Story BFN Bombers - Battrick Story

[Maxkarter]

So the match has begun, Battrick has summed things up quite nicely:

Welcome to Bloemfontein Oval for the match between BFN Bombers and Rabbitohs.

We can tell you that BFN Bombers won the toss and elected to bat. The pitch is looking a touch on the green side. All the seam bowlers have been out there rubbing their hands on this partially cloudy and humid day.

BFN Bombers have selected Nicholls, Gore, Mainey, Spiller, Barnard, Furlong, Noon, Samuel, Singh, Breen, Bird.

Rabbitohs have picked Penford, Ditman, Tawab, Carbon, Yates, Frikkie, Rasanjan, Dawson, Sanders, Hough, Kilbane.

Looks as if both of us are fielding our full strength sides today, should be a good match.

0.1 W Hough to Nicholls
Huge shout for LBW...and it's given! Replays are suggesting that was missing leg stump but the decision has gone Hough's way!

Thats not the way you want to start a match.....

16.2 W Sanders to Mainey
Should be an easy single, but Yates has showed a great arm in throwing down the stumps.

Thats not how we should be getting out, they should work harder for wickets. It does bring in padestrian Spiller though.

End of Over 17: 93-2, runrate=5.47
Sanders 4-0-16-0
Spiller* 1 (2 balls)
Gore 48 (43 balls)
Last Wicket: Mainey Run Out 42 (FOW: 92/2)

Things have stabilized a bit, a good foundation is being made hopefully we can push on from here.

 

[Maxkarter]

PLANETCRICKET LEAGUE MATCH OVERVIEW - DIV 2​

So the Rabbitohs came from down under to give us a match and they were greeted by a bowlers paradise! A lush green pitch, and a partially cloudy day with some humidity in the air, this would provide movement and nip off the pitch and swing in the air.

Young captain Janardan Singh won the toss and bravely chose to bat first, putting great faith in his batter to set a good total for his bowling compatriots to defend.

So Nicholls and Gore proudly strode out infront of the home crowd at the Bloemfontein Oval. Unfortunately Nicholls only faced a solitary ball. Mainey now came in to partner Gore. The two were going very well building a good partnership and scoring briskly until an amazing run out got rid of Mainey. Johnnie ' The Rock ' Spiller came in next, known to hang around and stabilize tight situations, today wouldn't be all that different as Gore departed a while later. Spiller soldierd on with Barnard who didn't do much damage, unfortunately Spiller followed Barnard back to the pavillion 2 runs later, leaving two new batsmen staring at the last 10. Furlong and Noon, however are known to be live wires. Today Noon wouldn't do much, as he was yet another victim of Hough. Samuel provided some support while Furlong got striking, once Samuel was out the rest just came and went, but left Furlong enough time to get us a defendable total. Hough's wicket taking was sensational but he leaked a few runs, Sanders was tight and hampered us in the middle.

With a good total on a bowlers day, fast bowler Eddie Samuel was looking to make his mark on the match along with captain and medium bowler Singh. If you thought we made a bad start, think again. Ditman and Tawab departed courtesy of Samuel's electrifying pace and skill, in the following over Janardan got immense movement, both off the pitch and in the air removing Carbon and Yates his following over. That completed the demolishing of the top order. Eddie and Jay picked them off slowly but surely until getting stuck on Rasanjan, who unfortunately slogged Bird for 11 in an over. The following over Eddie made it all good and got rid of him, and then a run out ended their dreams.

We were better than them on the day, much better. But the ratings suggest it was a little closer, it's a mystery for us on how condusive the pitch would be to spin, as the Rabbitohs didn't have one and ours didn't get a bowl. MOTM went to Hough, for his 7 wickets. It could be argued that Gore's 70 could be a candidate as it set us a good total, or Samuels quick and cheap 4 wickets but it doesn't have the same sort of sting. In the end I agree with the choice.

This maiden victory for us in D2 of the PCL is a good start and hopefully we can progress from here to promotion. Join us tomorrow for the training update!

