July 12, 1997.
Time 10am : Lyon Center

-Kedarnath Poduri for TCC, Los Angeles.


	As usual, weather is at its best in southern california.
Bright day, clear skies, gentle breeze to keep the angry sun at bay:
Just too perfect to play a game of cricket.
	There was an initial dilemma in selecting the pitch, whether
to go for bowlers's love "parking lots" or batsman`s delight "cromwell".
The game organizer, captain (veteran) Anoop Reddy went over to examine
the pitch in cromwell and when the conditions were satisfactory it was
chosen as venue for the days cricket.
	With not much delay teams were 'ready to go' and begin the play.
Ashish VII won the toss and elected to bat. The first ball of day was
bowled with debutants Nimesh and Darshan at crease facing the veteran
ghaziabad hurricane Puneet sharma. Though age has taken the 'pace' out
of puneets bowling, experience has substituted it with intelligence.
Nevertheless, runs started flowing from the word go. Darshan, after 
hitting some clean shots was caught at deep mid-wicket.(I'm not sure
exactly where but deep mid wicket sounded like a nice place :)).
	Before Anoop VI could celebrate the fall of first wicket, their
pleasure evaporated into thin air when they saw the batsman coming to take
the crease. Ashish entrance resembled a lion flexing its muscles before
it gets ready to hunt its prey. (I know its only lioness which hunts but
you know ...:)) The bowlers felt weak in legs while Anoop was lost in 
confusion to place his field. With not much hope, the bowler bowled the
first ball to Ashish. For a moment there was dead silence on the field.
Everybody even forgot to leave agasp. unbelieveable, impossible.."crowd"
muttering to itself. And then the players realized that Ashish is out
caught by Anoop at point. (THis I remember cleary that it is at point !!).
Naturally Anoop was extremely happy. He knew if he played his cards right
he had the match in his pocket. But, Alas little did he know what was
coming. 
	Nothing happened, Nimesh ray, just took everything into his hands.
He knew his team needed him. He told himself "Show time baby!!". From then
on there was no stopping. He cut, he pulled, he lofted them over the 
fielders.. virtually he was unstoppable. Good length balls were tucked away
into gaps for quick singles or twos..loose balls were sent to fence
without any remorse. Truly deserved!! His innings reminded me of of azhar
in his debut but I dont want to call him new azhar lest his career be
distracted distracted by "bijlanis" Of course his team members provided
him with valuable support at the other end. The innings ended with a
formidable total of 56 runs to be scored in 10 overs. Tough probably,
but certainly not impossible with batsmen like Anoop and yogi.
	Unfortunately Devang had to leave for his motor bike driving
lessons, and what a relief!! (I mean for the batsman of Anoop VI) 
Bikes are his second love next to cricket, of course what else can
satisfy a sleek and speedy pace bowler like Devang. 
	With gigantic task ahead, Anoop sent Srikanth and Srinath to
crease. Shrewd captaincy by Anoop, as he knows that to achieve the total
he needs a sound  start from where he could launch his attack and who
else can do this better than Srikanth-srinath known for their level 
headedness. They know that the their job is no cake walk, especially when
they have to face Suresh, who is well known in the cricketing circles for
his fiery spells. 
        As was expected of them, Srikanth and srinath both put their heads
down and went about the business in the most professional way. Caution was
the wod in the air. Batsmen were playing shots with caution, and only
going for safe shots and runs. With caution were the balls bowled, right
length and on the wicket. four overs passed and 15 runs were put up on
board with the little knudges and delicate pushes by srinath and Srikanth,
before the first wicket fell. 
	A moment of respite for the bowlers but that is all they got. Soon
Anoop was hitting the ball all around the wicket and the new people on
field started to understand why Anoop is considered as the most consistent
batsmen in the league. Balls were dispatched to the fence with effort less
ease, and before 'fielders' could detect the ball was coming towards them,
its past them and waiting to be picked up outside the boundary. If anybody
doesn't believe me they can ask Vipul. He sure had a lot of job to do
at the mid wicket boundary.
	But as luck would have it, Anoop mishooked a ball and was caught.
Now the task was on yogis shoulders. 22 runs were to scored in last
three overs. And then it struck the terrible blunder that he has
committed. A mistake that probably would have cost him the match. He
didn't bring Puneet in until then. Puneet and yogi certainly rose to
the occasion and scored 11 runs in the penultimate over leaving 11 runs to
be scored in the last over. Again not a difficult task with Puneet at
crease but the runs had to come off SURESH. Field was spread out, all
people were asked to move closer to the boundary. Crowd at the edge of
their seats biting their nails off. 
	But Suresh was in no mood for exciting finishes. he bowled right
on target and little did Anoop VI could do at that point. The match ended
with a difference of 7 runs but both teams knew how close it was. Probably
another ball to Anoop ?? Nevertheless Victory is sweet and Ashish VII 
deserved everybit of it.