Cockatoos v West Robbham - Commentary

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

15.1 Bennett to de Bruyn, BEATEN!, 65mph and beating the outside edge. Bennett is loving this.
15.2 Bennett to de Bruyn, 2 runs, Good improvisation. He stepped across his stumps and worked the ball past short fine leg to get 2 runs.
15.3 Bennett to de Bruyn, 2 runs, Bennett offered some width and de Bruyn slapped the ball past cover. They applied some excellent pressure by running hard and got back for a second run.
15.4 Bennett to de Bruyn, 1 run, de Bruyn late cut for a quick single.
15.5 Bennett to Kearsley, 1 run, He hit that hard back down the ground, but Bennett got a hand to it. He probably saved 3 runs there.
15.6 Bennett to de Bruyn, OUT, Brilliant work by Mørk. Bennett continues to mix things up and he reaped the rewards. That was a flighted delivery and de Bruyn ran straight past it, then Mørk grabbed the ball and pulled off the stumping in a flash.

Z de Bruyn st Mørk b Bennett 20 (17)
Partnership 32 (Z de Bruyn 18, DA Kearsley 14)
Cockatoos 126/4 (15.6 overs)

End of over 16 (6 runs) - Cockatoos 126/4
DA Kearsley 14* (11b) SA Bennett 3-0-24-2
CP Raftery 0* (0b)

Morris is out of the attack after a couple of expensive openers. And Raghav returns to the attack with Cockatoos looking to get a move on.
16.1 Raghav to Kearsley, 1 run, Whipped off his pads for a single. De Silva did a good job running in off the midwicket boundary.
16.2 Raghav to Raftery, 3 run, He's on the pads and that's gone really fine. They get back for a 3rd.
16.3 Raghav to Kearlsey, 0 runs, Hit back to the bowler.
16.4 Raghav to Kearlsey, DROPPED!, He went for the drive and hit it low to short extra cover. Scott couldn't quite hang on to the ball, but he recovered quickly enough to stop a single.
16.5 Raghav to Kearsley, FOUR, That's frustration from Raghav. He dragged the ball down and Kearsley had the ball sit up for the pull shot. Four more.
16.6 Raghav to Kearsley, 2 runs, A firm push down the ground and they ran hard for 2.

End of over 17 (10 runs) - Cockatoos 136/4
DA Kearsley 21* (16b) SV Raghav 3-0-32-0
CP Raftery 3* (1b)

17.1 Bennett to Raftery, 1 run, Short and wide but Raftery could only pick out the man on the boundary.
17.2 Bennett to Kearlsey, 1 run, On the pads this time but Kearsley coudn't beat short fine leg. It's a great bit of fielding but it can't stop the single.
17.3 Bennett to Raftery, 0 runs, Flat and quick and hit to short midwicket.
17.4 Bennett to Raftery, 0 runs, Bennett fired the ball into his toes and he could only dig it out with a straight bat.
17.5 Bennett to Raftery, BEATEN!, A prod by Raftery and it zips past the edge. Lovely bowling.
17.6 Bennett to Raftery, 1 run, Raftery was on the back foot there and he guided it to the right of short third man. They ran through for a single, but more urgency is needed, surely.

End of over 18 (3 runs) - Cockatoos 139/4
DA Kearsley 22* (17b) SA Bennett 4-0-27-2
CP Raftery 5* (6b)

18.1 Gough to Raftery, 1 run, Just a single. Driven from middle stump to the fielder on the cover fence.
18.2 Gough to Kearsley, SIX, BANG! Gough tried for yorker and Kearsley slammed it over long-off. Huge one!
18.3 Gough to Kearsley, 1 run, An excellent yorker, and Kearsley hits it straight for a single.
18.4 Gough to Raftery, noball, SIX, Brilliance! That yorker didn't miss by much, but it was enough for Raftery to clear long-on. It's a noball too. A free hit for Raftery. Cockatoos could really use it right about now.
18.4 Gough to Raftery, FOUR, Raftery gave himself room but the ball took the edge and flew down to the third man fence for four. Important runs, these.
18.5 Gough to Raftery, 3 run, Much In the blockhole again but he somehow squeezed it past legstump and managed to get three runs.
18.6 Gough to Kearsley, OUT, And Gough lets out a yell of frustration. It's a big wicket, but it ends a very expensive over.