 

[aussie1st]

That a was a comprehensive performance by your bowlers there to back up the good total from your batters.

 

[Maxkarter]

TRAINING UPDATE​

So I headed down to the nets today to see how the lads were progressing. Unfortunately today wasn't a day of huge progress, it was more a 'slow and steady' for the lads, but progress is progress and I'll take it with both hands!

Nicholls -------> BTR increase
Bird ------> BTR increase
Samuel -------> BTR increase

Next week or the week after should bring a batting pop for Nicholls, also on the cards soon is a bowling pop for Bird.

 

[Maxkarter]

MATCH PREVIEWS - LEAGUE & PC LEAGUE​

I'm away from this evening untill Sunday afternoon, so you all have the privillage of both match previews tonight.

First up is our Friday League encounter against Reaserch CC (away) who has recently lost their manager due to inactivity. It's another walk in the park, and I won't be sending out the lads to seek blood, so a relaxed performance is to be expected, even better is that the lads don't have to travel as we are in the same region, it's expected to be a hot Free State summers day perfect for attracting crowds.

In the ratings department - taken from our last league matches - it shows that not much effort is needed, so I think I might go with a slightly weaker side possibly resting some key players and trying a few new things.

Expected line-up:
Samuel, Barnard, Gore, Nicholls, Sparrow, Mainey, Spiller, Noon (+), Soft, Bird, Singh (*)

PCL - Old Wulfs​

So were travelling to Warwickshire, England to face up against the Old Wulfs. A tough match indeed. The Wulfs narrowly missed out on promotion last season and wil be looking to make ammends for that this season.
Once again the ratings are taken from previous league matches, and ultimately matchday team selection.

Our bowling is close, and ultimately the match will come down to the Old Wulfs batting performance, or how we can attempt to plug it. We do have a glimmer of hope though in Eddie Samuel, who on his day can be a match winner so we will be relying on him to make short work of the top order. We will also need a good batting performance as their bowling and our batting is equal. Hopefully we can atleast attain a respectable result or if we're lucky a win.

Expected line-up:
Nicholls, Gore, Mainey, Spiller, Barnard, Furlong, Noon (+), Samuel, Singh (*), Breen, Bird.

Previous meeting -

BFN Bombers 192 ao (47.4)
Barnard 59
Spiller 51
Otto 3/41

Old Wulfs 194/5 (37.5)
Stiles 63
Basson 43
Bird 3/45

P.S. If any battrick users are online, could you please post a few updates of how the matches are going, thanks.

 

[aussie1st]

Should be an easy win in the league, the PC league game will be very interesting. The batting is slightly less but in BT that slight difference isn't massive.

 

[Maxkarter]

MATCH UPDATES - PCL - FRIDAY LEAGUE
​

FRIDAY LEAGUE​

So, whilst I was away the team went under a name change so the match was against Green and Gold. It was a hard and fast pitch at G&G CG, so bowling would be a tad tougher but batting would be a blast.

So with an easy match expected, a slightly different squad was fielded. Opening bowler Samuel and all rounder Barnard strode out to try to build an innings, Samuel didn't stay long, but Barnard was on his way to his first league 50 and highest score of 76. Vic hung around with Asif for a while but he didn't leave a lasting impression, the next man in did however. The departure of Vic brough in the youthful Nicholls, and it wasn't long 'till he was partnered briefly by Spiller and finally Mainey. The two were batting briskly, making the most of the batsman friendly pitch particularly enjoying Stephens. Mainey fell short of a century but Nicholls got his comfortably. A brilliant total of 385 was set.

Samuel and Singh went out ready to make short work of their batting, both claiming four wickets for not many runs, Barnard after batting well came in and claimed two scalps in his only over of the match rounding off a brilliant performance for him.

img]http://usera.imagecave.com/max452/BFNGGcoma.jpg[/img]​

We were still much better than them even with our weakened line-up, and it was a brilliant result for a relaxed effort.

