Darjeeling CC vs. Parsi Gymkhana (Bombay)

Sat Feb 22nd afternoon, Greenfield School, DIP, 25 overs

Clearing skies with a hint of cloud, temperature increasing to an unseasonable 27°C

Social cricket is most fun when there’s a reasonably competitive game, everyone gets to contribute, and the match is played in good spirit. And so it turned out to be against one of India’s oldest cricket clubs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsi_Gymkhana,_Marine_Drive

In typical gentlemanly fashion Watto negotiated the toss and offered the visitors first dibs with the bat. Khushal and Neville came to the crease, to negotiate the bowling of Brent and Oli Page doing their best on a slow, slightly two-paced track with a bit of clay in it.

Brent and Oli kept it reasonably tight, and at 15 in the 4th over Neville was castled by Oli without having bothered the scorers over a 9-ball stay. On the other hand Khushal, after getting the measure of the track and the outfield, set out to play one of the more cultured innings we’ve seen from an opposition batsman in a long while… not just social oppo, but also in sharp contrast to the modern dashers, agricultural smashers and hopeful slashers of the DSL. After 6 overs Watto rung the changes, Brent 3-0-24-0 and Oli 3-1-10-1

The skipper Manek kept him good company, nurdling it in the arc between third man and point for the most part, and the two put on 85 for the second wicket off 12 overs and a bit, despite Nick bowling very well from the Port End and unlucky with a few near misses (3-0-20-0), and yours truly doing his bit from the School End (5-0-30-0) with a bit of cat-and-mouse against Khushal.

At the 2nd drinks break after 16 overs, Khushal retired for 66 off 59 (9×4 and 1×6), having played orthodox shots with good shape, on an outfield which seemed to have quickened considerably since our last match on this pitch.

We were a bit thin on spin and Arsalan replaced Nick (who had to come off after a stunning Darjeeling FC style trap of a very hard hit straight drive as he followed through), for a couple of overs of (allegedly) off spin, 2-0-12-0, before the quicks came back on, Olly vdB with some seam-up, and Ben who struck immediately, castling a really good-looking left-handed batsman who had swivel-pulled his first delivery for a flat 4 through square leg, and then again in his second and third overs, ending up with 3-0-12-3 as the lower middle order perished rapidly whilst trying to get to a competitive total.

A good run-out and 2-0-21-0 from the new lad Sheyhan, and the visitors ended up with an under-par 172/8, about 40 short as they admitted later, despite having batted almost 3-1/2 extra overs as we conceded 24 extras (18wd, 3nb).

Charles and Arsalan opened the batting for us, and they galloped along to 57 when Charles was out for a well-made 33 (29b, 5×4) in the 7th over and Tebby came in, only to depart in the 8th. Meanwhile Arsalan played a few gorgeous shots, and both our openers had made evident to the oppo that we could bat, too.

Stokes-like, our Ben took that even further with shots around the park, even as Arsalan was out c&b for an easy-on-the-eye 31 (21b, 5×4). Watto and Brent came and went, and it began to look like a potentially ominous collapse could be on the cards, but Olly vdB kept his head, batted the situation, gave Ben the strike and drove classically when he could. The two put on 66 for the 6th wicket and took us to a win in the 22nd, with Ben 56* (36b, 3×4, 3×6) and Olly 17* (27b).

Ben Jones was deservedly MoM for his all-round heroics, and after a good speech by the visitors’ travelling luminary, duly anointed by the opposition skipper… 

Darjeeling CC vs Dubai Mammoths on Friday 04 January 2019 at The Sevens By Umer Saleem

Weather – windy & sunny with the odd A380 flying overhead
Toss won by Dubai Mammoths, electing to bat first

The first game of the 2019 friendly XI calendar commenced with the Darjeeling skipper losing the toss as usual. The men of Darjeeling slapped on the sun cream entered the field of battle. The Mammoths openers started off strong, with an opening stand of about 100 before one of their openers retired. The Darjeeling openers bowled well at times, loose balls punished for boundaries. Andries 0-45 off 5, Ninja 0-19 off 3 overs, not bad for Ninja still recovering from his 6-month cold. 
Lanky & Badger misjudged a high catch in the windy conditions off Ninja.
The Badger was bought on first change, 0-30 off 5 overs. There were a couple stumpings, decided not out by the Square Leg Umpire, who was spotted admiring A380s flying over the ground at 25,000 ft. Rachitt & Ollie came on to bowl, Rachitt picking up an LBW, 1-31 off 4 overs, Ollie clean bowling the number 3 bat after a several wides in the wind. Another close LBW was deemed not out, much to Ollies frustration after finally bowling a straight one bowling cross seam. Umer took a smart catch off Ollie at short mid-on, Van Damme finishing 2-31 off 4 overs. Club captain Nick came on to bowl, seen warming up from the 2nd over did not disappoint. A tidy spell, 2-25 off 4 overs, good catch from Ram in the deep and another clean bowled. The Mammoths finished on 186-5 off 25 overs, 25 extras, both keepers trying their best.

The Darjeeling chase was opened up by Charles and Casper. Contrasting batsman in style, Casper’s ‘Somerset-esque’ agricultural style rewarded him a 4 & 6, caught in the ring for 11, Darjeeling 30-1 off 4.4 overs. Ram played a watchful couple of overs for 4 before being bowled. The Japanese Samurai Lords from heavens above awaited Darjeeling’s own Samurai Silent Assassin’s innings. LBW first ball golden duck. The score now 70-3 off 10.1 overs. Charles was batting with patience and punishing the bad ball.

