Story A Season in Battrick - The TT Lions Story

[ZoraxDoom]

It was rigged! .. How did you pay them Zorax?

Challenge Lodged!

Challenge accepted! Although you have the home advantage...

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Tuesday's Top Player Interview​

With Chris Gamble​

CG: Hello and welcome to Tuesday's Top Player Interview, your favourite show! Today's top player is Leeroy Spearitt, the energetic opener who has already managed 2 fifites and a century this season, including an unbeaten 73 this Friday! So, Leer, how's life treating ya?
LS:Rather kindly, thank you very much
CG: So, you've been in great form this season. Any tips for the fans?
LS: Yea, it has been a good season, hasn't it? I have to thank Zorax for having faith in me all this time, and Dougi and the others have been great batting partners. As for tips, I'll say keep playing and back yourself. Don't take your eyes off the goal, and just keep working, and never lose faith in yourself
CG: Excellent, that's what I would say too. So, how is it like at the Lions?
LS: It's great, it really is. Loads of fun, never a dull moment. What with Crouch the heart of the party, Billy, Eli and Wave(ll Folkes) all dancing to the latest tunes, Dougie and Gally discussing the latest in the cricketing world, it's great. There are pranks played in every turn, there is great communication between everyone, team meetings are fun, we are all like best friends really.
CG: And it shows on the field. How did you get into cricket?
LS: I've always been a big fan. Cricket ran through the family, we played it on picnics and trips and what not. The TT Lions was the closest club nearby, so I played there a lot as a kid, and took it seriously after a while, and that's how I got here
CG: Excellent. Now, for the fans, what do you think is the best aspect of your game?
LS: The obvious thing to say is my batting, but I love fielding. I can bowl too, Zorax hasn't given me a chance yet...
CG:Haha So, before we leave, what is your favourite TV show?
LS: Umm...Seinfeld I guess. Monk is good too.
CG: Than't you very much Leer. Hope your great form continues.
Well, there you have it folks. Leeroy Spearitt, a hard working, Seinfeld watching guy, and he is our this week's Tuesday's Top Player!

 

[surendar]

yes, i have noticed this " Leeroy Spearitt " from the time i started following TTlions.. He seemed to be a really a big man to ur team getting big knocks in opening slot!

Also congrads that this thread has passed 300 posts... Excellent battrick story!

 

[Pak_cricketer]

Challenge accepted! Although you have the home advantage...

We'll play at your ground next time.

 

[aussie1st]

Is it due to this rule,



I am not sure though Anyways it seems a tough week for Abdeen in nets due to strict coach India needs such a coach to train all the players like this

Nah would be more to do with his level. Maybe his level is 1.9 (random number) so should get to 2.0 next week.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Either way, he still has to pop in the next two weeks...

 

[gamerkid22]

wow nice Tuesday top player interview .was nice to read .Excellent story mate

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom
From Shaka Nelson​

Hello, welcome to Wednesday's Words of Wisdom, where we give you, the readers, a piece of advice on Battrick every week, delivered by the TT Lion's experienced groudsman, Shaka Nelson. Today's piece of Advice is:

"Catches win matches. Fielding is always a useful asset in a side, never underestimate it's importance. Don't pick all your players by their ability on the field, but make sure you aren't carrying 11 worthless fielders either."​

​

Thank you for joining us, see you again next week on Wednesday's Words of Wisdom.

 

[plympilgrim]

nice work xorax, surely a favourite for story of the month

 

[ZoraxDoom]

"Youngsters have impressed" - Zorax
"Both deserve a break"​

The TT Lions manager has spoken in a recent interview about the performances of Xavier Eli and Mohaideen Abdeen, both youngsters in their first season of proper cricket.
"Both of them have impressed", said Zorax. "Eli and Mohy have both worked very hard, and have done quite well. They have had to work on their cricket alongside their schooling, and as a result we don't want to push them too hard. We feel they are due for a break."
Speaking on Abdeen's poor run with the bat, he was quoted saying "Abdeen's first priority is as a wicketkeeper, and he has performed that role admirably. He is wroking very hard in every aspect of his game, and has been a bit off-color as a result. He is very likely to get a break tommorrow in order to re-group a bit before out big match on Sunday"
In reference to Sunday's game against The Falcons, Zorax stated "It's a big game, we'd like to win. Eli and Mohy are going to be our secret weapons, and it is important that they are well rested and prepared. They are critical components of the team, and we don't want to push them too hard."

-Nosyparker News​

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Match Preview​

One Day League
TT Lions vs. untouchables
untouchables CG
Friday 09/02/2007, 15:30 GMT​

One of the trickier matches this season, against the 3 seasons old untouchables.
Having recently promoted, the untouchables have looked very good this season so far, winning all three of their games to date and second to the Lions on Net Run Rate! And they definately aren't a side to be scoffed at, as they boast a pretty decent batting lineup which is backed up by 2 pretty good seam bowlers. However, there isn't much left in thier batting past the top 4, and their support bowlers do leave much to be desired.
At last look, the ratings for each side were:

		[B]TT Lions	untouchables[/B]

[B]Top Order:[/B]	mediocre	 competent
[B]Middle Order:[/B]	respectable      feeble
[B]Lower Order:[/B]	abysmal          worthless
[B]Seam Bowling:[/B]	superb           woeful
[B]Spin Bowling:[/B]	strong           feeble
[B]Fielding:[/B]       feeble	         woeful

As you can see, bowling is a concern for the untouchables. And even if they have a good day with the ball, is the batting strong enough to withstand Tuckett an co.?
The pitch is looking tailormaid for the untouchables, hard and fast to encourage strokeplay and to provide some assitance to the untouchable's all-seam attack.
As for the Lion's lineup, expect a few changes. Zorax has already revealed that both Eli and Abdeen will be getting a break for this game. As a result, the two most likely returns are expected to be former skipper Arthur Dennis to bolster the lower order, and seamer Atkinson, who might prove to be a handful on this pitch. The batting order is also likely to get a shuffle, with Whing being pushed down the order to accomodate Spearrit and Giddings as openers.
This match is definately a must win for both sides. However, the Lions are strong faourites, and the untouchables will have to pull out a fabulous performance to win this.