PC LEAGUE​

So it would be one of the toughest encounters for us, the Old Wulfs. The trip to Warwickshire always an enjoyable one, and the boys were looking forward to it even more this time round. We were once again met with a hard and fast pitch and a hot and humid day with some cloud cover, the same conditions our medium pacers excelled on a week ago against the Rabbitohs.

So we elected to bat, and did a slight batting order swap. Barnard once again put in to open, along with the attacking Mainey. Barnard didn't last long and Spiller came in to accompany Mainey. The two put on a brilliant 150 run partnership, if a bit slow on Spillers part. Once he left Mainey followed and there was a mini collapse with Nicholls staying in until the end. Fortunately enough runs were added during this time. Stone and Dodd bowled exceptionally well restricting us while the others bled runs. Stiles although costly took five wickets.

So with a rather low total up, our bowlers were rearing to go. Samuel went out guns blazing, he didn't take wickets but his fiery bowling was heeded towards and he was treated with respect. Captain Singh struck first, although being a bit expensive in his opening spell. Star of the bowling was clearly Bird, who must have had some special seed the night before as he took four wickets for very few runs. Spinner Breen bowled with him and unusually leaked runs, but he did take the wicket of keeper batsman Basson. Barnard was keen to make up for his batting woes and took 2 wickets also conceeding very little, as the match came to a close with the Wulfs struggling the openers were due to return, and Singh came back nabbing 2 wickets in the first over of his second spell. Gilroy was left alone at the crease with no partners the only batter to make use of his start.

So with a rather lucky win behind us, the defining factor in the match was definitely the lack of effort put in by the Wulfs batters, it looks even worse when our key player didn't even take a wicket. Rather than ramble on about how lucky we were it was a great performance to get such a good total, and finally sheer brilliance - a Zorax like bowling performance - by our bowlers to dismiss them so cheaply.

MONDAY TRAINING REPORT​

Samuel ---> BTR increase
Nicholls ---> BTR incrase

Ken Nicholls - 17 yo, BT Rating=12,228
RH Batsman, RFM Bowler, superb batting form, superb bowling form, fresh
A cautious player with abysmal leadership skills and worthless experience.
Stamina: competent Wicket Keeping: worthless
Batting: strong Concentration: mediocre
Bowling: worthless Consistency: woeful
Fielding: competent

Join us tomorrow for more news and updates!

 

[aussie1st]

Very nice win in the PC league, that is some upset when comparing the batting lineup.

 

[Maxkarter]

MONDAY TRAINING REPORT​

I went down to the nets to see how the trainees were coming along, and to my delight we had a pop.

Ken Nicholls - 17 yo, BT Rating=13,111
RH Batsman, RFM Bowler, superb batting form, superb bowling form, moderate
A cautious player with abysmal leadership skills and worthless experience.
Stamina: respectable Wicket Keeping: worthless
Batting: strong Concentration: mediocre
Bowling: worthless Consistency: woeful
Fielding: competent

Samuel ===> BTR Increase
Bird ===> BTR Increase


P.S. I was away since Wednesday, expect the match overviews to be up by tomorrow.

 

[Maxkarter]

MATCH RESULTS - PCL - FRIDAY LEAGUE​

Key Africa vs BFN Bombers
Key Africa CG
​

It promised to be yet another one sided affair, and neither of us proved any surprises. It was a humid day, and a green pitch awaited us.

So after losing the toss, the bowlers were ready to make short work of this team. They had a reasonable start, getting 10 runs on the board before losing their first wicket. Their next four wickets would fall for the addition of only two runs. From there slowly we made further inroads to the tail, where some resistance was put forward. The small partnership only made it seem a little better, and Singh and Samuel both had good days again.

So gearing up to chase down a monsterous 40, Gore unleashed and Nicholls plodded along, both only managed a boundary each but the total was reached in 6 overs.

Once again, we were clearly better than them in all departments and it was a fair result.