DA Kearsley lbw b Gough 29 (20)
Partnership 35 (DA Kearsley 15, CP Raftery 19)
Cockatoos 161/5 (18.6 overs)

End of over 19 (22 runs) - Cockatoos 161/5
CP Raftery 19* (9b) KJ Gough 4-0-43-2
T Mamesh 0* (0b)

Raghav has the responsibility of the final over. Here we go...
19.1 Raghav to Raftery, 2 runs, Squeezed past the legstump again, but Mørk got a glove on it and slowed it up enough to keep it to 2 runs.
19.2 Raghav to Raftery, OUT, Great catch! Ben Read at backward point went one-handed to his high right to pull off an excellent catch. Raftery was sure he had a boundary there.

CP Raftery c Read b Raghav 21 (11)
Partnership 2 (CP Raftery 2, T Mamesh 2)
Cockatoos 163/6 (19.2 overs)

19.3 Raghav to Ritchie, 1 run, In the blockhole and just driven to long-on.
19.4 Raghav to Mamesh, 1 run, Another fine yorker by Raghav and he punched it down the ground. Great fielding on the boundary and it's just the 1 run.
19.5 Raghav to Ritchie, 1 run, Full and straight and Ritchie can't get under it. Just the single again. This is a clinic by Raghav in death bowling. Can he finish it off?
19.6 Raghav to Mamesh, 1 run, Yes he can. Superb bowling by Raghav and he's limited Cockatoos to 6 runs from the final over. They've got to settle for 167.

End of over 20 (6 runs) - Cockatoos 167/6
T Mamesh 2* (2b) SV Raghav 4-0-38-1
ZJ Ritchie 2* (2b)

[Goughy]

168 to win. Game on

Well bowled Bennett

[Majin]

Gutted, that 18th over may come back to haunt us. Bennett showing good character after his first over to come back and bowl that well. Still, I reckon we can chase this if we play to our potential. Fingers crossed

[superkingdave]

Theres only one Seany Bennett

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Rabid Wolves are facing a potentially tricky run chase, but they boast the most celebrated batting lineup in the Cup, so we could be in for a cracking finale to this semi-final.

Zander de Bruyn will get things going...
0.1 de Bruyn to Scott, FOUR, Great start! Full and a bit of swing, but Scott just drove through the line and picked up the first boundary for Rabid Wolves.
0.2 de Bruyn to Scott, 2 runs, Another bold drive but Robertson chased well and pulled it back. 2 runs.
0.3 de Bruyn to Scott, 1 run, A bit straighter this time, so Scott works it away for a single.
0.4 de Bruyn to Rai, FOUR, BANG! Short and wide and goodbye! Rai not wasting any time.
0.5 de Bruyn to Rai, FOUR, He brings the square drive to the party now. No joy for de Bruyn right now.
0.6 de Bruyn to Rai, 0 runs, On target this time and the first defensive shot.

End of over 1 (15 runs) - Rabid Wolves 15/0 (153 needed from 114 balls)
NG Scott 7* (3) Z de Bruyn 1-0-15-0
DK Rai 8* (3)

1.1 Wright to Scott, OUT, Another failure for Scott. But he couldn't do much about this one. Wright bowled that perfectly. It swung in off a full length and sent offstump reeling. Lovely stuff.

