The Under 11s are starting to build momentum, and with a second league win the joy and confidence around the group is really beginning to grow.
This week we took on local rivals Southgate Adelaide. We lost the toss and were put into bat on a tricky pitch that didn’t bounce much and the whispers went quickly round the waiting batters “go on the back foot at your own risk!”
Often at under 11 cricket the team who bowls fewer wides and no-balls tends to win and Adelaide bowled with great accuracy limiting the extras well. Southgate batted smartly, taking minimal risks but running well between the wickets. Captain Niam set a great example scoring 8 singles from his 12 balls before retiring ready to come back in later. Southgate batted solidly with 8 out of 11 players not being dismissed. Dhyaan’s 13 from 13 balls was the standout performance in the middle order as Southgate worked their way to a well earned 99/3 from their 20 overs.
Like Adelaide before them Southgate limited the extras well. The coach’s challenge to the team was “how many times can you hit the wickets” and they did not disappoint. 6 out of the 10 Adelaide wickets were clean bowled. The Champaign moment came as debutant Thomas stepped up for his first ball for the Under 11 team and managed to produce a fast yorker clean bowling Adelaide’s star batter before wheeling off like Ronaldo scoring a free kick!
Fans of the Under 11s and followers of these match reports will be well aware of Ishaan’s penchant for a run out. Today was no exception, teaming up with wicket keeper Niam for the first and hitting directly for the second. He rounded off his top fielding performance by clinging on for a catch off his own bowling from a strongly hit drive. Zariyan was the pick of the bowlers, clean bowling 3 Adelaide batters on his way to 3/8 from 2 overs.
Some rear-guard action gave Adelaide some hope but, in the end, they were bowled out for 70, giving Southgate a 29 run win. That’s now 7 league wins out of 8 for the juniors so far this season. Let’s hope the men’s teams can take some inspiration for their opening weekend!
Scott Ellis