Rian and Xavier have batted together 5 times for the Popped Collars (they also did another 4 times for GG). They batted together once in 2009, right at the start of the Popped Collars existence - there was then a gap of more than 2 years before they batted together again. The randomly chosen number is 2, meaning that the pair we are looking at is the first one after that gap - 13 March, 2012; a game at Lyneham against a team called "Stimulated".
In the pre-game analysis, the expert commentators mention that "Stimulated" is not a regular Popped Collars opponents. That fact, combined with the time of year of the match was on leads them to assume this was a grading game of some kind, and the Popped Collars probably won comfortably. They predict a potential high-scoring affair between Xavier and Rian. Indeed, this was our third grading game after changing to Tuesday nights for the 2012 season. And they look like being correct on the "high-scoring" front after Brad and Sanjit batted first and put on 76.
The Match Begins
The final got underway with Xavier facing the first ball, hitting it for a five. Second ball saw Rian bowled, before he immediately hit back with a five of his own. Both players were making sure that if they can't score goals, they at least have the points on the board should extra-time be required. No score at quarter time.
The second over started quietly. Ones, twos, then a wicket to Xavier. Then Rian broke the shackles - the fifth ball saw the first seven scored - Rian taking the lead. The crowd were undoubtedly chanting the "One-Nil" song... but before they knew it, scores were level again. Xavier hit the very next ball for another maximum-score.
And again... the very next ball... Rian plundered the bowler for his third consecutive dose of pain. I like to think that at this point (in the real cricket match), the Popped Collars watching on would actually have been counting the score. Perhaps this pair was truly being watched as a seven-hitting contest, with everyone oblivious to the fact that in just over 2 years time, it would decide the winner of this tournament!
The second over went for 1/22, and Rian went to the half-time break with a 2-1 lead.
The Second Half
If there was any doubt that the batters were seeing this as a true battle of seven-hitting, it was laid to rest when Xavier hit the 4th goal (all in the space of 5 balls!) to open the third over. Scores level again in a remarkable World Cup final!
The next two balls went to the back net as well, but neither of them were full and/or straight enough to score.
But in this incredibly attacking game, two balls was all the fielding team could defend before Rian took the lead again!
Xavier saw off a no-ball, then hit another back-net shot, but not big enough to draw level. However, he didn't have to wait long for it to happen - he completed the third over with another seven, and the score was 3-3 at three-quarter time.
The batters had just taken 54 runs in the space of 12 balls, including 0/36 off the over just finished.
At this point, it seems, the Popped Collars' opponents had given up, at least on this skin. They brought back "Perro" to bowl... the same guy who had conceded a hat-trick of sevens in the second over. The crowd would have roared at this decision, as they realised that there was surely more scoring to come in this amazing match.
The Final Over
Rian did not disappoint the fans; off the second ball of the over, he scored his 4th goal, taking the lead for the 4th separate time!
The hapless "Perro" and the rest of his team could only look on as the carnage continued - Perro again conceded consecutive sevens, as Xavier refused to give Rian a lead of more that 1 goal. He leveled the scores.
The score was 4-4. There were 5 balls to go. The bowler sending down pies had been hit for 5 big-ones in his last 7 balls. As an added bit of interest, the pair now had 86 runs, and the hundred was in sight.
Another minor back-net shot was followed by a catch off Xavier, making the 100 a much tougher ask.
The 9th(!) seven of the pair came next. Rian - for the 5th(!) time - took the lead by one. Xavier was on strike with two balls to go. He knew that he probably only had one shot left to tie up the match. And even if he did it, Rian would have one more chance to win it.
Perro sent down more rubbish, and Xavier gave the bowler his 7th seven of the match! One ball left. The score was an outrageous 5-5.
At this point, the partnership had 99 runs on the board. Rian played the last shot safely, presumably to ensure they would make the century. And so it was full-time...
The game continues
Scores level, we go to extra time! Most fives wins.
Way back at the start of the match I mentioned that both players hit an early five. And so the extra time score remained 1-1 for a while. Rian hit a couple of side-backs and the flurry of sevens began before Xavier got away another five during the third over. And then another! This was the first time in this game that we can say someone had a two-goal advantage - and it was in fact the first time Xavier had held the lead at all.
Rian put away another side-back, and ended up winning the overall back-net count, but the criteria is to compare fives first. And on that, Rian was not able to catch up. The World Cup had been won... Xavier coming up trumps 3-1 in extra time of an insane match.
For your complete entertainment, here is the full, outrageous scorecard from that crazy pair that lost 4 wickets, and still scored 100!
Rian 5(1) - 5(3) Xavier
The final word
Out of 1850 pairs that have taken place in Popped Collars/GG history, the one chosen at random for this final was the single one with the greatest number of sevens.
Despite this fact, and the possibly suspicious tournament champion, I will swear by whatever deity you throw at me that this (and every other match in the tournament) was indeed chosen at random (by a random number generator app on my phone). After all, don't forget that:
"The PCICA (Popped Collars Indoor Cricket Association) statistics division is a one man phenomenon - his integrity is beyond reproach!"
-B.Lockley, 10 July 2014
We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the 2014 Popped Collars World Cup - let's do it again in 4 years time!
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