Story PlanetCricket Domination

[Jakester1288]

Not a bad start, quick man, I've got my meeting which I have to leave for at about 6:30, but I'll be off at about 6:15-6:20.

 

[Hooper]

6 all-rounders? Sheesh.

Why is the WK batting at 4? Stoooooopid.

 

[Covvy]

Whats even more stupid is that I'm not playing

And even more stupid is that Hooper's playing

 

[Hooper]

This is ICC, not Cricsim, I am of the God of ICC.

(And cricsim)

 

[OffCutters]

That aint stupid, its just good thinking, Covvy.

 

[Covvy]

Pressure is on for the 'Black Bradman' though

 

[Hooper]

Mate, with an average of 100 I'll be fine.

(Although batting at 8 doesn't help)

 

[Covvy]

99.94 actually

 

[OffCutters]

What pressure? There`s no pressure mate, every time the ball touches my bat it goes straight into the keeper over the boundary. I IS BRADMAN NOT U HOOPER! =P

 

[Covvy]

Actually I was talking to Hooper, you can be the 'good bit of Mike Hussey'. Unfortunately that is nothing.

 

[OffCutters]

Like I said, I`m Bradman. Not Hooper, Not you, and not Bradman himself. I am Bradman.

This sounds like this came out of a superhero movie. Oh wells.

 

[blake]

The PlanetCricket CC got off to a good start in their first ever match after Blake won the toss and elected to bat first. It was hard to tell how the pitch would play right now - there didn't seem to be a great deal of movement for the seamers but the spinners might find a little bit of turn later on. The outfield was slow and the weather overcast, so the conditions probably favoured the bowlers slightly - but Blake was confident in his team's ability and sent himself and Jake McDonald out to bat.

It was Jimmy Anderson opening the bowling - it would be interesting to see how this pair from PlanetCricket would handle him. But, his first over caused the batsmen no problems, with both of them getting off the mark to push the score to 0/4.

The first boundary of the day came from Blake, who rocked back and punched the ball through the covers off Saj Mahmood's bowling in the second over. The batsmen began to settle in to the crease and after five overs, PlanetCricket were 0/20, travelling at 4 an over.

Match Summary
5.0 Overs
PlanetCricket: 0/21
B Blake 7* (14), 1 four
J McDonald 13* (16), 1 four
J Anderson 0/8 (3.0)
S Mahmood 0/13 (3.0)

The runs were starting to slow down for the PC, and McDonald attempted to lift the run-rate with a slog sweep across the line off Anderson's bowling - however, it didn't strike the middle of the bat and rolled out to square leg for no run. The next ball, he attempted to flick off his pads - however, it straightened up and caught him plumb in front. The umpire had no hesitation in awarding the dismissal - McDonald was PlanetCricket's first ever casualty - not an award you wanted to be recognised with.

J McDonald lbw b Anderson 15 (28), 1 four

8.2 Overs
PlanetCricket: 1/30
B Blake 14* (23)
J Anderson 1/11 (4.2)

Now at the crease it was the number 3 batsman in Troy Lerana - and what a fine player he was. PlanetCricket would be hoping he could stay to earn them some runs - they were in a bit of trouble after losing McDonald's wicket.

Lerana struggled early though with Saj Mahmood bowling well. Mahmood drew two misses in a row from Lerana, who seemed to lose his composure. Lerana went forward for the defense, but the ball nipped away at the last second and he was lucky to stay at the crease.

After 10 overs, Lancashire decided on a change to their bowling attack - now it was medium pacer Tom Smith joined by Glen Chapple - much easier bowlers than Anderson and Mahmood. Now, PlanetCricket should've been looking to capitalise - and they did just that. Blake went after Tim Smith, hitting three boundaries from two overs. However, on the last ball of Smith's second over, the ball struck Blake on the pad - however, the appeal was turned down with the ruling from the umpire that it was going down the legside - a fair decision based on the Hawkeye.

Match Summary
15.0 Overs
PlanetCricket: 1/63
B Blake 37* (46), 6 fours
T Lerana 10* (17), 1 four
T Smith 0/17 (3.0)
G Chapple 0/11 (3.0)

The next couple of overs were very tidy from Lancashire with PC struggling to find the gaps. Finally, Lerana broke the drought by nudging a shorter one through the off-side to beat the fielder and find the boundary. However, on the first delivery of the next over, a sizzling yorker from Chapple gave Lerana no chance and he was hit right on the foot, plumb in front. There was no other possible decision - he was gone plumb. Lancashire now had their second wicket - and their second LBW.