Chiang Mai 6s specialist, with a new gun imported from silky Sialkot, Umer came in at 5, a 44-run partnership followed in 31-balls. The opposition bowlers bowled tight with the odd loose ball smashed to the boundary by the batsmen. The 1s, 2s, 4s were coming 360 degrees of the wicket. This partnership could have been game set & match for Darjeeling, with 60-odd required in the last 10 overs. Umer was out for 21 off 14 balls, skying a ball to deep mid off to an off spinner’s half volley that should of landed at Al Maktoum Airport.
Lanky, after stopping about 20 runs in the field earlier in the game came in at 6. Bowled first ball golden duck.

As we all know, golden ducks don’t come often, but when they do, they tend to arrive in pairs! Rachitt made a wristy 10 runs, out stumped. Potty next in, bowled for another Golden Duck!
The wickets kept on tumbling, Charles on about 70-odd, Darjeeling still needed 50 off the last 5 overs.

Andries was out for 4, and Club Captain 13 off 5 balls smashing a couple 6s with Umer’s gun, a late cameo ending up stumped. Ollie walked in, Darjeeling needing 26 off 5 balls. After a few plays and misses, Darjeeling lost by 23 runs.

Standout performances by Charles ending on 81* & Umer 21. 
Club Captain with an all-round performance, Badger & Ollie for bowling. Time to ‘quack-quack’ to the next fixture!

Darjeeling CC v Loose Cannons by Wade Golightly

A different format for a change by Wade

On 21st September Darjeeling welcomed the intrepid Loose Cannons for some early evening (and just starting to cool) battles on the larger of the two ovals.

Pre-match meeting adjourned in Kickers at 5:30pm, players were eager to ensure that the bodies were warm and ready to fire in the upcoming match. Key batsmen Blikkies stated that at least 4 beverages need to be consumed in order to perform at his elite ability, there were no objections. Following the Captains downing of his second beverage, the boys were warm and ready.

Inside the changing room the boys exchanged stories of the sources of their Cricket Bat’s, Misbah Ul-Haq was mentioned repeatedly.

 

Darjeeling Batting:

 

  1. Blikkies –              5          Quick fire innings. Bowled comprehensively off the short chap with a bit of gas
  2. Graeme –           68          Man of the match performance (IMO) Bowled
  3. Stanni –               10          Stumped after running to the bowlers crease to meet the ball
  4. Shugie –               40          Clean hitting, bullied the bowling. Bowled off the short chap with a bit of gas
  5. Rohan                   1          Not much to report. LBW
  6. Wade                    0          Strong performance from the non-strikers end. Bowled
  7. Millar                    7*        Season end average is forecasted to be at the 40 mark. Not Out
  8. Stephan                6          Poor umpiring decision. LBW
  9. Shehan                 13*      Was In the changing room, I’m told a promotion in the batting order is needed.

 

Darjeeling Bowling:

 

  1. Etienne               3 Overs, 0 wickets, 23 runs. Solid performance, brilliant final over
  2. Sheehan             2 Overs, 0 wickets, 29 runs. See batting performance
  3. Stefan                 3 Overs, 0 wickets, 30 runs. Umpires shoulders were hard at work, plenty wides
  4. Wade                  2 Overs, 0 wickets, 19 runs. Under 6 foot bowlers, should not ball short
  5. Ash                      3 Overs, 1 wicket,   33 runs. Brilliant first 2 overs, 3rd over was regrettable (21 runs)
  6. Shugie                 4 Overs, 0 wickets, 28 runs. Deserved a wicket, quality performance.
  7. Stannie               3 Overs, 2 wickets, 24 runs. Age is just a number, quality.

 

Result:

 

Match went to the last ball, Darjeeling lost by about 5 wickets (TBC)

 

Any queries on the report, please send to Shugie.

Darjeeling v Savannah Lions by Nathan Cartwright

To set the scene for the days play, our studious scorer and club captain Nick described the conditions as ‘murky, muggy, grey, close, calm, but permeated by the gentle hum of construction work and Badgers moaning…’ and so it was for the start of the days play.

With that out of the way skipper for the day Etienne duly won the toss and DCC opted to bat.

Rohan and Rach opening and getting the team off to a solid start, 1-56 in the 8th with Racchit falling for an almost run a ball 30. Then enters into the match what I can only describe as a right handed SoB (son of Badger). Pulling the pin out and bowling some loopy leggie grenades (as opposed to Badgers left arm chinaman but close enough). SoB seemed to favour the straight one that goes on with the arm (i.e. there was no turn) but on a sticky wicket collecting three scalps in quick succession, Rohan falling for a well compiled 30, yours truly skying one to mid on for a duck and then Silky Thighs to a dubious LBW decision for 14. We have an early contender for the teddy award, with Silky at first refusing to walk once being given out, then proceeding to question the decision all the way back to the pavilion with an innocent chair feeling the full brunt of his fury being sent flying with a swing of the cricket bat. If only he had thought of that when facing SoB, as my dad would say ‘that’s what your bats for son..’ In Silky’s defence he claims it pitched outside leg, he was a mile down the track and he hit it. It looked pretty plum from where we were sitting but we’ll take his word for it over the neutral umpire that we were paying for.

So at 4-95 in the 11th over with wickets falling things weren’t looking too good, a fact observed by the friendly chaps in the field offering some advice that we should pad the rest of the team up as it would all be over soon. From this point on Jerome and Elliot took the bowling attack apart (including the previously unplayable SoB) hauling DCC to a highly defendable 195, including 30 from the last two overs. Remarkable when you think we hit only one 6 for the entire innings (thank you Mr. Elliott). Jerome finishing up not out on 65 off not that many well supported by Elliott not out 31.

With renewed vigor we took to the field, Etienne opening from the ICC end picking up a wicket in the first over caught by Nick in the covers. Nick relieved to take the catch after being offered some advice that it was a sitter just prior to being pouched. SL 1-5 after 1.