BFN Bombers vs Challengers XI
Bloemfontein Oval​

It was definitely going to be tougher than the league match, and after our surprise win over the Wulfs last week, we had to be weary that we werent going to face the upset this time round. The pitch prepared for the Challengers was a lush green one, and a sunny day was expected.

Singh won the toss, and the lads set out to bat. Nicholls was in fine form starting well along with Gore but once Gore went out Nicholls slowed his pace. Mainey was in next, the hero from last week, as usual he played attacking shots, and scored quickly and handled the extra pressue of slow scoring Nicholls well. After Nicholls was stunned by Bishop, Johnnie 'the rock' Spiller came in, but played uncharacteristically quickly. Not many runs later Mainey left and all-rounder Barnard entered, he started well and fast really upping the tempo at the right time. Spiller and Barnard put on a good brisk 80 run partnership giving us a defendable total, before Asif was trapped by an expensive Hignett. Furlong played a good little cameo to end it off.

With a good total to defend the boys were ready, Singh struck first removing Kekeletso with a away swinger and bowling Edwards with a gem. In the meatime Lungile was plodding along, but a brisk delivery tickled the edge of his bat and that was that. At 30/3 they were in some trouble, but relief wasn't going to come just yet. Bocks was trapped by a bullet from Samuel, leaving Wood and Bishop to try to save things. Bird came into the attack and was successful from the begining bowling Bishop. Things seemed to get into a lull before Barnard showed Mason the way to the dressing room. Not long after, Abeyagunawardene was removed by a chirpy Bird hungry for see... I mean wickets. All the while Wood had been hanging around, but it wasn't to be as Bird got him a few overs later. Ifill was proving a nusance along with Osmond, as they were steadying the ship but the match looked to be ours anyway. After a 50 run partnership Breen cleaned Osmond up, and whilst Ifill was still going along Hignett avoided the strike as best as he could before misjudging Breen.

As you can see, were were better in almost all places except middle order where we were equal. And you can see that the potential for an upset was always lurking, but it never came out properly. Mainey gets a deserved MOTM for the top score too.

 

[aussie1st]

Nice win Max, BT weren't going for the upset this round.

 

[Maxkarter]

FRIDAY LEAGUE MATCH​

So were gearing up for the second last fixture of the season regarding the friday league. Luckily were preparing for a home encounter, so its our last chance to cash in for the league. Sandton will be facing the usual green pitch, and a hot day is expected, so the spectators will be pleased.

Our opponents are the struggling Sandton, a bot team at the bottom of the league, no doubt it will be an easy match so the lads will be taking it easy this weekend.

This report sheet - depending on the selected teams - gives us a good idea of how the match should play out, and it just reinforces my decision for the lads to save themselves for a good performance on Sunday against the Palab Tigers in the PCL.

 

[aussie1st]

Shouldn't be too many bots next season for you I take

 

[Maxkarter]

Shouldn't be too many bots next season for you I take

Nah, sadly not My main worry is either ending up in a rather easy league resulting in possible promotion to DIV II, or landing up in a monster league not winning a game and being demoted again. I'm just hoping to get a sort of happy medium, but no doubts, I'll need to strengthen my batting.

 

[Maxkarter]

MATCH PREVIEW - PC LEAGUE​

So were facing The Palab Tigers, and we're both looking good going into this match, were carrying a 7 match winning streak, and The Palab Tigers an equally impressive 3 match streak. Were making the long trip to England, and a green pitch is expected.

We do face a slightly tough match on Sunday, as the Tigers pose a solid top order, and a very good pace attack. Our advantage would be our depth in batting if anything. Being a green pitch, their lack of spinner won't bother them. For us to get a convincing result, we need to knock their top order over quickly, and for this I think its due for Eddie to do well - otherwise he could do a Hilton - and lead from the front taking lots of early wickets. If we fail there and let them get a good total, we could struggle against their bowling. It promises to be a good game, and the best team on the day will win.

Commentary and updates, will be posted throughout the match tomorrow.