Story PlanetCricket Domination

[Hooper]

Oh yeah baby, best strike rate already.

I see your the best player in the team pretty much... :sarcasm


Not a bad total in overcast conditions, we should be happy with that. Good write up, can't wait for the second innings.

 

[hedger_14]

It should be focused more on bowling though for Lancashire's innings. I don't want it to be like this when I take 10 wickets. "That was a superb bowling performance from Hedger taking 10 wickets and has given the team an easy win".

 

[blake]

Meh Hooper - quite a few batsmen have higher stats than me - if you are really desperate I'll show you the Artmoney file displaying my statistics.. I don't want to go through this again - I think Hedger knows what I mean - regarding soccer.

 

[gutterman]

im a little disappointed with my 38. why would i be dumb enough to hit the same guy twice in a row. But yes i was a key wicket.

 

[Covvy]

An average innings in my book. Hopefully the bowlers can bowl us to victory.

 

[Biggy]

I'd like to dedicate that boundary to The Haus himself, take us past 260? Don't mind if I do.. :banana2

Amazing presentation blake, lots more detail than I expected. Great work!

 

[Gary123]

Nice batting performance by the PC boys.
The total can be defended easily I think.
No worries I'm not in the team.
But I will be in 2nd one with a much improved behaviour

Great stuff blake.

 

[BKB1991]

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.

Nah mate. I didnt want to make the target unchaseable. It wasnt easy trying to miss every ball but i think i did pretty well. I mean i got all of you convinced that i was actually missing them . I could have easily whacked them out of the park if I wanted our bowlers to bowl at a competitve total so they could get into their rhythm early on in the season

Congratz to Callum and Blake for steering us out of potential trouble. But I could have done that if I was up the order.

 

[hedger_14]

yeah. He says it takes out the fun of something like this. In the Battle Of The Strikers which he started, he scored 1 or 2 goals in the first 3 games or so but then came back and scored 5 in the next and 3 in the next 2 but he posted his attributes so we didn't accuse him of cheating. We eventually stopped it though after my complete dominance scoring 2 or more goals in each game and about 20 in 6.

 

[CG123]

Of course he wasn't cheating, he may of been batting himself more defensive however but i don't have a problem with that as you need someone to anchor the innings.This can be shown as he scored about 67 off 90, while i got like 70 off 57.

 

[OffCutters]

Not a bad first innings, least i got some runs. Now all i have to do is just get some run-outs and catches while we`re fielding.

 

[hedger_14]

Hope you can do that at fine leg cause that is where you'll be fielding, Troy.

 

[blake]

My apologies for not posting this up last night - the database went down briefly as I was about to post it and I forgot about it.

CG123 - I wasn't batting myself more defensively, or any sort of similar rubbish - I batted everyone as the situation demanded. If you look, my player aggression is quite low - my batsman is set to defensive, so naturally, he won't score runs as fast. Once he was set, however, he was on one bar away from full in an attempt to raise the run-rate.. I was not batting him defensively.

Anyway, match report coming up in 10 minutes or so - Lancashire's innings with quite a few surprises.

 

[CG123]

My apologies for not posting this up last night - the database went down briefly as I was about to post it and I forgot about it.

CG123 - I wasn't batting myself more defensively, or any sort of similar rubbish - I batted everyone as the situation demanded. If you look, my player aggression is quite low - my batsman is set to defensive, so naturally, he won't score runs as fast. Once he was set, however, he was on one bar away from full in an attempt to raise the run-rate.. I was not batting him defensively.

Anyway, match report coming up in 10 minutes or so - Lancashire's innings with quite a few surprises.

Yeah that's ok sorry for accusing you. I said I knew you wern't trying to cheat or anything.
Hope we're all good.

 

[blake]

Welcome back here as we prepare for Lancashire's innings in this first round Challenge Trophy encounter. We just watched PlanetCricket post a very competitive 8/262 in their first ever match in the English domestic league - and their innings was very entertaining. Callum Gray lead the way with a superb middle order cameo knock of 70 from just 57 deliveries, whilst opener and captain Blake held the lineup together early with a composed 66 from 90. Lancashire have a good batting line-up, however the pitch isn't brilliant for batting and this match might go down to the wire.

