PATTAYA, Thailand – PCC’s second match of the weekend was against an out of form Southerners CC at the TCG ground at Samut Prakan on a hot and airless day. In PCCs previous 5 matches they had been extremely competitive, but they found the Southerner’s bowlers too difficult to master and their batsmen too difficult to contain. This was a match that PCC would like to forget, which is why it is a match they need to remember and learn from.
Andy finally won a toss and decided to bat. PCC opened with Luke Stokes and Mike Gerits against the pace of Chanchai Pemkumta and the spin of Sanjeev Jeyasooriyam. Sanjeev was dominating the batsmen, but the batsmen were dominating Chanchai. However, it was Chanchai that struck first on 30 in the 5th over when Luke was caught at deep backward square for 20 by Mashikant Shahi.
Harry Archer entered the fray as Mike led a charmed life, being dropped twice in one over off Sanjeev. Notwithstanding, PCC were making steady progress and eventually the opening bowlers were replaced by Daniel Jacobs and Kashif Hussain. Mike and Harry plundered most of their runs from Daniel as Kashif was too difficult to get away. PCC made 63 for 1 by the 10th over. What followed was a mini collapse before drinks for very little gain.
Manish Agarwal arrived and took the first of 4 wickets when he bowled Mike for 36 with the score on 65 for 2. Andre Human replaced him but not for long as he was caught by Brett Wells for 6 at extra cover, 73 for 3 off 12. The carnage was not over as Harry was caught by the safe hands of Chanchai at Long-on for 8, 4 for 73 in the 13th. Drinks brought quiet relief at 80 for 4 with PCC 30 runs adrift of par as Kashif and Manish were turning the screws.
After drinks, David Dubare joined the attack and also proved to be economical as Manish continued to take wickets. Jainish Parikh went in the 17th over, caught at backward point by Substitute Sam for 4. Aditya Gosavi went soon after for a Duck, LBW to Manish as Adam Hitchcott tried to hold the fort. 101 for 6 in the 19th over and things looking rather bleak for PCC. Adam added 23 runs to the scoreboard before he fell in the 21st over to Sanjeev, caught and bowled for 23 at 110 for 7.
Ali Garnsworth was making a good start when he was adjudged to be stumped for 11 when the keeper “may” not have had the ball in his gloves. The tailenders fell in quick succession (Andy Emery, Terry Paiva) and the PCC innings concluded on 122 all out from 22.5 overs. This was going to be an early finish unless several miracles occurred.
The Southerners opened with Daniel and Teddy Andrews against Andre and Harry. A plan had been devised to bowl short of a length at pace to keep Daniel quiet, 4 off the first over. Teddy faced Harry’s spin and fancied a slog-sweep which he missed and he was bowled for 2. 7 for 1 in the 2nd over was a dream start, but it brought Sanjeev to the crease. It all went downhill for PCC from there as Sanjeev gave a masterclass in batting. Daniel batted well for 40 not out but survived a catching opportunity when Mike lost sight of the ball.
Sanjeev batted well for his 75 not out, including 11 4s and 3 6s. Later in his innings, Sanjeev was dropped by Andre at Long-off, a very rare event, but the game was almost over at that point. Andre was the pick of the bowlers with 3 overs, 0 for 14, with most the remainder being about 8 or 9 runs per over or more. The Southerners reached 124 for 1 after 13.5 overs and a deserved win by 9 wickets. It would appear that PCC need more practice against spin bowlers. The MotM was Manish for his 4 for 18 and 1 catch.
PCC would like to thank their supporters and sponsors, The Outback Bar, The Magic Bar and the PSG for their contributions and assistance