This brought to the crease SoB who Silky Thighs described as ‘if he was playing for DCC he would be the best batsman in the club.’ High praise indeed. The other opener Armand and SoB then set about serenely going along at the required rate without taking too many risks, Etienne taking the brunt of this going for 1-51 from his 4 overs. Shehan keeping things tight at the other end however with 1-21 off his 4. SL 1-71 after 8.

Nick then bought into the attack and duly spanked for 19, we were only missing the beamer and the bouncer as he displayed his full repertoire. The real Badger coming on and going for 10 off his first at the other end although bowling well apart from a first ball loosener. At drinks SL 1-100 and looking in control.

I would like to know what Nick consumed at drinks, something in the water, perhaps some left over linseed oil from Thursday nights proceedings, who knows. His next three overs going for just 17 runs and beating the edge consistently. Nick finishing 0-36 from his 4. The pressure was starting to tell at the other end also with Badger bowling beautifully and finishing 0-28 from his 4, unlucky to be on the wrong end of a close stumping call and a few miscued shots just evading fielders (and an obligatory dropped catch)… plus one alleged missed stumping however the ball was coming that slow the batsman could have run two and was well back by the time the bails were broken.

SL 1-137 after 16 overs 59 needed from 4 overs, still very gettable.

The next two overs from Racchit and Jerome (bowling leg spin) going for 33 runs, bringing the Lions right back into the game. SL 1-170 after 18, 26 to win from 2.

19th over Rach found his line and bowled well only going for 8 runs, 17 to win from the last. Jerome having seen two of his leggies disappear over the mound and into the school his previous over decided sensibly to stick to medium pace for the final over.

1st ball 4, game on 13 needed off 5. Second ball swing and a miss, the batsman scamper through only for the keeper to throw down the stumps. SoB run out for 65. 13 needed off 4 with a bearded Caspar now at the crease and on strike. 3rd ball two, 11 needed off 3. 4th ball dot, 11 needed off 2. 5th ball 4, 6 needed off the last for a tie… one run off the last DCC win by 5 runs. SL opening bat Armand ending up stranded on 92 not out. Rach ending up 0-23 from his two overs and Jerome 0-28 from his 2. Jerome MoM for his 65no and last over bowling.

Refreshments  followed in the bar, Casper agreeing that SoB could well develop into Badger if he concentrates on his game.

Darjeeling CC v Abu Dhabi Gents. By Umer Saleem

On 20th February, Darjeeling Friendly XI welcomed the Abu Dhabi Gentlemen at the ICC Cricket Academy.

The last few encounters between the two sides have seen the Abu Dhabi Gentlemen victorious & Darjeeling team wanted to make sure this was put to an end.

The days play started off with the Darjeeling fielding team waiting for the batsmen, reviewing some sort of worm attacking some sort of wasp at short cover.

For the non-biological-boffins, the cricket couldn’t start soon enough.

Chris M, debutant opened the bowling & bowled very well. He picked up 2 wickets for 18, both caught. Ieuan caught an impressive catch running both back ward & side ward, much to his parents delight, watching on from the Pavilion. Greg Moses, Mr Darjeeling, star performer with the ball, bowled both economically & successfully, picking up 1 for 6 off 3 overs.

Miller & Ash (Skip) were running late & joined the field for battle.

The score was 24-3 off 7 overs, it was clear we were in for a low-scoring affair, with the pitch being slow with improbable bounce.

David was first change & also kept the bowling very tight, returning with respective figures of 1 for 15 off his 4 overs.

There was some hope for the Gentlemen with a partnership of nearly 30, between the opener aka ‘The Keeper’ scored a snail pace 22 (44 balls) & number 7 batsman ‘Shaun’ who managed 27 (off about the same number of balls). There were a flurry of boundaries, good shots by the batsmen off Brendan & Dex. When they both bowled a good line, the pitch did the rest of the talking. Dex was slightly baffled by a couple of caught & bowled opportunities, borderline lack of commitment off his own bowling.

Ash was the impressive with the ball, figures of 3-25 off 3 overs. Brenden had figures of 0 – 21 off, Dex 0-18 off 2. The fielding was higher than the average Darjeeling display, one handed pick-ups on the boundaries, quick releases & a few dives for the audience, about 3 people in total.

The Abu Dhabi Gentlemen ended up on 108 – 7 off their 20 overs.

After a short break, the chase was on, Umer & Peter opened the batting. Peter was bowled by a leg spinner in the 2nd over, 2nd ball, Darjeeling 4 – 1. Paul, Chris & Grant all hit some nice shots, but none could make double figures on the difficult wicket. Paul with a slash pull, Chris with straight drives & Grant with a cover drive.

Umer (The Original, not Malik), started off slow, held up an need & saw off the opening bowlers & started to gain momentum by hitting a pull shot, straight drive & slash outside off, fine of 3rd Man, all to the Keeper’s disappointment. He was out trying to cover drive off the back foot, caught mid-off diving forward. The score was 50 odd after 11 overs, Darjeeling behind the rate mainly due a lack of partnership. Greg managed 9 runs, out caught & Ieuan for a duck also caught.

At one point Darjeeling required 60 runs off 42 balls.

With Darjeeling looking at yet another defeat against Abu Dhabi, Brenden, the silent assassin / ninja decided it was up to him to change the outcome of the result.

Dex well supported for the much needed partnership, Brenden hit a masterful array of shots hitting one of the bowlers for about 26 runs. The pick of the shots were a pull for 6 & straight drive for 6.

With the job still not finished Dex hit a couple of boundaries, Darjeeling needing 4 off the last 6 balls.

