds
Blue - Cribb, Fitzsimmons, de Silva, Fuller(c), Crampton, Jellett, Currie, Halsey, Collins, Demeza, Patrick
As the half-way stage of the season was arriving, Cricket Web Blue were streaming ahead in the rankings as Cricket Web Red were slipping fast. Internationals had hurt the Reds side, as many of their players left for the big stage. This left Dave Watt in charge and his captaincy had been inspiring in past games. The Red batting line-up wasn`t hugely affected, with the talent of Stedman, Markus and Dauth and Kenny Dobson was in spectacular form. But the bowling line-up was severely depleted and easily the weak point of the team. Blue still had most of their players and were short-priced favourites to take this one.
Blue lost the toss, and Red elected to bat first at home on a decent deck. The start couldn`t have been any worse. In only the third over, Demeza got Stedman with a shorter one that went straight to `keeper Jellett. Next over, Bennett was plumb in front of middle and off to a Patrick special and the score was 12/2. But the next 20-odd overs were something very special. Markus and Dauth put on a 141-run partnership in good time, with superb running, placement and sheer power. Where Markus was solid, Dauth was outstanding, picking off all the bowlers at will. It wasn`t until over 27.4 where Patrick had Markus caught and bowled that Blue looked to have any chance of keeping the total below 300. At 153/3, Dobson kept the run-rate ticking, giving the strike to Dauth where possible. In the 36th over, Robert Dauth stole a single of Currie and brought up his century off only 99 balls, as the stadium errupted. It was a magnificent knock, one of the finest in OD history, against good bowling. But when Dauth departed for 119 off 120, the Red`s innings self-destructed with a mix of poor running and superb death bowling. Apart from Borcich`s 6, nothing else went the Red`s way as their innings came to a close on 269/8.
Cricket Web Red 269/8 off 50 (Dauth 119, Markus 57, Dobson 33)
A reasonably large target, but with the Red`s young bowling attack, it shouldn`t have been too much of a problem. Blue`s tactic was clear - keep early wickets and then go after the attack later in the innings. They started steadily until Cribb found Bennett at cover off Nick Borcich. Nick and Dave Watt were bowling exceptionally well, keeping the runs at a minimum as Fitzsimmons was content to block and leave. The CW Oval crowd were getting frustrated at the cricket and cheered immensely as Fitzsimmons departed for 28 off 64 walking across his stumps and behind found out LBW. Many of the Blue players now tried to lift the run-rate, and although making starts, eventually found the fielders off the bowling, and a much needed big partnership couldn`t be established.
Captain Fuller was striking them well until an amazing diving take at deep mid-on from Watt and then Jellett did the same as Cameron took a beauty. But the biggest wicket came when Watt bowled a beautiful leg-cutter which the dangerous Crampton edged to Dauth at gully. Blue were 182/5 after 38 overs and in deep trouble.
Halsey and Collins staged a late comeback as Collins hit a six off his first ball of Borcich and then another off him later on. There were 14 runs needed off the last over and Blue were looking like a chance. Watt the captain bravely stepped up, and his first four deliveries were beauties. Only three runs came off them and 11 were needed from 2. The Red players and crowd were already celebrating loudly as Watt ran in for his fifth... as Collins made room and hit it hard! The ball sailed towards midwicket... for four. Seven needed off the last ball and six for the tie. Watt set his field, then charged in as Collins swung and swung hard! He connected magnificently and the ball went straight and far... but was fielded inches inside the rope by Stedman. In frustration, Collins immediately walked towards the dressing rooms, taking only a single. And Halsey was left in the centre, by himself. Alone.
Cricket Web Blue 264/7 off 50 (Fuller 60, Jellett 37, Crampton 34, Edmunds 3/46)
Cricket Web Red had won this match with enthusiasm, good tight bowling and with the leadership of stand-in captain Watt. But the player with the biggest grin on his face was Robert Dauth, who played one of the greatest innings that Cricket Web Land had ever witnessed. Blue had underestimated the Red side, and come off second best.
Cricket Web Red 269/8 off 50
Cricket Web Blue 264/7 off 50
Cricket Web Red won by 5 runs.
