I've been putting off writing this post because we always seem to have an upcoming match which could potentially turn the current "trio" into a "quad" or more. Indeed, the match the other day gave plenty of opportunities which no one was able to cash in on. Anyway... on with today's article....
Having played and umpired a lot of indoor cricket in my time, I can safely say that a batting partnership scoring a century is a very rare occurrence. And yet, in the last few weeks the Popped Collars and GG teams saw three of them scored in the space of 4 matches!
113 - Rian (63) and Gareth (50) – for GG vs NNBs
Playing a grading game against a stereotypical “kids and their dads” team, X and Jules went out and stuffed around for 4 overs, but still comfortably made more than 50. Rian and G then went out looking to rack up a record of some sort. And did it.
They got off to a shaky start with a run-out first ball, but blasted their way to 67 off 3 overs. The final over then became a slaughter, with 32 runs taken off 7 balls, including three 7s.
The score was 99 with one ball to go (double score to apply on the last ball). All that was required was any kind of run to be scored. But rather than poke around for the easy century, Rian decided to go for a stroll down the pitch. And he was still walking as he slapped the ball high to the leg side for a safe 7 (make that 14) to rack up a then-record individual and partnership score.
This was the highest of the three scores, also against the lowest quality opposition.
100 - Aaron (57) and Tim (43) – for The Balbs vs Popped Collars
The second century unfortunately came against our team. Playing in the first game of the new season after winning the top grade premiership, and fielding with only 6 players to start the game, it was again Gareth playing a vital role in the 100 mark being passed. He was hit for 7 (make that 14) off the jackpot ball, 7 again off the second ball, and the third was a no ball that was hit for 5. 28 off 4 balls became 38 off 7 balls before he nabbed a wicket to finish the over.
But the batters were in the zone and despite a valiant effort from Brad (1/11) in the second over, they took Julian (0/21) and Sanjit (0/35) to school in the final 2 overs. With 1 ball to play, they were 92. The batter on strike was so confident of hitting another 7 to finish, he told his partner to make sure they ran a second run. He did hit the 7, and they did run the second to finish on exactly 100.
101 – Xavier (52) and Brad (49) – for Popped Collars vs QDS Warriors
The very next game for the Popped Collars got off to a mediocre start. Without Julian, the regular batting order was changed, and the first 2 pairs made just 15 and 24. Xavier and Brad then went in to bat together. They did nothing particularly special, just didn’t get out, and faced only 2 dot balls. They always looked like racking up a big score, but never looked like getting anywhere near 100. They had 59 on the board with only the final over to be bowled…
The final over brought three 7s, two other back-net shots, and included three no-balls that also had runs scored off them. Xavier slapped a 7 off the final ball to take the score from 94 into triple-figures, and the tally for the final over to an extraordinary 42. A team record for an over without a jackpot ball.
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