Fittingly a boundary was smashed early into the last over, Darjeeling strangling the Abu Dhabi Gentlemen much like the worm & wasp from earlier in the day.

 

A great win & a great all round team performance, onto the Canadians!

Darjeeling CC (UAE) vs Premier CC (Canada), By Ash Banerjee

 

February 23rd 2018

With all of our players turning up uncharacteristically punctually (only to realise it was a 10:30 am start), the pre-game banter was in full flow whilst the academy tykes occupied the pitch and we waited for the opposition to arrive. In due course a ‘Fancy’ minibus wound its way through the car park maze (as it is now) and disgorged our Canadian visitors. They were resplendent in their dark brown playing kit, looking somewhat like the UAE team might after several months into their post-season fitness regimen of extra-large servings of biryanis followed by leisurely walks around the block.

Fittingly, the hyphenated-Canadians were met with a motley Darjeeling crew of mostly hyphenated and some non-hyphenated Brits and Aussies. With customary Darjeeling hospitality, the home skipper (sporting the club blazer, as we sometimes do to impress upon visiting teams our longstanding heritage… but minus the newly-minted club flip-flops, which Badger unsportingly refused to loan him for the toss) offered up a choice of three large coins: a Kennedy half-dollar, a two-pound coin and an old dirham. In typical North American style the visiting skipper opted for the half-dollar, called right, and chose to bat.

Your correspondent then informed him that “we walk on a nick,” etc., the two shook hands pledging a fair contest, extended and accepted an invitation for a post-match pint, all whilst the DCC malcontents grumbled and moaned sotto voce about having to field first after their generally good (but evidently not excessive) Thursday night shenanigans.

As we took the field (with typical Darjeeling nonchalance seasoned with cynicism) in green for this white-ball match, it became evident that our three walking wounded (Kirky – groin, don’t ask, Rohan M – calf and Umer – ankle) would not be able to move with even a tenth of the alacrity of Usain Bolt, and their surnames on the day might as well be Kripalani. With Badger in the side as well, the infield had magically sorted itself out even before we’d stepped into the 30-yard circle.

Just when one thinks we’ve seen everything… in a cricketing first in our story-rich annals, the Canadians had brought along a videographer who stood behind the umpire and beamed out play on Facebook Live for the benefit of those back in Toronto who had stayed up late into the northern night to watch this momentous match in their club’s cricketing history. Learn, o ye of little faith who won’t turn up to watch your clubmates play mediocre cricket in a Friday friendly! Et tu, Matt Peet, neighborly resident of Sports City, dancer of note, active member of three cricket clubs, winner of the Chairman’s Award, nominated volunteer Committee Member for Membership Affairs

Proceedings began with Dave from the School/City End and Badger from the Academy/Desert End continuing the legendary Darjeeling hospitality, respectively offering up a buffet of gently swinging and slowly spinning offerings which were duly feasted upon by the visitors, hungrily seeking redemption after their loss the previous evening to GEMS at the Sevens.

At an untenable 50/0 after 5 overs the changes were rung in, with Jerome and Dexy replacing Dave and Stu, and immediately the rot was stemmed as both “bowled in the right areas” (as cricketers and commentators are so fond of saying ad nauseum on the telly these days), “hit the right lengths,” “varied their pace to keep the batsmen guessing,” etc.

Not after some eventful happenings though – your correspondent shelled a steepling top-edged swirler at cover off Dave (yes, I’m 50-50 these days as the eyes degenerate further), and one of the openers nicked Dexy off palpably to Ieuan behind the stumps (it was heard in Canada on the Facebook feed, as we learned subsequently), but refused to walk after being given not out by their man standing… despite the most gentle, most polite, and most endearingly encouraging entreaties from all in the infield.

“Gentlemen, are we gentlemen?” you might ask upon reading of this terribly un-sportsman-like behavior (from them, of course, not us).

Most definitely we are, despite the quantity (and dubious quality) of smut pumped regularly into both WhatsApp banter groups by some of our more upstanding and rigid members. However, Darjeeling morality has generally tended to be contextually and situationally flexible (like the many shades of grey), much like the moral probity of the two supposedly neutral umpires who stood in last Saturday’s DSL game vs. Wombats Yellow and triggered half our side on horrendously callous lbw shouts… but I digress.

Well, a line had been crossed, so we bolted the bar doors, twirled our metaphorical brollies, morphed into Kingsmen, got on with it, and proceeded to tighten the screws on the Statesmen of Ontario. King Arthur George of Chiang Mai would have been proud of us reigning in our generosity when faced with ungentlemanly conduct.

With his tail up (possibly after watching Jackie Beltrao run through the football scores on Sky Sports?), a Merlin-esque Dexy conjured up one of his best spells any of us have seen, clamping one end down tighter than the proverbial Golden Circle (allegorically cinematic, not factually like an unfortunate and blameless sphincter suffering mightily after a dodgy curry night out somewhere in the seamy underbelly of Satwa).

With Jerome and later Krish bowling equally parsimoniously from the other end, the rate dropped from 10 an over to 6-ish, and consequently the worm turned, much like the Rand and the economic fortunes of South Africa drooped under The Zuma Kleptocracy (Robert Ludlum’s imminent best-seller – it happens to be World Book Day today, really).

Wickets fell regularly (despite Grant and someone else shelling a catch apiece in the deep) as the lower order ably, variously, and vividly demonstrated their ineptitude against spin of a certain vintage and quality (Badge and Jez bowling the last 4) and the visitors ended up on 153/8 off their 20, setting us up to chase at an entirely attainable 7.5/over. Despite taking a bit of tap in the powerplay, we had bowled extremely well: Dave 3-35-1, Stu 4-35-2, Rich 4-20-1, Jerome 4-25-2, Krish 3-20-1, Ash 2-12-1.

