Online Game: (FTP: From the Pavillion)

[aklemalp]

The fast bowlers are expected to have a hard time controlling the line and length of their deliveries, since it is expected to be very windy.

[SportingBD]

Yeah, not sure what to do winning the toss?

Its a Green wicket and windy? wouldn't you win toss and bowl first?

[aklemalp]

open the bowling with spinners. Let it go from there.

[SportingBD]

Let see how it goes.

Hopefully we can summarise our tactical plan after the game, if it worked or didn't...

[aklemalp]

My players involuntary crap their themselves after learning that Timothy Picker will be playing.

[SportingBD]

Hmmm. I would be more worried about Matheson, if the ball starts to swing...he becomes deadly.

But you never know.. if Timothy finds good rhythm, he can cause serious damage..

Toss is soo important. If you win, the game becomes 50/50...

[aklemalp]

Nah, Matheson's no one. I think my guys can handle him.

You should be worried about my boy Nolan/

[SportingBD]

his a clean athlete. Hope he will prove it tomorrow.

Needs to dig in big time, not that the conditions will help him...

Has to work extra hard to set it up for the middle/lower order.

No pressure boy!

[aklemalp]

My boys are confident of working on the net run-run in the league standings. Skipper Martin, was optimistic when asked how will the team go about their business for the rest of the season. Here is what he told the reporter:

REPORTER: Mr. Martin, with your team sitting at 7th place in the standings, what do you feel has been your weakness in the team?

Martin: First of all, I think we didn't apply ourselves when at the crease, some senior batsmen were making starts but they couldn't carry on. That's why the team management have decided to promote me up the order to open the batting with those senior batsmen. I think we are just one win away from turning it around.

REPORTER: And what about your bowling?

Martin: Make no mistakes, but at the present moment we have the best bowling lineup this club has ever seen. They have bowled against some top class batsmen this season, they are learning to attack better.

REPORTER: So where do you expect your team to finish at the end of the season?

Martin: Number one of course (laughs). Just kidding, it will be a challenge.

REPORTER: I thank you for taking a few minutes to answer these questions. Good luck in the game today.

Martin: Thanks, and cheers.

[aklemalp]

Third ball of the game

.Picker to Martin : [dropped] Oh dear, he's made a hash of that. Leading edge loops gently back to the bowler, but he misjudged the pace and rather snatched at it, fumbling it to the floor. Picker snarls with disgust, Martin grins a bit sheepishly.

[aklemalp]

After 3 overs

Halogens 17/0
Martin 8 (11)
Donaghy 9 (7)

[SportingBD]

What a victory by Halogens, wow. Sporting Bengal outplayed.

Take a bow Van Der Post 190 not out from 153 balls, amazing performance.

He was the lone warrior for Halogens that allowed them to post 344 after choosing to bat first.

Sporting Bengal managed to only reply with 285.

Very disappointed with the boys, expected a much closer match.

[aklemalp]

HVD, what a knock!

That's gotta be the best innings played by a Halogens' batsman in history.

If you look carefully at the scorecard, you'll see that he featured in an 87-run 9th wicket partnership with Nick Hooghiemster, who only faced 12 balls making 9 runs.
That's that's what you called batting with the tail.

Martin was going great guns until lost his wicket.

Now on to the friendly on Sunday.

[SportingBD]

Halogens winning score of 344 against Sporting Bengal breakdown:

344/9 from 50 overs.

HVD - 190, the rest of them in total averaged only 13.9

HVD scored 55% of teams total runs, second place Martin with 20%.

This match was all about HVD. Incredible, unstoppable.

Good luck to him for the remainder of the season, will keep an eye on him.

Still in the market, looking for a All-rounder/bowler.

[aklemalp]

^^ just curious, but why did you opened the batting with the spinner quareshi? Could have made Mahmoud the opener, get the senior batsmen to start the innings for you.

[SportingBD]

^ Thought as Qureshi was a seam specialist, he could kill couple of overs of your bowlers.

Than lower down the order, my main batsman can take advantage of your bowlers..

But things didn't go to plan, but none the less a good experience for him.

Trying to buy a experienced all-rounder for my team, hard to find one..

[aklemalp]

^ an all rounder in the market is a rare player.

You'll have to look at the youths and train them well hoping to get lucky.

I bought my spin allrounder Kyle Lawson when another manager decided to put him in the maker after his youth career was over, he was 20 year old....bought him for a couple thousand.

It will be hard to find a good allrounder unless you decide to train a youth all the way...conningham could have stayed on.

[SportingBD]

Currently bidding for a 28 year old Indian All-rounder.

His skill attributes matches my team. Bided 11,000.

Deadline tomorrow morning.. think he might go for more...fingers crossed.

I have Sneedon as All-Rounder in youth, but he would need like 3-4 seasons before ready.

So in the meantime, need someone to make up for it.

[aklemalp]

^^what's his wage when transferred shows?

28 year old players usually in their prime go for 10K as their wage

[SportingBD]

Wage is 11-K. Shouldn't be a problem for my team.

I got rid of 3 players.. and now can cope with a player having 11/12-k or less as salary...

But don't think I can get that guy.. as I wont know if others will bid for him when I'm sleep.

[aklemalp]

He sounds he's a very good player. The managers will jump on him when it gets close to close of bid. And those darn bidding agents, ridiculous.

[aklemalp]

Conditions for today's match is expected to be sunny and hard...

Good for batting, and also the fast men.

Good balance.

[SportingBD]

Luckily got the new All-Rounder! His playing the friendly match. Let's see what his about. Playing a strong team, need to get confidence back. Both my senior batsman playing. Resting Picker. Let's see how they cope with the new addition.

[aklemalp]

Great news!

Let's see how he performs. I'm resting Donaghy. HVD still plays, looking to make it 3 centuries on three matches.

Playing the youngster, Ehsanul Sajjad to prop up the bowling and gain some experience.

20 year old Madhukar Sai returns to the squad.

[SportingBD]

Sporting Bengal starting XI announced for the friendly match vs Halogens.

1. Johannes Mahlangu (C)
2. Ramon Nolan
3. Fadil Mahmoud
4. Morgan Krejza
5. Carlisle Reardon
6. Narain Pai
7. Sunil Irvine (WK)
8. Luqman Qureshi
9. Ryder Kutcher
10. David Matheson
11. Ronald Boyce