NG Scott b Wright 7 (4)
Partnership 15 (NG Scott 7, DK Rai 8)
Rabid Wolves 15/1 (1.1 overs)

1.2 Wright to Read, 0 runs, Very watchful from Read in leaving that one alone. Wright is getting a bit of movement.
1.3 Wright to Read, 0 runs, Again outside offstump and again left alone.
1.4 Wright to Read, BEATEN, Wonderful! That pitched on offstump and swung away and Read was beaten all ends up.
1.5 Wright to Read, FOUR, Another beauty, but that took the edge and raced down to the vacant third man.
1.6 Wright to Read, 0 runs, A bit wide this time and he left it alone.

End of over 2 (4 runs) - Rabid Wolves 19/1 (149 needed from 108 balls)
DK Rai 8* (3) KS Wright 1-0-4-1
BS Read 4* (5)

The luckless de Bruyn tries again.
2.1 de Bruyn to Rai, 0 runs, Outside offstump and left alone.
2.2 de Bruyn to Rai, 0 runs, On offstump and defended.
2.3 de Bruyn to Rai, BEATEN!, Slightly short and Rai tried to cut, but missed the ball by a few inches.
2.4 de Bruyn to Rai, 0 runs, Pushed to cover, but there's no room for a single.
2.5 de Bruyn to Rai, 1 legbye, A stifled appeal, but it was high and heading down the legside. They took a legbye.
2.6 de Bruyn to Read, 0 runs, A bit of movement away and left alone.

End of over 3 (1 runs) - Rabid Wolves 20/1 (148 needed from 102 balls)
DK Rai 8* (8) Z de Bruyn 2-1-15-0
BS Read 4* (6)

Interesting move here. Wright bowled a great first over, but he's being replaced by Bichel for the third.
3.1 Bichel to Rai, OUT, Genius! The move was genius. Bichel got that one to lift and Rai guided it into the hands of Robertson in the gully. Rabid Wolves in some trouble now.

DK Rai c Robertson b Bichel 8 (9)
Partnership 5 (DK Rai 0, BS Read 4)
Rabid Wolves 20/2 (3.1 overs)

3.2 Bichel to Mørk, 0 runs, On target and the perfect forward defensive, as you'd expect from Mørk.
3.3 Bichel to Mørk, 0 runs, He's on offstump again and again Mørk shuffled into line and defends.
3.4 Bichel to Mørk, 0 runs, a bit of width this time, but he just let it go past.
3.5 Bichel to Mørk, FOUR, What a shot! Flicked off his toes and it raced away to the square leg boundary. The fielder was 10 feet away when he played the shot and he had no chance.
3.6 Bichel to Mørk, 1 run, Tucked off the hip for a single.

End of over 4 (5 runs) - Rabid Wolves 25/2 (143 needed from 96 balls)
BS Read 4* (6) AJ Bichel 1-0-5-1
H Mørk 5* (5)

4.1 de Bruyn to Mørk, 0 runs, Too short but Mørk hit it straight at midwicket and can't score. He's not very happy about it.
4.2 de Bruyn to Mørk, FOUR, Lofted back overhead! Wonderful shot. Mørk means business it seems.
4.3 de Bruyn to Mørk, 0 runs, Back into shape with the forward defensive. A good tight line by de Bruyn and Mørk not hurried to carelessness.
4.4 de Bruyn to Mørk, 1 run, Pushed into the covers and they sprinted a single. Excellent communication.
4.5 de Bruyn to Read, FOUR, Short and wide and BANG! He hit it in the air, but wide of the gully for four.
4.6 de Bruyn to Read, FOUR, Overcompensation by de Bruyn and it's full and wide and dispatched with a beautiful square drive. Read on the go now.

End of over 5 (13 runs) - Rabid Wolves 38/2 (130 needed from 90 balls)
BS Read 12* (8) Z de Bruyn 3-1-28-0
H Mørk 10* (9)

[superkingdave]

Ooh not much from the openers...Mork to dominate

[Majin]

Worst start, ashamed of myself. Come on lads.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Good captaincy from Ritchie there. Can't even claim it was my idea. We had considered using an ear-piece to communicate, but I dropped it down the toilet during a Bog Break earlier.