Alas the visitors’ app which they were scoring on proved less reliable than their videographer, crashing conveniently at the innings break; accordingly this report is short on the oppo’s batting details, and our bowling figures are the collective approximations of whatever’s left of Stu’s and my cobwebby brains. Then again, this newspaper has long favoured the embellishment of the inconsequential over the accuracy of the factual, and in this day and age of fake news we stand resolutely behind our moral duplicity.

With skippering duties split across innings, Galahad Jr. (Kirky playing Eggsy with elan) was running the chase, and the batting order was conventional with the man himself and Jerome opening. Kirky went early for 9 off 12, the inflatable doll punching bag in the changing room coming under immediate threat of violence most severe and sustained.

Grant walked in at 3 and got under way promptly with a sublime first-ball leg-glance for 4, living up to his moniker of ‘silky thighs.’ Meanwhile Jerome, too, succumbed to the whippier of the two opening bowlers, caught for 8 off 6. Enter Umer, a few nurdles and then out lbw for 5 off 11, even as Grant eschewed his usual jack-in-the-box and shuffle routines and hunkered down keeping the asking rate in mind, batting quite well and chipping away at the target.

Rohan in at 5, off the mark with a carbon copy of Grant’s first scoring shot, and the two motored along in our most substantial partnership, with Rohan lofting one over cow for the only 6 of our innings, but out shortly thereafter for a rapid-fire 20 off 15, with us bossing the rate at this point.

Young Thomas, in the side as a batsman subbing for Badger who left early, then batted very sensibly, giving Grant much of the strike for a well-made 11 off 12. Ieuan was in next, while Grant dispatched the bowling to all parts in a flurry of boundaries as the win loomed and the Canadians wilted.

All done and dusted in the penultimate over, Grant 78* (11 x 4) off 54 the MoM, Ieuan 9* off 6, and we had won chasing (again!) by 5 wickets and the beverages would taste even better.

A second invitation to the pub was issued to the oppo, and accepted, yet they failed to turn up. Someone ought to publish a book about cricket tours for the uninitiated – “Social Cricket for Dummies,” perhaps?

A good time in the pub afterwards with most players in attendance, with thanks to Matt Carney for umpiring through the match, thanks to our Aussies for keeping their inner Bogans in check against flaky opposition, and a thumbs-up for erstwhile member Bill Collier (left in ’88) who spectated with great interest.

Darjeeling v Abu Dhabi Gents by Matt Peet

2018-01-06 18.22.54
The venue was the illustrious Sheikh Zayed Stadium, ordinarily a batting road for test match players, but the groundsman had seen fit to prepare a green top for the two English teams facing off, and a slightly longer format of 25 overs.
George Hellyeah was skipper and immediately told everyone it was his first match skippering, but after that, picked up his team speech and ended strongly. The general plan was to set an off side field and bowl outside off stump.
The Abu Dhabi openers were quite contrasting  styles. Garth was a trying to nudge it around and the other chap, “Dasher” was swinging from the hip at everything. Matt Jacob was expensive for his first two overs whilst Shehan exerted lots of control. That being said by over 4 we had managed to work out Dashers penchant for the lofted drive, set the long on fielder accordingly,  and he duly delivered it straight to the fielder.
However the skipper considered that to be a lucky wicket and so Matt was taken off and Krishna was brought on. Krishna bowled very well and got a decent amount of swing, finishing with 1 for 17 off his 4 over spell, snaring Gareth through sheer run pressure. Skip only taking them off in order to keep an over of each of them in reserve for the end
At the other end, Mike Phillips was brought on for Shehan. It was quickly apparent he was struggling  for control as he consistently tossed 2-3 down the leg side every over. A quick word about bowling cross-seam fixed it for him, and he found more consistency. Couple of the shorter balls troubled the batsman, but Nav (the batsman) changed tack and played a variety of late cuts, together with the occasional drive. Mike finished with figures of 4 over for 39 but definitely learnt from his spell against a couple of quality middle order batsman.
The halfway drinks were had, and it was definitely even-stevens between the teams.
Badge was brought on, but the batsmen were well set and played him comfortably, with the second over going for 13, Skip swapped him for Matt Peet, who despite being hit for a six 2nd ball, then snared the wicket of Nick Gray, at long on, with a fine catch by Brendan. However Matt’s 2nd over was awful, with Nav taking a distinct liking to the filth and taking him for 16 runs, finishing with the reverse sweep over the top of short-third-man.
At the other end, replacing Mike Phillips, Jerome came on and bowled well, but was unfortunate not to take the wicket of Shiraz with a bad drop by Matt Peet at Cow Corner.
The skipper made a strong call and brought back Matt Jacob back to replace Mat Peet, for  his second spell. MattyJ delivered excellent results, with a wicket each over.
This was aided by the catch of the match, by Brendan at wide long on, running a good 10 metres, round to straight long on and taking the catch on the run, without stepping over the boundary. I think this was the big wicket of Nav, who finished with a well earnt 60 odd.
From here, Darjeeling were able to put the breaks on Abu Dhabi Gents inning.  With Sheehan and Krishna finishing their spells. Shehan recorded fine  figures of 1 for 29 off his 5 overs and Krishna, the pick of the bowlers, at 1 for 23. The Gents finished with 206 and the general Darjeeling impression was positive that we were going to get these runs.
sp07-mike
Nav opened the bowling for the Gents and despite Matt Peet warning the team that he was a good bowler, the gallery was not impressed by the pace. However Sam Jackson recognized the control that Nav bowled with, commenting that he bowled the first over of full away swing, followed by the 2nd and 3rd  over, as back of  a length seaming inwards, towards top of leg stump.
George eventually succumbed to a quality yorker by Nav, losing his middle pole. Jerome came in and looked assured, dishing up regular boundaries. Sam then joined him successfully against the 1st change bowlers, but then got carried away after just missing out on 1 four with a lofted on drive, he swung harder at a low full toss and missed it, losing his middle pole as well.
This brought in Shehan to join Jerome. The Sri Lankan pairing looked comfortable, and took us to the halfway mark, just a bit behind the rate at 78 off 13 overs. That being said, the batsman were well set and the gallery was confident, that with  wickets in hand, we could find the next gear.
However the Gents upped their game, with their bowlers delivering a pinch spell from over 13-17 that saw just 25 runs added. Shehan got out trying to find a boundary, bringing in Brendan WJ. He looked very comfortable at the crease, and after setting himself, he set to the task of boundaries required, scoring a fluent 49 off 30 balls.
With a couple of notably strong heaves to cover corner that comfortably cleared the boundary despite a field set for just such a shot. However once Brendan got out the wheels came off the bus. James slapped his wide half volley straight to wide long off. A bit of wind behind it and might have carried over the boundary as it went really high. Matt Jacob was then clean bowled first ball. Krishan survived the hat-trick, but by only 2 balls before he was bowled, with Matt Peet then going back to his first ball and missing it entirely. Jerome then joined the procession, however he had made a very respectable 53 off 49 balls and anchored the innings.
But that meant the stage was now set for just playing for a bit of pride not to get bowled out. Badger duly delivered as 11 man, not just surviving but swatting a boundary for a strike rate of 200 off his 2 balls, to pick up the spirits of the players.
Darjeeling ended on 165 but he match had been an even contest until deep into the 2nd half.  The Gents had bowled well, with just 9 extras in their 25 overs, and their 1 standout player, Nav, pushing the match in their favour.
There was no man of the match declared for Darjeeling, as there had been good performance by several players on the team: Shehan and Krishan bowling exceptionally well, Brendan WJ for some excellent fielding including 2 catches. Matt Jacob for finishing strongly at the death with the ball. Then Jerome and Brendan WJ both making good runs.
Overall we have something to build on for 2018, the match was played in excellent spirit by both teams, the weather was excellent and refreshing beverages were had after the match. P.S. if you are playing the next match in Abu Dhabi, pack your cooler bag.

