MBCC Captains Report

The second game of Slovenian league was a very special one. This game proved that it’spossible to defend any score with a bowling attack that is as fast and as furious as the of Maribor Cricket Club’s. As usual Maribor CC had problems gathering a full team and were playing with only 7 players. Among the team, making his debut for Maribor, was Australian fast bowler and Slovene national player, Brad Eve. Škofja Loka CC on the other hand managed to put together 11 players, including three very talented  uniors. The match was umpired by the well-known, Slovenian umpire Jaša Zidar and after a couple too many beers the night before, the not completely sober, Rob  Crawford ;)

On a cloudy and rainy day with the Valburga pitch offering a lot of bounce, Škofja Loka captain Nilesh Ujawe chose to field first. The Maribor players were quite happy  ith the decision, since they knew that if they were able to put 100 runs on the board they would, even with 4 players less, have a fair chance of winning the game. Maribor’s lefty-righty combination proved difficult to the Loka bowlers, producing 2-3 wides/byes an over. Since they had a long 40 overs ahead of them with plenty of time on their hands the Maribor players were happy to leave the short balls and cash in on the extras.

SL - 2012.04.22 - Maribor CC beat Škofja Loka CC by 15 Runs - Results

However everything changed in the last ball of the third over when Shahid pitched one up and made Maribor captain Rok play at the ball, producing a very thin edge to the keeper. Shahid also got his second wicket, in the form of Ali, who until then was timing the ball excellently but this time couldn't manage to keep the ball on the ground. Hopes of Maribor getting their 100 then lay mostly in the hands of Brad and Domen, both capable of getting big scores. Domen played a beautiful cover drive, but then unfortunately fell to the second ball of Jan Čirič, who produced a Jaffa. At that point Maribor were 35 for 3, and sensed the collapse. Nevertheless Brad fought brilliantly, hitting two 4s to square on the leg-side on a wet outfield. Unfortunately, he didn't get much support at the other end, as wickets were
falling quickly. After Paul hit one in the air and was caught, Jernej managed to get bowled on the first ball for the second time in a row, this season. He is now making plans to open a Chinese restaurant called »The Golden Duck«. Gašper managed to defend the next ball, denying Hassan a hat-trick, but was then caught behind to Shahids bowling. Maribor finished with a disappointing 52 all out, with Brad Eve the only bright exception. 

After a short break Maribor went on the field determined to give Loka a hard time and with a really good bowling line-up they still thought they had a slim chance. Škofja Loka decided to put in an experienced-inexperienced batting combination but this didn't work. Hassan skied one up in the air on the last ball of Brads first over and was caught. Domen then took 2 quick wickets in the next over putting Škofja Loka in an uncomfortable 4 for 3, after only 2 overs. Now none of the remaining Loka players wanted to come in and bat against this high-quality, fast-bowling attack. Add to this a wet outfield and some clinical fielding from Maribor, covering all the gaps with only 5 fielders, the game was all of a sudden there for the taking.

As wickets kept falling from both ends, the Maribor captain felt that the best chance of winning was to bowl Loka out and the best way to do this was to keep their opening bowlers on. This decision work out excellently, when Ram came in. He politely asked Brad not to bowl him bouncers, Brad duly obliged and comprehensively bowled him first ball! Shahid and Kapil then stabilized the innings by playing defensively for singles and doubles. This continued until they made the unfortunate mistake of challenging the MB keeper with a quick single off a legbye. The keeper’s throw was accurate and Shahid was well short of the crease, off he went. Loka were still some 20 runs behind with only 3 wickets remaining. Then in his second last over, Brad managed to sneak a wicket by trapping the well-saddled Kapil LBW. Two to go. However Maribor still needed to get rid of the Loka’s captain if they wanted to win the game.

Suddenly Domen was taken out of the attack after bowling his second beamer. Ali was then introduced to the attack in his place. He managed to put in two good LBW shouts, but was expensive as he bowled 4 wide balls in his first over, helping Loka to creep ever closer to that illusive 53. Gašper Bakač, the in-form bowler from the Mežica game who had not been used by the captain until then, was introduced. He claimed the wicket of Nilesh on his very first ball after Nilesh fell into a well set trap. One more.

The young-newcomer Nace then had the unenviable task of chasing game. He came in and managed a late cut for a single in Brad’s final over. However all was finished in the very next over as Gašper bowled Dario.

Škofja Loka were bowled out for 37. This was Maribor’s first win against Škofja Loka and what a sweet one it was! However we would like to thank Škofja Loka for an interesting and entertaining match. We would also like to thank Jaša and of course Rob, who finally managed to sober up!

for MBCC writen by Rok Bohinc,  spell ckecking by David Cox

ŠLCC Report

Maribor claimed their well-deserved first ever victory over Loka by 15 runs, with just a 7-men squad. Thanks to Brad Eve, who proved clear difference between both sides with bat and ball.

On a rain-affected day, stand-in Loka captain Nilesh duly decided to field first after winning the toss. Bowlers kept things tight with clinical fielding support from Kapil (behind the stumps), and young Nace Bevk and Alen Kaltak. Shahid was pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets, complemented by Jan who cleaned up Domen in his first over and Hass with 2 consecutive wickets.

Chasing just 53, Loka batsmen proved too vulnerable in handling Brad and Domen who bowled their full quota. Wickets kept tumbling from both ends, with wides the only things that kept the scoreboard ticking. Shahid and Kapil stabilized the lower middle order, but their resistance was ended by a silly runout. Nilesh was then left to battle along with debutant Dario Balic who defended admirably against Brad, but the damage had already been inflicted.

This defeat, instead of disappointment should be a wakeup call that urgent fixing is required in batting department. Otherwise a lot of positives to take and everyone admirably stepped up in filling senior’s gap.

SL - 2012.04.22 - Maribor CC beat Škofja Loka CC by 15 Runs - Results

for ŠLCC writen by Hassaan