A warm victory

Monday 06-06-2021 Glostrup (GCC) vs Taastrup Division Match

Highlights:
Sammi = 50 runs
Awais = 7overs-24runs-4wickets
AJ = 7over-35runs-2wickets

Weather conditions were beautiful, very hot and sunny with a clear blue sky. GCC caught momentum from the beginning, and kept it going through the match. A few hickups along the way, but nothing significant and GCC never looked back from there.

Taastrup won the toss and decided to bat first.

GCC opened their bowling with Sheraz and Awais, and cashed in on two chances in the 2nd over by removing two top order batsman. Awais played a vital role here, as his bowling gave GCC the breakthroughs. Awais bowled a beautiful delivery at fifth stump, which the batsman edged straight back to our keeper, Bilal. Bilal so elegantly showcased a pair of safe hands (Taastrup 4-1). It didn’t take much longer to capitalize on the good start as Awais, in his very next delivery, once again steamed in to deliver yet another stunning delivery at fifth stump, which completely bamboozled the batsman to edge the ball at first slip, Fraz. Fraz also showcased a safe pair of hands and didn’t let this chance go. Two balls two wickets, and the famous hat trick chance for Awais, which unfortunately didn’t become a reality (Taastrup 4-2). In came Sri Kumar from Taastrup who played a steering innings for Taastrup and put 58 runs on the board. GCCs bowling was quite volatile in the middle part of the innings with a few dropped chances, and high number of extras given (29 wides, 1 no ball and 3 dropped chances), however their ability to keep taking wickets at a regular pace resulted in Taastrup only getting two partnerships of +30 runs. AJ and Sammi– can’t keep them out of the game. Another brilliant performance by AJ and Sammi bowling a full quota of 7 overs each, ending with figures 7over-35runs-2wickets and 7over-29-runs-1wicket, respectively. They played an anchoring role in the 2nd half of GCCs bowling in order to keep the scoring rate at a minimum for Taastrup, supported by Khurram’s popular loopy deliveries, which always manage to bring out the dancing feet out of batsman at the crease, and test their patience. Taastrup 172-9 35.0 overs. GCC needs 173 to win at 4.9 runs per over.

Glostrups batting started on track and were cruising at a run rate of 5 runs per over. Bilal and Iftekhar opened the batting and displayed a safe piece of batting – as the saying goes in Danish ‘Go’ cricket’. Fraz had asked for 50 runs after the first 10 overs, and both openers managed to cash in 49 runs at 10.0. It didn’t take much long after that before GCCs first wicket fell. Iftekhar played a solid innings of 22 runs and managed to put a joint 54 runs on the scoreboard with Bilal, before he was caught. Mind you, the temperature was 27 degrees Celsius with no wind at all. In came Sammi, who didn’t show any signs of low energy levels despite the heat and started going for singles doubles, and triples from the very first ball. Great running between the wickets was once again at display here, however, after a 32-run partnership Bilal had to see himself depart after being caught. A wonderful 30 run innings from the GCC wicketkeeper. GCC 86-2 after 19 overs and needed 87 to win from 16 overs.Skipper, Fraz, was next to take the crease, and there’s not much to say other than what a brilliant performance from GCCs two experienced senior players, Fraz and Sammi. A culmination of hard work, persistence and mental strength was at display here. They both added a joint total of 58 runs on the board where 80% of these came from singles and doubles in the burning heat of Copenhagen. Once again ‘go’ cricket’! A bit of sledging from Taastrups bowler didn’t slow Sammi down, as he illustrated how to transform sledging into positive energy and hit the bowler for 6,4,4 in his next three deliveries. 50 up and Sammis first half century of the season. A mishit resulted in Sammi being caught out short after completing his 50. GCC 144-3 after 26.0 overs. GCC need 29 runs to win from 9 overs. Next batsman in was AJ who along with Fraz securely bagged in the victory for GCC, and managed to chase down the total of 173 in the 30th over. AJ, staying true to his natural game, hit three 4s around the ground, where two of them came from the last two balls of GCCs innings. The heat was unbearable and he made it clear that he wasn’t going to stay in too long and wrapped up the match with Fraz. Fraz 33 not out and AJ 19 not out.

Congratulations to GCC on this win 

MOM goes to Sammi for his half century 

Next match will be on Sunday 13 June 2021 against Køge, at Køges homeground