Good stuff from Gerry Rafferty at the death - though have to admire Raghav's bowling there. How this man's place in the team was ever in question, I don't know.

Still don't think we've got enough runs to defend this one - will need some tight bowling from the spinners later on.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

5.1 Bichel to Mørk, 0 runs, Driven all along the ground and well fielded by Dauth in the covers. His prowess is renowned, so the batsmen think twice and don't take the single.
5.2 Bichel to Mørk, 2 runs, Tucked off the hips and very quick running for the first. It forced a misfield and they scampered a second.
5.3 Bichel to Mørk, 1 run, This time the fielder is sharper to it - Ritchie - and they only get the single.
5.4 Bichel to Read, OUT, Bichel gets another! Read avoids the run out, but falls to the hook shot. That short ball took him by surprise, but he took it on anyway. Ritchie judged the catch well in the deep.

BS Read c Ritchie b Bichel 12 (9)
Partnership 21 (BS Read 8, H Mørk 13)
Rabid Wolves 41/2 (5.4 overs)

DeSilva has been out of form in this tournament to date, but under pressure he'll be keen on a big innings.
5.5 Bichel to DeSilva, FOUR, Shot, boy! Full length and clobbered back past Bichel. All along the ground for four.
5.6 Bichel to DeSilva, FOUR, Another one! Not quite as full, but the same shot. DeSilva is a man on a mission.

End of over 6 (11 runs) - Rabid Wolves 49/3 (119 needed from 84 balls)
H Mørk 13* (12) AJ Bichel 2-0-16-2
MW DeSilva 8* (2)

Spin enters the attack in the form of Zac Ritchie...
6.1 Ritchie to Mørk, 2 runs, Sweep shot immediately and he collects 2 runs behind square.
6.2 Ritchie to Mørk, 2 runs, He went in front of square this time to get 2 more runs. Great batting.
6.3 Ritchie to Mørk, 1 run, And a third sweep in succession, but he picks out the man on the rope. Just the one run for his efforts.
6.4 Ritchie to DeSilva 1 run, He drops short, so DeSilva guided it to the right of short third man and took a quick run.
6.5 Ritchie to Mørk, 1 run, Down the track and he drove the ball to long-on for the easy run.
6.6 Ritchie to DeSilva, 1 run, Different man and same approach, as DeSilva found the long-on fielder. Easy runs in that over.

End of over 7 (8 runs) - Rabid Wolves 57/3 (111 needed from 78 balls)
H Mørk 19* (16) ZJ Ritchie 1-0-8-0
MW DeSilva 10* (4)

7.1 Bichel to DeSilva, SIX, BANG! That just strayed slightly onto middle stump and DeSilva flicked it up and over square leg. He's on a roll!
7.2 Bichel to DeSilva, FOUR, Delectable straight drive that Bichel couldn't cut off. Four runs!
7.3 Bichel to DeSilva, 2 runs, Driven again! Bichel got a hand on it this time and that stopped a boundary. They took two runs though.
7.4 Bichel to DeSilva, 0 runs, In the blockhole this time and dug out to the bowler. Death bowling in the 8th over. The joys of Twenty20 cricket!
7.5 Bichel to DeSilva, 0 runs, Good effort again by Bichel, but DeSilva drove it powerfully back. The ball hit the stumps and stopped a boundary.
7.6 Bichel to DeSilva, SIX, WOW! That one's out of the ground! Bichel couldn't get a third in the blockhole, and DeSilva got under it and thumped it over midwicket and into the streets.

