Viborg vs. Århus

Århus win in the sun,
Hans captained Århus to a good win with Århus relying on every team member to make a contribution.
Hans captaining the side in the absence of regular captain Anders who was away in Corsica with his family (You really have to question some peoples commitment to the team) won the toss and elected to bat first. With the look of the batting line up it seemed the right decision. Phil and Alex opened in beautiful sunshine, Alex was out early to a good ball that cut in from a length and clean bowled him. Phil who did not look comfortable at any time followed in the 11th Ct Behind.

Nikhil and Samantha held the fort well and ticked the scoreboard over until Nikhil was out LBW followed shortly by Samantha to a ball that turned and bounced. You may well describe it as a perfect spinners ball. Århus, at this point, with the top 4 all falling cheaply had their backs to the wall were in need of some clever batting. Rajesh looked comfortable and was ably supported by Jens and it seemed as if the partnership Århus needed was beginning, until as is so often in Cricket another good ball and a bowing change swung the tie fully in Viborgs favor. Jens who fell victim to another sharply turning ball and Rajesh not quite timing one back into the Bowlers hands, left Århus looking as if they were going to struggle to make 130. With talk about Viborgs batting strength Århus were in need of saving.

With 17 overs remaining and Århus only just into the hundreds Mani and Peter began getting their eye in. Slowly and carefully selecting the right balls they began to push the score along and were looking ever more comfortable. Peter took on the role of Scoring and Mani beginning his man of the match performance tied up the other end so that no more wickets were to fall for the next 14 overs. In that time the pair had a partnership of 80/90 runs and posted Århus a defendable target. With just four overs remaining Mani and Peter began a much deserved ‘slog’ and really accelerated the run rate in which time Peter reached 50. Both were out before the end of the innings but their work was completed well before that time. Hans, Simon and Thomas all chipped in with a couple at the death. Århus batted with good sense and reached the total of 213, everyone chipping into the defendable total.

After a trip to McDonalds for lunch which saw Jens speed up the service of the waitress (that appeared more interested in make up tips than his cheeseburger) with a sharp word, we were back at the Viborg ground ready to defend our modest total. Samatha and Nikhil opened and both bowlers struggled with their run up on a uneven approach and thus found a rhythm tough going. This led to a quick start for Viborg and the target of 213 was perhaps looking 50 short at 45 from the first 6 overs. Nikhil found a rhythm and began bowling well and the run rate slowed. Hans who set strong fields that supported the bowlers the whole way through made a change at the other end with Samantha struggling. Phil came on and Bowled 10 tight overs conceding just 16 runs supporting Nikhil and Århus were well and truly back into the game. Samantha took over from Nikhil and instantly found a good line and length and it was now Viborg who were under pressure. After a shaky catching start good takes from Thomas and Hans put Viborg 4 down and needing just over 9 an over from the last 15. On came Mani, Bowling with the ‘if you miss I hit’ mentality, bowled very straight with good length and swinging the ball into the right hander. Mani, who topped of a great batting performance by taking 5 wickets, 3 of them hitting the leg stump had a smile that grew with each wicket and was a joy to see. Peter, taking over from Samatha cleaned up the tail and Viborg were 160 all out.
Simon and Rajesh patrolled the covers well and the benefit of a good line and length was there for all to see. The overall fielding performance was good. Bowling that did not give away boundaries and fielders preventing singles made it difficult for Viborg to score and the pressure led to wickets. A good win for Århus that saw all contribute with runs, catches, straight bowling and tight fielding.

/Phil