Basel CC VS AlpineCC

21st August 2016, Bachgraben, Basel

Alpine CC won the toss and elected to bat first

 

Alpine CC: 138 All out (28.3/40)

Basel CC: 139/4 (32.2/40)

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On a windy day with sun showing in spells, 15 boys from Basel were up for some cricketing action against a half appearing side of Alpine CC. Basel lost the toss and were asked to bowl first.

Although the game commenced a bit later then scheduled, it was a delightful start for Basel, marshalled by Jack who bagged first hat trick of his Basel career in the span of seven deliveries. With a hard recovery task ahead, Shiva (one of the few Basel players played for Alpine on the day) and Saeed (skipper of Alpine) stuck a good partnership. Basel continued to put pressure and their stand was halted by great display of catching of his own bowling by Manjinder. Good bowling performances from debutant Ganesh, Mustafa, Ryan and Anil who kept Alpine batsmen at bay. It wasn’t all easy sailing for Basel as some good batting display from Ali and Shabeer (another Basler) who provided some solidarity to Alpine CC innings.

It was the introduction of youngest lot in the team, Francis and Westy that put the final nail in the coffin for Alpine CC, as both the boys exhibited tremendous bowling skills, which ultimately fetched them wickets.  Both Francis and Westy finished with 3 wickets each. They were well supported by experienced Natu who dismissed dangerous looking Ali for 22.

Alpine’s innings finished for a modest total of 138 all out.

The chase was purely about the younger lots from Basel.

With chasing a tricky target of 139, Basel lost 3 early wickets. In the fourth over it was Westy and Musti on the crease facing a pumped up Alpine bowling line. Two youngsters with a bat in their hands, like warriors on the battlefield, not oppressed by the situation and focussed at the job in hand. They took their time and built the innings with elegance. Even the best of Alpine could not rattle the boys as they built the partnership of 60 odd.

Westy got out to a good delivery for a well-made 14. Numbers does not do any justice to the skill Westy showed being on the crease for almost an hour. This brought Vishal on the crease and it no stopping for there. Musti heaping runs by punishing bad balls and now moving at a strike rate of over 100. There would be no more wickets to be fallen for Basel, as Musti and Vishal brought Basel home with Musti unbeaten on a brilliant 60 and Vishal on a classy 40, ending the game with brilliant boundary over long-off.

Basel CC can take huge positives out of this performance and with the way young boys of Basel showed character today, future is looking eminently bright.

Thanks to all players from players who played from Alpine CC and maintained the professionalism of Basel. Also huge thanks to Steve, Jay and Mathur for umpiring the game.

Sunny