End of over 8 (18 runs) - Rabid Wolves 75/3 (93 needed from 72 balls)
H Mørk 19* (16) AJ Bichel 3-0-34-2
MW DeSilva 28* (10)

8.1 Ritchie to Mørk, FOUR, Too short from Ritchie and he knew it. He let out a cry as Mørk shaped to cut it away behind point. Good shot.
8.2 Ritchie to Mørk, 2 runs, Not quite as short this time, but he tried to cut it and Dauth chased it down. Just 2.
8.3 Ritchie to Mørk, 1 run, Back to the sweep shot and a single for it.
8.4 Ritchie to DeSilva, FOUR, Down the track and lofted back overhead. Ritchie put up his hand after the ball was long past him. Two bounces and four.
8.5 Ritchie to DeSilva, SIX, Bigger this time! Much much bigger! Has he lost the ball this time? Oooh, it's bounced off the roof and back onto the field. What a shot!
8.6 Ritchie to DeSilva, 1 run, Down the track again, but just to milk a single to long-on.

End of over 9 (18 runs) - Rabid Wolves 93/3 (75 needed from 66 balls)
H Mørk 26* (19) ZJ Ritchie 2-0-26-0
MW DeSilva 39* (13)

The expensive Bichel is replaced by medium pacer David Kearsley. Someone needs to stem the flow of runs and there's no sign of Wright. He's off the field, but we're not sure why.
9.1 Kearsley to Mørk, 2 runs, Late cut straight away and they ran hard for a second.
9.2 Kearsley to Mørk, 2 runs, He goes for it again. Very good little innings here by Mørk. He's a true specialist.
9.3 Kearsley to Mørk, 1 run, And now the strike rotation with a lovely paddle sweep.
9.4 Kearsley to DeSilva, 0 runs, DeSilva went for a big drive and picked out cover. No chance of a run.
9.5 Kearsley to DeSilva, BEATEN!, That's some sharp bounce! Like Pollard earlier in the day, Kearsley got bounce from nowhere and beat DeSilva's prod.
9.6 Kearsley to DeSilva, 0 runs, Careful defensive prod this time.

End of over 10 (5 runs) - Rabid Wolves 98/3 (70 needed from 60 balls)
H Mørk 31* (22) DA Kearsley 1-0-5-0
MW DeSilva 39* (16)

[Majin]

Dinu you absolute legend. Don't stop now!

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Morkeh showing the world just how good a diet of fish and more fish can be.

[Goughy]

A long way to go but this is looking good. Obviously could all change with a couple of wickets but these boys are batting well.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Need wickets now - these two are bossing it at the moment.

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Weber into the attack now...
10.1 Weber to Mørk, 2 runs, Short and wide and the batsman didn't middle it. A bit of luck for Weber, as it's only 2 runs.
10.2 Weber to Mørk, 2 runs, Another long hop and Mørk looked for the pull shot but again didn't middle it. 2 more runs to his cause.
10.3 Weber to Mørk, 0 runs, Some spin there and it thuds into the pad. It pitched outside legstump, so Weber didn't appeal.
10.4 Weber to Mørk, 0 runs, Short and Mørk shaped for the cut but couldn't beat backward point.
10.5 Weber to Mørk, 2 runs, Mørk onto the sweep again. The ball sped away fine, but the fielder chased well and pulled it back to save 2 runs.
10.6 Weber to Mørk, BEATEN!, Beauty to finish! Some flight and turn and it beat Mørk's forward prod.

End of over 11 (6 runs) - Rabid Wolves 104/3 (64 needed from 54 balls)
H Mørk 37* (28) TV Weber 1-0-6-0
MW DeSilva 39* (16)

Cockatoos need a wicket, and Wright is back on the field. Here he is...
11.1 Wright to DeSilva, 2 runs, Flicked away nicely, but the deep midwicket comes around and keeps it to 2. Weber did well there.
11.2 Wright to DeSilva, BEATEN!, 92mph and past the outside edge. Good pace from Wright and the direction to cause problems.
11.3 Wright to DeSilva, FOUR, Where did that come from? A long hop outside the offstump and DeSilva rightly discarded it to the boundary.
11.4 Wright to DeSilva, BEATEN!, A real mixed bag from Wright, this. He came back with a quick offcutter that cut DeSilva in half. Intriguing contest.
11.5 Wright to DeSilva, 1 run, Tucked calmly behind square for 1.
11.6 Wright to Mørk, 1 run, Again on the legs and he collects a single.