DCC in Al Dhaid – words by Dick BJ

The car washes of Dhaid rarely embody the spirit of the exotic, but 7 km to the south east lies a beautifully green, quaintly rustic cricket field among plantations and gravel plains. It was an all-out, rural affair from the start with early, cunning home ground psychology at play.

Dusk enveloped the setting with flood lights being held back to ensure the Darjeeling wagon train realised it was no longer in glitzy El Dorado. Given James’s recent confessional email about a goat in the desert we feared he may never leave the area.

The captains toss, where adult men embrace their tribal responsibility and flick a piece of metal to decide who throws the ball at whom, was conducted in Dhaid’s muggy Autumn darkness by the light of a cellphone. It was our first loss of the night. The second would be Dexy, who after whistling down half an over of net-practice-like deliveries wounded himself and hobbled off the field to lie next to the boundary rope like a forlorn, beached Salmon.

The floodlights fired to life and with the neatly choreographed exit-right by the pre-game entertainment of five startled, foraging hedgehogs, it was game time. The unique opening bowling combination of Man of the Match, Will Gregori Rasputin Watson (a 4-fer on debut) and the shuffling Badger immediately baffled the opposition. George would later compliment Badger on his unexpected agility-to-weight ratio, an athleticism which may have also confused the batsmen.

As the loping left-arm mystic unleashed pacey, unplayable deliveries from within his ample beard, Badger looped in apparently terrifyingly slow turners. The batsmen capitulated to five down before long. The fielding effort was surprisingly suffocating given the Darjeeling reputation of generosity. Both Dorris and Scott held onto rippers, by our standards, and Ieuan proved a wicket keeping wall. However, there were notable efforts at big-hearted sportsmanship from an unnamed former international scrumhalf and then Ash, curiously, both using the white ball to demonstrate how a fat fledgling pigeon spills from a nest. A mixture of wides and ambitiously contrived overthrows were minor glitches supplementing the rare lusty blows that crept the opposition to 107.

Dorris, apparently still marveling at his catch and contemplating more stomach-crunches in response to witnessing the power of his batting partner’s guns, nudged an early, gentle catch back to the bowler. George continued to slap deliveries around the ground and grumbled like a poked bear at the incessant yodeling of appealing fielders.

The chorus reached its ambitious climax with a howl for LBW as a short, leg-side delivery was slapped for a boundary. George, tiring of the zoologists perpetual mistiming of strokes at the other end of the flat-rolled pitch, and pinching of strike, ran him out shortly before the composed, gentle downhill run with Laird to 107 for victory in the 12th over. George, desperately in need of protein-shakes after his flurry of wicket-to-wicket shuttle sprints avoided the post-expedition debrief at the Irish village. It would have been there he’d have heard the revelation by tribal elder and scorer, Nick, of a corrected mathematical glitch and the Hellyer maiden 50 not out.

Al Dhaid road trip – penned by J Houghton

In three cars we made our way down to Al Dhaid to play against our newest opposition against Azamari Cricket Club (including six lads and kit in Mrs Harvey’s’ 4X4)

In short, we had no idea what to expect and as many of you know when you drive out to this part of the world/Sharjah, you feel like you go back in time a little……what I hadn’t expected was to go back to an era akin to those early pioneers of Darjeeling Cricket Club!