Paul Horton and Malachy Loye have headed out to the middle, and now the PlanetCricket team is taking their place in the field. It looks like Biggy Hoff, the fiery left-armed quick, will be taking the new ball alongside Madhur Verma - two speedsters. They are definitely a fearsome opening bowling partnership - it will be interesting to see how they go today. Horton is taking strike - it looks like we are ready to start.

There was a big anti-climax though after Biggy Hoff was hit for two boundaries from Paul Horton as the first ever over bowled by PlanetCricket went for 11 runs. However, the two opening bowlers recovered well to restrict the Lancashire batsmen, and then at the end of the fourth over, Madhur Verma struck. The right arm quick was in a fearful mood and bowling at frightening pace - one of his deliveries recording 151.8km/h - and he claimed a huge wicket early. Paul Horton, who averaged 46 in FC and was one of the leaders of the batting lineup fell LBW after Verma slipped a quicker delivery through and struck him on the pad - the umpire having no hesitation. Verma had his first, and Lancashire were down early!

P Horton lbw b Verma 14 (14)
Madhur Verma: 2-0-10-1

Lancashire: 1/23 (4.0)
M Loye 9* (10)
B Hoff: 0/13 (2.0)
M Verma: 1/10 (2.0)

Lancashire need 240 runs at 5.21 / over

However, Biggy's next over was bowled poorly - a short ball was hammered for six by Ashwell Prince facing just his third delivery. On the other hand, Madhur Verma was simply devastating. He claimed his next wicket midway through his third over - this time it was the other opening batsmen in Malachy Loye who was beaten for pace. Verma bowled a searing yorker that was almost literally unplayable. It was one of his best - a tad of inswing right on the foot of Loye who did well to avoid breaking a few toes. Needless to say, Loye's leg stump was knocked back and the bails went flying through the air - a sensational wicket for Verma who was putting the pressure on Lancashire.

Verma rips in a cracking yorker to send Loye back to the pavilion

M Loye b Verma 13 (18)
Madhur Verma 3.3-0-13-2

Lancashire: 2/39 (7.3)
A Prince 11* (14)
B Hoff: 0/26 (4.0)
M Verma: 2/13 (3.3)

Lancashire need 224 runs at 5.27 / over

The pressure was on Lancashire now. Verma was bowling brilliantly, and if Biggy Hoff could keep it tight at the other end then wickets were bound to come.

However, Prince and Croft recovered the total for Lancashire, playing out the fast bowlers sensibly. In the end, Blake decided to bring both of them out after they had bowled six overs - they were beginning to tire. It was time to throw two leg-spinners into the mix - Brendon Hedger and Hooper.

Hooper started his first over off poorly with the first ball going for a leg-side wide, but the rest of his over was rock solid - Croft not scoring any runs from it as the run rate required crept over 5.5.

Match Summary
15.0 Overs
Lancashire: 2/63
A Prince 22* (33)
S Croft 10* (28)
M Verma 2/22 (6.0)
B Hedger 0/7 (2.0)
H Hooper 0/1 (1.0)

Lancashire need 200 runs at 5.71 / over

With another tight over from Hedger, the required run rate moved up to 5.71. These two batsmen needed to start scoring - if they let it get too far past 6 early it might be tough to chase down later, especially if wickets fell.

However, Hooper was bowling brilliantly and it paid off. His first delivery of the second over turned a mile, leaving Prince bamboozled, and the second one resulted in a wicket. It pitched on leg stump, and Prince decided to go a massive slog sweep across the line. However, he didn't estimate for the turn, and in the end he picked up a massive top edge as the ball jagged away. As a result, the ball flew down to the boundary on fine leg before a sensational catch was taken by a diving Brendon Hedger. It was a great team play by PlanetCricket and they were really in control now, with Lancashire losing their number 3 batsman in Ashwell Prince.