End of over 12 (8 runs) - Rabid Wolves 112/2 (56 needed from 48 balls)
H Mørk 38* (29) KS Wright 2-0-12-1
MW DeSilva 46* (21)

12.1 Weber to Mørk, 0 runs, Some flight and turn by Weber and Mørk pokes back down the pitch.
12.2 Weber to Mørk, OUT, It pays off! Excellent bowling. Mørk tried to turn the ball to leg and just picked out short midwicket. Huge breakthrough.

H Mørk c Raftery b Weber 38 (31)
Partnership 81 (H Mørk 35, MW DeSilva 46)
Rabid Wolves 112/4 (12.2 overs)

And here's the in-form Morris...
12.3 Weber to Morris, 2 runs, Off the mark immediately with a busy flick for 2 runs.
12.4 Weber to Morris, 0 runs, Pushed back to the bowler. Good bowling.
12.5 Weber to Morris, 2 runs, He took a big stride there to play that sweep shot. Two more runs.
12.6 Weber to Morris, 1 run, And he will keep the strike with another legside shot. Just glanced that and sprinted a run.

End of over 13 (5 runs) - Rabid Wolves 117/4 (51 needed from 42 balls)
MW DeSilva 46* (21) TV Weber 2-0-11-1
SC Morris 5* (4)

13.1 Wright to Morris, SIX, That didn't take long! He just played a little pickup shot to a slight short ball and helped it over fine leg.
13.2 Wright to Morris, FOUR, A bit fuller but the same shot played and that flies away for another boundary!
13.3 Wright to Morris, 1 run, Morris moved deep in his crease and guided that one to third man for a single. Smart batting.
13.4 Wright to DeSilva, FOUR, That's his 50! And what a shot for it too! Full and looking for swing, but DeSilva just lofted it over mid-off for a boundary.
13.5 Wright to DeSilva, GONE!, Got'm! It was an easy catch for Dauth but DeSilva hit it hard. He cut the ball straight to Dauth at backward point. Another wicket for the fighting Cockatoos.

MW DeSilva c Dauth b Wright 50 (23)
Partnership 20 (MW DeSilva 4, SC Morris 16)
Rabid Wolves 132/5 (13.5 overs)

Now the pressure is on, but Pollard is a big threat at this stage of the game.
13.6 Wright to Pollard, BEATEN!, He went for the big shot straight away but missed the ball entirely. Crucial dot ball to end an expensive over.

End of over 14 (15 runs) - Rabid Wolves 132/5 (36 needed from 36 balls)
SC Morris 16* (7) KS Wright 3-0-27-2
KA Pollard 0* (1)

14.1 Weber to Morris, 2 runs, Tossed up and driven down the ground. Kearsley got around in a flash to cut it off.
14.2 Weber to Morris, 0 runs, He was gearing up for a big shot, but backed out as Weber speared into legstump.
14.3 Weber to Morris, 0 runs, Flat and fast again and defended carefully.
14.4 Weber to Morris, 1 run, Down the ground for a single this time.
14.5 Weber to Pollard, BEATEN!, Another big swing and another miss. Pollard looking out of shape here.
14.6 Weber to Pollard, 0 runs, Pushed back to the bowler.

End of over 15 (3 runs) - Rabid Wolves 135/5 (36 needed from 36 balls)
SC Morris 19* (11) TV Weber 3-0-14-1
KA Pollard 0* (3)

[Majin]

Argh, what a horrible period. Game still in the balance. Wait for these last overs is going to be horrible.