The ground is at the end of a dirt track, half a mile off the main road – without the four flood lights rising above the ground, you wouldn’t know it’s there.  The infrastructure consists of four lamp posts, a gen-set in the far corner of the pitch, a couple of very basic looking shower/WC’s and an old Barasti type pavilion (complete with a palm-roof)

The pitch is a grass one, though more like you’re basic rolled mud á la Sharjah Cricket Stadium (and from a distance all thought it concrete), the bounce however, was fairly consistent and the outfield grass was well-mowed and flat.  It’s not a huge ground, larger than Emirates Palace, but smaller than Oval 2 from the ICC.

The opposition were a friendly young bunch, there was a smattering of salwar kameez attired spectators and the Umpire made beautiful efforts of formality with his limited English.

Harvey lost the toss and therefore, had to field – the usual grumbles and expletives were muttered under (and above) the breath….In this, instance – some of this was justified as only Darjeelingites turned up for the game and therefore, a perfect excuse to renegotiate the batting was wasted…………..schoolboy, some might say.

Darjeeling opened with Rikesh, who bowled well (including a cracking first ball in-swinging Yorker) as did his opening partner Brent, who enjoyed an early wicket, but a few poor deliveries and wides kept their score ticking along at 9 an over,  as it did for much of the match.  Harvey & Peet were first and second change and despite a couple of loose ones, both bowled OK but at the half way stage Azmari had lost just one wicket for 80 odd runs.  We then changed ends and Guernsey Kimbo was bought on.

Kimbo later blamed the lights, though the rest of us blamed the long hops, full-tosses and wides as his one and only over leaked 22 runs.  Olly VDB came and bowled well, though was punished in his last over and the remaining overs were bowled out by the remaining overs from Harvey, Rikesh and Brent who all kept the scoring down (though this may have been because their opening bat was completely knackered) with the home side finishing on 183 – 3

Rikesh finishing with 4-0-32-0, Brent: 4-0-21-1, Harvey: 4-0-24-1, Matt: 4-0-39-0 and Olly: 3-0-34-1 – Azmari’s opening bat finishing on 88 n.o.

Azmari apparently, means ‘Tigers’ though I’m not sure in which language.  Darjeeling’s response to the hosts total was barely pussycat.  Though in their defence (as the scorecard won’t) many argued that they struggled seeing the ball with the lights, especially from the left-arm over opener.  Both out openers (Kimbo, 1 – Jono, 3) fell cheaply and when Brent, wasting an opportunity to bat 3 was run out for 2, only the extras were keeping the score ticking along. 

Munish offered some hope, after our newest adoption from the Kuwaiti casuals was caught for 3 (though, I’m sure he made more than that) as did Potty, with the visitors best score (including a first ball six over mid-on) but when they fell for 13 and 24 respectively, the fat lady was already on the team bus with the microphone packed away.  Harvey prolonged the agony for a few overs and enjoyed a decent partnership (relatively not nominally) with Rikesh, but was caught behind for 15.  Thankfully, Rikesh & Matt Peet edging our final total over 100.

Result aside, the match was played in good spirit and only one contested stumping in the second over of the hosts innings resulted in a Darjeeling expletive.

Darjeeling Old Crocs v. Dubai Mammoths (Seniors) – penned by Mr. C. Dommett

The prospect of the club’s first over 35s game in ages attracted stars from far and wide. Mr. N. Williams (Tsar of Moscow) flew in from Azkaban, and yours truly from the cultural deserts of Kuwait. Unfortunately, only one of us survived the rigours of a pre-match session in Bidi’s the day before as the Tsar of Moscow pulled a fetlock rushing to the bar and joined the growing list of late withdrawals. Against doctor’s orders, Mr. R. Khanna (Patron of Putney) bravely decided to risk his dodgy hammie, and completed a less than spry looking XI just before kick off.

In true social cricket fashion we met up for a pre-match beverage in Kickers to keep Blikkies company, and then repaired to the pitch where Captain Banerjee (Advisor to Businesses) duly won the toss and elected to bat. Greg and Pottie opened up on a slow, low pitch against some elderly dross, and cruised to 17 in the third over. Greg then got bored and chopped onto his own stumps to his absolute disgust and departed for a swashbuckling 2. Jonesy and Pottie moved the score along nicely to 39 before both departed to innocuous deliveries for 22 and 12 respectively, and after a fluent 8 I joined them, spanking a full toss back to the bowler.

At 58-4 Cookie was joined by the non-injured Nathan (Cartwright) and set about repairing the damage. Dealing mainly in ones and twos (much to Nathan’s delight) they moved the score on to a more respectable 121 before Nathan decided he was done for and capitulated, stumped for 31. The arrival of Mr. Harvey at the wicket prompted an acceleration in the run rate, and after a cautious start even Cookie cut loose. The score raced to 191 with a couple of balls left, at which point Nick was bowled for 31, leaving Etienne to face one ball after warming up with his son for the previous 15 overs. Cookie was undefeated on an excellent 53, with 36 extras contributing to a par score of 193 for 6.

Following current IPL fashion we opened up our bowling with a combination of searing pace (Greg), and mystery spin (Badger). Greg bowled well (4 overs 0-23) but struggled to get the ball above shin height on a dead pitch. In an eventful second over which went for 17, Badger tricked one of their openers into trying to knock the pastry off a tempting steak and kidney, and hit him plum in front. 1-25 off 2 overs for Badger, so he was hauled off and replaced by the far more parsimonious Etienne who bowled well for 0-19 off his 4 overs.