A mistimed sweep shot goes flying off the top edge

A Prince c Hedger b Hooper 22 (35)
Hooper 1.2-0-1-1

Lancashire: 3/63 (15.2)
S Croft 10* (28)
B Hedger: 0/7 (2)
Hooper: 1/1 (1.2)

Lancashire need 200 runs at 5.77 / over

Hooper was bowling lethally now - the spin bowler was ripping them in like Warne, and the next ball he almost picked up another wicket. Sutcliffe, facing his first delivery, decided to give himself some room to attempt a cut shot - however, the ball spun in almost knocking out his off stump - in the end, it just missed and slipped through to the keeper.

Lancashire did well to survive for the next five overs - although Sutcliffe and Croft hardly looked comfortable at the crease. They were given some luck - a fine edge trickling for four down the leg side, and some shots landing safely. However - it wasn't long before their luck finally ran out. Sutcliffe, who had been shaky under the pressure of Hedger and Hooper, finally misjudged a straight ball and played down the wrong line. It was a straighter delivery from Hedger - a brilliant mix-up delivery after his previous ones were turning, and Sutcliffe had no clue. It struck him right in front and the umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger.

I Sutcliffe lbw b Hedger 8 (14)
Brendon Hedger 4.4-0-18-1

Lancashire: 4/86 (20.4)
S Croft 25* (46)
B Hedger: 1/18 (4.4)
Hooper: 1/13 (4)

Lancashire need 177 runs at 6.03 / over

With the required run rate now raising above six, and these two spinners bowling brilliant economical and wicket-taking spells, Lancashire looked to be in deep trouble four wickets down. Now they were calling upon the services of wicketkeeper Luke Sutton, who had an unimpressive OD average of 18.71. If the PlanetCricket team picked up another wicket now, Lancashire would be pretty much on their death bed.

Blake soon decided it was a change of bowling - he was about to introduce the third legspinner of the team in Bilal Butt. After Hooper's earlier wicket, he hadn't looked quite so threatening and decided to replace him with Butt for now - it was to be Hedger and Butt bowling in tandem. It would be interesting to see the impact he had - after batting poorly, Butt would want to make some runs to get back up to scratch.

But Butt struggled in his first two overs. Whilst Croft and Sutton weren't flying along, they were managed to still score some decent runs and PlanetCricket needed someone to break this partnership. After a short while, Blake decided he was going to bring back left arm quick Biggy Hoff into the attack to bowl with Butt. Hedger had bowled well and he would definitely be more useful later in the innings to tie down the economy.

Hoff's return to the attack had the immediate impact. On just his second delivery of the spell, he got the big breakthrough - Croft edging one into the slips. Jake McDonald didn't drop those chances, and with a superb catching technique he never looked in doubt. Hoff had the big wicket and he was delighted - that was the man that Lancashire were relying on.

Hoff celebrates with a trademark pose

S Croft c McDonald b Hoff 35 (60)
Biggy Hoff 6.2-0-34-1

Lancashire: 5/109 (26.2)
L Sutton 13* (20)
B Hoff 0/34 (6.2)
B Butt 0/11 (2.0)

Lancashire need 154 runs at 6.51 / over

After Hoff's wicket though, the next over was woeful. Bilal Butt was struggling to find any rhythm at all, and he was smacked for 12 runs, prompting Blake to bring him out of the attack immediately. However, Hoff was targeted next as well and he was smashed for 14 runs from another over - suddenly, this cameo partnership was getting Lancashire back in the match.

The return of Hooper however was the one that saw the wicket fall. Smith got a thick bottom edge attempting a back foot cover drive and it managed to carry to silly point, where McDonald took his second catch of the innings and another good one. Lancashire were now relying on bowler Chapple at the crease alongside Sutton. However, PlanetCricket needed the wicket of that man in Sutton - he was strolling along on 37 from 34 and he looked to be the only threat so far to the innings.

T Smith c McDonald b Hooper 13 (18)
Hooper 6.2-0-25-2

Lancashire: 6/149 (31.2)
L Sutton 37* (34)
B Hoff 1/56 (9.0)
Hooper 2/25 (6.2)

Lancashire need 114 runs at 6.11 / over

Despite Sutton still being at the crease, it was a long way back for Lancashire who needed 114 runs to win at over six an over, with a bowler at the crease. It was certainly looking like PlanetCricket's game now - but could Sutton and Lancashire pull something out of the air?

