Friendly vs Fateh

Scorecard

On a bright and warm afternoon at the Carlos Perez baseball ground in Montjuic the BICC players arrived promptly and were soon practicing on the outfield. Jack "safe hands" Jewson was making his debut as captain, winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Within minutes Jack was padded up and striding out with opening partner Maroof "Teflon" Shaikh. 

Overseeing proceedings for the first few overs was Shane "trigger finger" Lightley, calling play and the BICC innings was underway. Jack and Maroof started confidently, running well and put the Fateh fielders under pressure. Unfortunately for Jack it wasn't long before he feathered one behind and the old trigger finger went up, although Jack the gentleman was already walking. In came Shubh and didn't waste any time finding the boundary. A partnership quickly formed and Maroof grew in confidence, getting 36 well hit runs before a rush of blood to the head, down the wicket and was stumped. Supun was next in and one ball later was making the long and lonely walk back, pinned in the block hole LBW. 

Vishesh walked out but he wasn't the bunny Fateh was hoping for. Instead Vishesh played with composure and improvised a few ramp shots. Shubh was still finding the boundary on regular occasions until he was trapped LBW for a fine 44. Next up was Shane, some might say the backbone of the batting order, to steady the ship and keep the runs ticking over, until Vishesh tried one ramp shot too many and was caught behind for 13. Aman was in and out in the blink of an eye making the same lonely walk as Supun had earlier. Little Agni strode out, a new man since his operation, and snatched an immediate cheeky single. The BICC innings was over with Shane 5* and Agni stuck on 1* having wafted without success at the last few balls.

During the interval the BICC players were treated to a motivational speech from the energetic captain Jack, and it seemed to pay off as the BICC bowlers were rewarded with good opening spells. Sam bounding in like a young Roy Orbison, sunglasses on and quiff wafting in the wind, bowling a nagging line and length. He had the opener caught by Aussie James and soon after pinned the Fateh number 3 LBW, endling with 2-26 and good economy. Steaming in to open the bowling with Sam was the Brisbane express, James, bowling well and and got his reward of clean bowling the other opener and ended with 1-36. BICC were in the luxurious position of having three quick wickets and then all of a sudden the wickets dried up and the runs flowed for Fateh as their big hitting leftie dispatched the BICC bowling with relative ease. Shriram, after having been called for a debatable no-ball first delivery, was unfortunate to end his spell wicketless. Aman bowled with control and got his debut wicket with some nimble glove work from Jack, taking a stumping. But as the sun was setting across the Iberian peninsula so was the hopes of a victory for captain Jack, as several catches were dropped the Fateh batters reached the target with at least three overs to spare. 

Shane Lightley

Maroof and Jack walking out to open the innings