Lerana is caught plumb in front

T Lerana lbw b Chapple 20 (36), 2 fours

19.1 Overs
PlanetCricket: 2/77
B Blake 41* (52), 6 fours
G Chapple 1/15 (4.1)

Now joining Blake at the crease was wicketkeeper batsman Amiya. PlanetCricket were in a steady position, but if they lost one or two more wickets quickly then they would definitely have something to worry about. Amiya needed to tough it out here and score some runs.

It was not easy going, though for the next five overs. Keedy, who had been introduced to the attack was superb with his off-spin whilst Anderson was re-introduced and started to worry the batsmen. From the 5 overs after Lerana's dismissal, PlanetCricket had added only 0/13.

The run-rate slowly started to rise again however with Amiya attacking the bowlers. He punished Keedy for consecutive boundaries and he was starting to look quite comfortable at the crease - bad news for the Lancashire bowlers. Meanwhile, Blake was on 49 - but he had been scoring at a poor run rate and he needed to lift it.

Finally, the next over, Blake brought up his fifty - but it was an extremely lucky effort. It seemed Blake almost had a brain snap - calling Amiya through on a run that was never there. Thankfully, the throw was poor and the keeper had to stretch before bringing it down on to the stumps - in which time Amiya had made it home narrowly. Still, it was a solid 50 for Blake.

B Blake 50* (72), 7 fours
PlanetCricket: 2/108 (27.2 overs)

But then, disaster struck again as Amiya tried to smash Anderson across the line. In the end, he got a thick outside edge which carried straight to second slip - yet another batsman had fallen, and the run-rate was still under four. PlanetCricket really needed to get going now - they were only set for about 180-200 unless they started slogging soon.

A mistimed shot from Amiya flies to second slip

A Amiya c Smith b Anderson 24 (40), 4 fours

29.4 Overs
PlanetCricket: 3/114
B Blake 53* (76), 7 fours
J Anderson 2/32 (9.4)

Now at the crease was Callum Gray. With Jimmy Anderson having just two balls left in his over - one would logically assume that Gray would've played them defensively. Wrong. He got off to an immediate impact, smashing the first ball he faced off Anderson for four, with no fielder getting near it. He looked ready for business today - a good sign for PlanetCricket for sure.

Four runs thanks

The run-rate was fair for the next few overs until all-rounder Tom Smith returned with his dibbly-dobblers. Blake and Gray immediately took advantage, whacking 9 runs off his over - however, on the last ball disaster again was back to strike for PlanetCricket. They had not been able to keep one consistent partnership going and this showed again. This time it was opening batsman Blake who was dismissed. He attempted a vicious square cut - however, it got a thin top edge and managed to carry through to the keeper who was standing fairly close to the stumps. Now Blake was gone as well, and PlanetCricket were four wickets down.

Blake is caught behind after feathering an edge to the keeper

B Blake c Sutton b Smith 66 (90), 8 fours

34 Overs
PlanetCricket: 4/141
C Gray 12* (13), 1 four
T Smith 1/44 (7.0)

It was time now for the controller of the middle order to arrive at the crease - Brendan Gutteridge. He wasn't as much of a slogger as the other batsmen - yet knew how to score runs and how to survive - he would be a key asset through these overs.

Gutteridge scored just three runs from his first eight deliveries - but it was Gray who attempted to flatten the Lancashire bowlers. Saj Mahmood returned for a short spell - which in hindsight, might not have been the best idea. Gray flicked the second delivery off his legs for a casual four runs, before launching his next delivery five rows back straight down the ground with a massive six. He handed over the strike the next ball, before returning on the last ball to smash one through the covers for four.

Even Gutteridge was starting to get in on the action now - the next Saj Mahmood over resulted in more runs. The first two balls were whacked away for four runs courtesy of Gutteridge, before the rest of the over resulted in just three more runs - a handy eleven runs coming from that over. After 40 overs, the score had improved a lot - with PlanetCricket hitting a combined total of 0/44 in the last 6 overs at a run rate of 7.33.

Match Summary
40.0 Overs
PlanetCricket: 4/185
C Gray 39* (30), 4 fours, 1 six
B Gutteridge 17* (19), 2 fours
T Smith 1/59 (10.0)
S Mahmood 0/57 (10.0)

There were still ten more overs to be batted out, however. An ideal result for PlanetCricket would see them hitting about 80 runs from the last overs - that would get them to 260-270 and would provide a very tough target to chase. Still, they would most likely be happy with anything above or around 245.