Playing XI (Expected): Spearitt, Giddings, Rudi, Whing, Crouch, Gallagher, Dennis, Finlayson (+), Atkinson, Tuckett (*), Folkes.

 

[plympilgrim]

should be another easy win for you zorax

 

[surendar]

TT lions seems to be strong than the opponent.. Except for some miracle, noone can stop TTLions from winning this... Gud Luck

But I thought that u are going to play Falcons in next game????

 

[ZoraxDoom]

The Falcon match is on Sunday. It's a friendly.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

Thursday's Tour through History

This is the segment where we visit the historical places and moments in TT Lion's history. Today is part 2 of the TT Lions Classics...​

TT Lions Classics
Part 2​

TT Lions vs. Srilanka R us
Played at Srilanka R us CG
13/11/2005​

TT Lions: 291/8, 50 overs [Delop 134, Crouch 69, Greenwood 60, Indrasiri 7/63, Corcoran 1/48]
Lucian Magma: 260 a/o, 49.3 overs [Indrasiri 107, Bryant 71, Atkinson 4/55, Crouch 2/27]​

This match was played as part of one of the earliest Battrick Leagues - a tri-series featuring The Falcons as well. The managers were still coming to grips with their team, although the Lions had made qute a bit of progress by then.
It was a hot and humid day, and the pitch was quick and bouncy. A batsman's dream, although the quicker bowlers could extract something if they put in some effort. That's why it came as a suprise when the Srilanka R us skipper Newman decided to send in the Lions to bat.
Cox and Delop walked out with intentions of dominating on this pitch. Cox got off to a good start, a boundary second ball off medium-pacer Indrasiri. But the very next ball he nicked on to Vaughan at slip, leaving the score 4/1 after one over. Karl Dean was promoted up the order as a pich hitter, and after finding the fence once, nicked one to second slip to hand Indrasiri his second wicket. At 10/2, things were a bit tricky for the Lions.
However, Delop kicked into high gear, and put up a rollocking 146 run partnership with Billy Greenwood, who played an anchor role while Delop unleashed his shots. Greenwood's lack of stamina caught up with him, and after a brief passage where he struggled to score, he fell tamely by missing a straight ball from spinner Corcoran. This breakthrough brought some life back to the players on the field, but it was short live as Crouch went ballistic, and with Delop pasted the ball all over the park in a killer 120 run partnership. With around 4 overs left in the innings, Indrasiri struck by getting Crouch stumped by his brother, and skipper Arthur Dennis walked in with the score at a rather cosy 276/4. 300 was on the cards with 5 balls left in the innings and 291 runs on the board. However, what happened next was quite suprising, and honestly, quite comedic. Indrasiri was bowling the last over. Delop was the first to go, holing out to the deep into the safe hands of Lakshitha. Keeper Fallon walked out, and walked back after facing one ball with his stumps rattled by a yorker. Twi in two, Indrasiri on a hattrick. And he got it, Griffin out caught behind. And he wasn't done there, as Atkinson missed a wild slog, and Indrasiri had just got a double hattrick! Leonard failed to score off the last ball, and 291 was all the Lions managed. Srilanka R us walked back to the pavillion with that last over definately boosting their morale.
In reply, Srilanka R us got off to a shaky start too. Wijesuriya was runout and skipper Newtom plumb LBW to Atkinson to leave the score 12/2 after 5 overs. But keeper Indrasiri (Note: NOT the bowler, but his brother) and Lakshitha strung together a decent partnership of 110 runs to put thier team back on track, Lakshitha scoring a brisk 43 before chipping Crouch to mid-on. But the new batsman Bryant wasted not time and dominated from the off. As the pressure built on the Lions, Crouch returned for his second spell and gave nothing away. The RRR climbed to 8, and Indrasiri lost his cool. Crouch had struck and Indrasiri played a terrible shot to be caught at midwicket by Billy Greenwood. De zoysa came in and played a few shots, but it was too late. 40 runs needed in the last 3 overs. But Bryant was still going strong, and one felt that if he kept going they stood a chance, no matter how faint.
However, something extraordinary occurred. As if a double hattrick earlier in the match wasn't enough, Atkinson got 5 in 5, albeit with two runouts. De zoysa was the first, runout by Delop. Allrounder Vaughan next, nicking to Fallon, and then Kariyawasam was runout too. To add to the madness, Corcoran was out yorked and Otsemobor slapped one to Crouch in the covers to make it 5 wickets in 5 balls! Bryant took as much control as he could of the strike, but Dean struck in the final over with Indrasiris wicket, and an easy win was wrapped up for the Lions in a rather extraordinary match.


Scorecard

Join us next week for another Tour through History !