Hi guys:

On what was quite an ugly day (smog etc..), we outdid the energizer bunny (drove 
and drove and drove...) in travelling to Inland Empire.  Their cricket grounds 
did have a turf wicket which although keeping low, was consistent.  The outfield 
was very fast but was quite a treat to field on compared to the treacherous 
field at South Bay.

Despite the humble request for Colts players to be there by 10:00 a.m., half the 
team was late!  I won the toss and had no hesitation in inviting Inland Empire 
to take first lease of the wicket.

The two opening bowlers, Venu and myself did not cause too much worry to the 
batsmen.  Although I beat the bat and off-stump quite often, I ran into some 
asthmatic problems and brought on Arvin Varma.  After a few shaky overs, Arvin 
settled down to some excellent bowling to end up with 1 for 25 off 8 overs.  
Meanwhile, Mervyn Fernando got the break through we needed when he had their 
batsman spoon an easy catch to Arvin Varma at 1st slip.  Mervyn kept frustrating 
their batsmen to no end, eventually ending up with the best figures of 4 for 17 
off 8 overs with 3 maidens.

Aravinthan Wijayachandran also bowled very well and had 3 for 18 off 6.1 overs 
with 1 maiden.  Swaminathan Krishnan had one of his best spells this season to 
have 1 for 22 off 8 overs with 1 maiden.

Our fielding was outstanding, with Dean Jayasinghe and Ryan Jayatileke leading 
the way.  Dean covered a lot of ground in preventing many boundaries and was 
also instrumental in a run-out with a throw from the boundary!  Ryan held two 
very well judged catches at long-on.  Atul Raj too covered some ground to take a 
catch off Swami's bowling.  Arvin Varma held on to two sharp chances at 1st 
slip, both off Mervyn.  We never let Inland Empire off the hook.  The bowlers 
did very well helped by some great fielding, and Inland Empire I were all out 
for 108 in 38.1 overs.

Once again our batting threatened to destroy the good deeds of the bowlers.  
Atul and Swami opened the innings and seemed well set until Swami who was lazily 
walking to his crease was run out!  Atul was beaten by a ball that kept low and 
was adjudged LBW for 13.  Raj Sundararaman was well stumped when he failed to 
read the flight of a ball he came out of his crease to face.  Miscommunication 
between Ashwin and Arvin Varma saw Arvin run out for 1.  Venu and Ashwin then 
put on 23 for the 5th wicket, when Venu skied one to be out for a very patient 
and sedate 5 runs.  Ryan joined Ashwin and they realized 32 runs for the 6th 
wicket before Ryan was stumped misreading a flighted delivery.  Dean joined 
Ashwin and scored the balance 11 runs for victory with Ashwin Rao unbeaten on a 
patient, well compiled, timely.. 51.  We won by 4 wickets.

-Ranesh