MoM Cookie replaced Greg at the ICC end, and bowled tightly, taking 1-20 from his first 4 overs, aided by a great tumbling catch by Greg in the deep. At the drinks break the Mammoths were 82-2, and needing more than 9 an over, with Nick Harvey replacing Etienne at the Bradenton end. His first over was eventful to say the least, with two sitters dropped by Greg and Badger, a farcical missed run out chance, a run out by Nathan thanks to the mis-named Lucky, and finally a wicket for Nick, bowled all ends up. First ball of his second over was a real jaffa, clipping the top of off stump to leave the Mammoths close to extinction.

However, at the other end, Jonesy decided to make a game of it, getting smacked for 40 from his 3 overs as Ranjit and Sadiq kept the Mammoths in touch with the asking rate. Ash replaced Nick (2-18 from 3) and restored the balance in favour of Darjeeling, having Ranjit caught behind for 40, and bowling the new guy first ball. He finished with an excellent 2-17 off 3 overs, and with about 30 needed from the last 3 in a moment of madness/genius he tossed the ball to Badger. A good catch by Nick and 5 runs later, Mammoths needed 25 from 2, and tight overs from Ash and Cookie left them 17 short with 9 wickets down.

A good win, celebrated in customary style in Kickers afterwards, with the players joined by a number of the younger club members who had been staying hydrated while we sweated our proverbial’s off. I bade a tearful farewell as I headed back to the airport, but a great weekend catching up with some top chaps.

Darjeeling CC v Loose Cannons – scribed by K O’Reilly

The day started with a few early arrivals being gripped to Jo’s phone as a cached live coverage of the DSL team’s super over finale was dictated by McCaffery Jnr. The good news saw Nick’s celebratory F bomb count go through the roof pre toss. A new record.

The opposition fronted as a standard middle aged male troop, ranging from  3-4 technically good players, a couple of social blokes who used to a play a bit, and a couple of blokes who could sink 14 beverages of an afternoon then take a piss…

After a quick streak and pulling himself together, Nick won the toss and we had a bat. 10 off the first from Aryan was a good return off a good bowler. Aryan, Munish, Digby and Harry all with starts saw us 4/61 at drinks.

Fresh from his celebratory streak, Nick was charging, slapping them to all corners for a well fought 60. He only needed for someone to stick around, the middle order didn’t offer much today but Young Tom came in at 9 for a run a ball 20. A great head on his shoulders for his age.

Still with a few overs to go Ash came in to not only see out the innings but also wrap up the Fashions on the Field title for yet another week with the broadbrim/spectacle/headband/skins combo ensemble. Whilst looking the part he rolled the wrists over a juicy half volley to clear the fence and send the bustling crowd of 22 into raptures.

A decent total of 9/156 on an up/down wicket.

The Cannons came out with malicious intent using 3 of the technically better players i mentioned earlier. A few fielding mishaps and some blatant slogging saw them on the required rate for the first 5-6 and in the 9th they were 2/90. Enter the man with a vast appetite for chilled beverages.

He threw the kitchen sink and took it to the kids like a catholic priest, clearing the fence with nothing more than a pair of shorts and a bat. Even his box was unwanted ballast and thrown towards his team mates at fine leg to be collected mid innings.

Despite the lack of enthusiasm for its retrieval thoughts turned to if it was indeed uncomfortable or bad news had filtered through about the previous owners gonorrhea problem. An unfortunate time to receive the news no doubt, however it didn’t deter him and they passed us 2 down with 5 overs to spare. Off to the clinic I guess, or back to the cafe…

DCC versus University of East London – penned by H Moseley

A very hot day at the ICC saw Darjeeling host a talented touring side from the University of East London.

DCC were batting first on an uneven wicket that offered movement for both new ball bowlers and spinners later in the game. Sam Jackson got DCC off to a good start with a string of impressive boundaries through the off side and formed a good 2nd wicket partnership with Watto. Watto, in particular, was eyeing up the 6 over extra cover shot with a success rate of 33% however still remained at the crease courtesy of picking their most limited fielder twice in the deep. Good batting & bad fielding had DCC well placed at 120-1 with Watto (47) and Sam (41) looking set for just the loss of Harry (caught behind for 17).

However, a familiar Darjeeling middle order collapse began with a newly single, resident DCC love rat, Dorris trying to hook a half volley & getting cleaned up, Jono exuding the air of man who would rather be in Rockies getting caught & Muni and Kev both succumbing to the tourist’s version of Badger leaving a middle order scorecard of 3,4,5,4 and followed up by Rohan running himself out without facing a ball for a duck (surely a dick of the day moment!?). Big Mikey hit a few boundaries and was not aided much by Matt Peet who seemed to be a specialist in picking the fielders – all in all DCC closed on a sub par 175 off 25 overs.

Being the most senior bowler in the team, Rohan was handed a brand new dukes ball, first over & ran in to bowl some heat from the top end. No wickets unfortunately but mixed his lengths up well and came up against some good stroke play to go for 30 from 3. Keen to avenge his own calamitous running, a smart bit of fielding off his own bowling led to DCC’s first wicket being a run out.

Mikey bowled well from the other end mixing up his stock slower ball with the odd quicker one & snicked off their opening bat for 32 who looked a decent player. Spinners were the order of the day at first change with Matt Peet claiming an LBW with a googly in case anyone was wondering & Jono wheeling away at the other end proving there is more to this man than smashing bullfrogs. Muni did well under a skier from Jono fresh after doing a juggling act with a similar opportunity a few overs previous & when the dreadlocked Rasta Brenty chipped in with a snick off wicket afterwards, UEL were 6 down and the game was well placed to go either way.

However, UEL’s version of Rambo (according to his scorebook name!) was under little scoreboard pressure and took the opposition home for a 3 wicket win in the last over. A relatively comfortable run chase in the end that proved DCC were most likely 20-30 runs light. Pick of the bowlers being Matt Peet with 1-29 off his 5 overs.