The two batsmen immediately announced their intentions though, after Chapple was whacked for eleven runs in his over and Keedy hit for ten runs in the next over. This was proving to be a fine cameo partnership from Gray and Gutteridge, and it wasn't long before Gray brought up his half century with an elegant guided shot through the vacant third man region. His half-century had come from just 38 deliveries - a superb effort.

Gray brings up his half-century with a glide through third man for four

C Gray 51* (38), 6 fours, 1 six
PlanetCricket: 4/213 (42.5 overs)

However, the next over brought the reward for Lancashire. Gutteridge, after hitting a four from the first ball, was clean bowled by Keedy attempting to play him down the ground. The off-spinner had bowled solidly today and it was a key wicket for him and Lancashire.

B Gutteridge b Keedy 38 (31), 6 fours

43.4 Overs
PlanetCricket: 5/219
C Gray 52* (40), 6 fours, 1 six
G Keedy 1/32 (6.4)

Now it was hard-hitting all-rounder Bilal Butt at the crease. He was an extremely aggressive batsman and was perfect for these situations. PlanetCricket needed him to make some quick runs.

However, PlanetCricket were contained reasonably well, hitting just 27 runs from the next 25 balls, and it was then that the wicket fell. Callum Gray, who was high on confidence after launching his second six from Keedy, was caught the next ball LBW after a dubious decision. Replays showed the ball had pitched outside leg stump - but the umpire, after considering it, eventually gave Gray out. PlanetCricket were disappointed - but he had done well - becoming the top scorer in PlanetCricket's first ever match.

The blind umpire rules Gray out

C Gray lbw b Keedy 70 (57), 7 fours, 2 sixes

47.5 Overs
PlanetCricket: 6/246
B Butt 9* (8), 1 four
G Keedy 2/50 (8.5)

Now at the crease was Hooper, who had thirteen deliveries to whack as many runs as possible - and he did just that. The very first ball from Keedy was launched far into the distance, a massive six from Hooper on his first delivery. It's not often you see a bowler go for 6 runs, take a wicket, then go for 6 more - but there is a first for everything. It was a brilliant shot by Hooper and the crowd were now on their feet for the last two overs.

That is maximum!

The next over, however, was dreadful for PlanetCricket. Bilal Butt was dreadful, having four plays and misses in a row before being caught LBW on the fifth ball - a superb over from Chapple had given him reward - no runs and a wicket from five deliveries. Not exactly a brilliant innings from Butt.

B Butt lbw b Chapple 9 (13), 1 four

48.5 Overs
PlanetCricket: 7/252
H Hooper 6* (1), 1 six
G Chapple 2/44 (9.5)

The last ball of the over was capped off with a fresh airy from Biggy Hoff, who never even got close to the ball. A superb effort from Chapple - a wicket maiden with three separate chances.

Now it was time for the last over - Hooper would face, and he would be keen to try and grab a boundary or two.

49.1 Keedy to Hooper, Smashed down the ground for four
49.2 Keedy to Hooper, Plumb LBW

A short innings from Hooper comes to an end. He still boasts the best strike rate in the team after he launched 10 off 2 deliveries before falling the next ball. A handy knock from Hooper - hardly match defining, but it was still appreciated by the crowd.

H Hooper lbw b Keedy 10 (3), 1 four, 1 six

49.2 Overs
PlanetCricket: 8/256
B Hoff 0* (1)
G Keedy 3/60 (9.2)

The innings was finished off well by PlanetCricket, with Hoff hitting a boundary off the penultimate delivery to push Glamorgan past the total of 260. In the end, the last ten overs had been very successful for Glamorgan - they had lost wickets, but it was the final score that counted. They had hit 4/77 from the final overs - a good effort. Now it was going to be a very tough chase for Lancashire - were they up to 263 on an average pitch?

Innings Closed
B Hoff 5* (3)
B Hedger 1* (2)

Summary
PlanetCricket: 8/262 (50.0 overs)
C Gray 70 (57)
B Blake 66 (90)
G Keedy 3/66 (10)
J Anderson 2/36 (10)

Lancashire chase the total after the break - so stay tuned.

 

[CG123]

Yeah sweet man 70 off 57! I'll take that any day off the week.
Should be easily defendable.

CG123 added 0 Minutes and 33 Seconds later...

Also great how in depth you have done it, KUTGW.

 

[blake]

Cheers mate. I'm going to have dinner in a couple of minutes, then I will write the remainder after. The Lancashire innings won't be in as much detail - seeing as it isn't focused on the batsman as much.

 

[hedger_14]

Brilliant innings there. 1*. A run I'll never forget. CG was unlucky, the ball clearly pitching outside leg stump. I'll take the wickets to give our team an easy victory. Decent total there though of 262.