Lancashire still had hope - it seemed. Chapple wasn't a complete bunny, with a first class average of almost 25, and he knew how to hit runs. After the first ball of his innings however, their hope had faded - he was on his way back. The Hooper had struck again - a brilliant delivery catching him plumb LBW. Hooper was on a hat-trick and Lancashire were clueless on how to play him. This was a prime spell of bowling here from Hooper.

G Chapple lbw b Hooper 0 (1)
Hooper 6.3-0-25-3

Lancashire: 7/149 (31.3)
L Sutton 37* (34)
B Hoff 1/56 (9.0)
Hooper 3/25 (6.3)

Lancashire need 114 runs at 6.16 / over

And now.. the hat-trick ball. The crowd stood in anticipation. The silence was deafening. There was a hustle in the field - everyone was ready. Hooper's hat-trick ball.. surely he couldn't do it - not in PlanetCricket's first ever game. It was Hooper to Mahmood. The number 9 wasn't sensational, but surely he could keep out one delivery.

Hooper approached the crease...

He delivered the ball...

The ball flew through the air...

It pitched on middle and leg stump - surely Mahmood hat this covered...

Then, IT TURNED A MILE. Mahmood had no idea.. his stumps were scattered into pieces!

Hooper had done it with the hat-trick ball!! What an incredible effort! This was something special from Hooper - a brilliant hat-trick to single handedly demolish Lancashire. Incredible - in his first game, too!

Sensational stuff there from Hooper. Lancashire were a mile gone now - they might've had hope at 5/149, but definitely not 8/149. What a brilliant over from Hooper.

S Mahmood b Hooper 0 (1)
Hooper 6.4-0-25-4

Lancashire: 8/149 (31.4)
L Sutton 37* (34)
B Hoff 1/56 (9.0)
Hooper 4/25 (6.4)

Lancashire need 114 runs at 6.22 / over

After all the celebrations though, there was still one more test. Could Hooper pick up the five wicket haul? He had four now - just one wicket away from what would almost surely earn him Man of the Match honours. Or perhaps, could Hooper take four in a row?

The four in a row was ruled out after it was pushed away for a single, but he was still hopeful for the five wicket haul. Madhur Verma was now returning into the attack alongside him - Blake was evidently going for the kill now with his two strike bowlers attacking Lancashire.

After an unsuccessful over from Verma, Hooper still had the five wicket haul on his mind. The first four deliveries didn't challenge the batsmen.. but on the fifth...

You bet it. Sutton became the fifth victim of Hooper, who was bowling an incredible spell. Sutton attempted to chop one away through the off side, but a thick outside edge was well taken by Blake at first slip to cap off Hooper's sensational five wicket haul. What an effort it had been - five wickets for the legspinner and a guaranteed victory now to go with it.

L Sutton c Blake b Hooper 41 (40)
Hooper 7.5-0-30-5

Lancashire: 9/160 (33.5)
J Anderson 7* (7)
M Verma 2/28 (7)
Hooper 5/30 (7.5)

Lancashire need 103 runs at 6.36 / over

The last batsman to arrive at the crease was Gary Keedy, who had yet to score more than 35 runs in a one day match despite being 34 years of age. He looked like an easy victim for Hooper or Verma to clean up - but in the end it was Anderson who fell. Hooper didn't manage to pick up six, but it hardly mattered - he would surely be content with five. It had been a brilliant team performance from PlanetCricket, especially with the ball. Verma claimed Anderson in his eighth over to finish with superb figures himself of 7.5-1-29-3, but he had been overshadowed by Hooper who was simply brilliant taking 5/31 from 8 overs.

J Anderson c Blake b Verma 7 (11)
Madhur Verma 7.5-1-29-3

Innings Closed
Lancashire: 10/162 (34.5)
G Keedy 2* (2)
M Verma 3/29 (7.5)
Hooper 5/31 (8.0)

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: 10/162 (34.5 overs)
L Sutton 41 (40)
S Croft 35 (60)
Hooper 5/31 (8)
M Verma 3/29 (7.5)

PlanetCricket win by 100 runs

Man of the Match: Hooper