Match Info:
League CSNL QF: Lions won by 6 Wickets
Venue: Deutweg, Winterthur
Date: 26 Sept. 2021
Time: 11:00 am CET
Game time folks:
Another weekend and this time, it is the quarterfinals of CSNL 40 overs league.
Match Result: CC Wettingen won the toss & elected to bat first only to lost to Zurich Lions.
Match begins:
Riding high on confidence with a thrilling win just an overnight ago in T-10 QF’s it’s a deja vu for Zurich Lions CC as they are facing CC Wettingen in another QF’s this time for the CSNL 40 overs league (as last weekend match was not completed due to rain & today was the reserve day).
Lions are in huddle and they are all pumped up to go.
A brilliant opening spell by Sonu saw Wettingen 3 wickets down in first 3 overs, ably helped by Kanishk who took another one Wettingen were in all troubles when they had 4 overs 10/4.
Excellent bowling and tight fielding by Zurich Lions literally choked any kind of momentum for the opposition when they were 45/7 in 12 overs.
Exceptional tight bowling by middle over bowlers from lions looked like Wettingen might struggle to get into 3 figures.
However a bit lapse in concentration by lions and some sensible batting by Wettingen batsmen who kept rotating they had solid 106 runs of partnership for 8th wicket. Few slogs in the end made handy runs for Wettingen who were finally out for 181 which in the hindsight was not something lions would have liked but is very gettable target.
Time for a break – 10 mins. Second innings to start.
Having solid openers in Kanishk and Ankush lions got off to the flyer when they blistered their partnership. Both looked in supreme touch when they were hitting bad balls outta park and rotating strikes comfortably. They looked in full control and were on driving seat when made runs as per their wish. Soon the partnership flourished to 8 overs 54 without a loss.
The partnership grew more rapidly thereafter when both were running away with wonderful ground shots and some lusty blows in between.
Ankush and Kanishk both made 50 each and their partnership reached to 12 overs 100. The chase was looking very much in control and it was just matter of time when it will be over.
Kanishk was caught in deep before making 50(3 6s) in 14 overs 117. Soon after his partner Ankush was out lbw before making 61(5 4s, 3 6s). Loki and Senthil joined and wanted to accelerate however, a good shot by Loki got caught by a lone fielder in mid-on. It was 142/3 in 18th over.
Sheshu joined Senthil and hit back-to-back sixes in an over. Senthil was caught in deep in 20th over but lions were almost home. It was raining sixes in the end when Sheshu hit 2 more sixes and then Mayur hit 2 back to back sixes to win lions the match comfortably. Sheshu as again played an excellent innings of 36* (1 4s, 4 6s) and nice little cameo by Mayur 6 balls 14 which included 2 sixes.
Mayur's winning Six
Overall quite a professional and clinical win by lions however they would have had liked to chase a lot less had few catches were held on and if they would have tidy up Wettingen tail.
Nevertheless, a win is a win and that too to reach semis of the CSNL is quite a statement from the team, who has worked hard together, sweat out together in practices and now the execution is taking place. When it’s a win it’s a quite a nice feeling but we have been together through the thick and thins and will definitely not be complacent. Lions need to keep working to carry the momentum.
Time to relax and prepare for the most exciting and sought after weekend when we play two semifinals (out of 3 tournaments we have played this season) - firstly the T10 and then the CSNL semis against Zug.
Enjoy the Post Match Interview with Ankush, Kanishk and Sonu, who were jointly adjudged men of the match for their performances.
Way to go team. GO LIONS 🦁
Briefs:
Wettingen cc – 38.1 overs 181 all out (Praveen -60, Senthil 35, Balajee 20; Sonu -3/25, Kanishk 2/33, Snehil 1/8)
Ankush, Kanishk and Sonu were jointly adjudged men of the match for their performances.
I hope you enjoy reading this match report and take care.
See ya all next week and have a great week.
Ciao - TeamZLCC
Snehil