30.4 overs, 143 runs, 16 wickets…and in the end, it was just 15 runs that separated the two teams.

It was Wesleyan Cricket Club’s 25^th game. The original plan was to have a game against Yale, where it all began in September, 1999, but Yale’s inability to host Wesleyan led to a rethink and the Wesleyan vs Invitational IX game was scheduled.

The Invitational IX was comprised of players from outside Wesleyan who had contributed significantly towards the progress of the club, especially in the highly rewarding 2000-2001 season. It was fitting that they were able to participate on the occasion of the club’s 25^th game.

Wesleyan had a new captain, 19-match veteran Zaki Choudhury. Unlike his predecessors, he won his first toss and promptly inserted the opposition. The idea was to utilize Wesleyan’s depth in bowling and restrict Praveen’s side to a small total in the 25 overs-a-side game.

Swarna Basu and Vuyani Sifiniza opened the bowling and the opening batsmen were harsh on anything overpitched on leg stump. Some quick runs helped the Invitational IX get off to a positive start. However, there were some alarms for the batsmen as first Ranga edged Swarna through vacant second slip and Srikanth cut Vuyani’s first wide of point where Swarna was a trifle late at getting to the ball. Vuyani bowled beautifully after a nervous first over.

Finally, Ranga played across the line to a straight ball from Swarna and was bowled for a brisk 20 (score: 28/1 in 4.4 overs). Edwin Antony replaced Swarna (3-0-18-1) and bowled both Suresh (0, 31/2 in 6.4 overs) and Srikanth (10, 42/3 in 9 overs). Debutant Arun Patnaik replaced Vuyani (3-0-11-0) at the Cross Street end and he struck at the stroke of drinks when Vishnu, who had just carted Arun for a six, flicked him straight to Zaki at short square leg for 6 (57/4 in 11.5 overs). Zaki’s catch was his 6^th for Wesleyan, equaling Jugjeev Duggal’s record.

Phudorji Sherpa replaced Edwin (3-0-10-2) and he baffled the batsmen with his leg-spinners. Skipper Praveen was stumped by Edwin (who had taken over from Jacob Fain behind the stumps after drinks) for 10 (67/5 in 13 overs). Zaki replaced Arun (3-0-18-1) and he trapped Karunakar leg-before for 2 (76/6 in 15.1 overs) and Satish was run out first ball thanks to a quick pickup and throw by Phudorji (76/7 in 15.2 overs). Harsha, who was looking solid, was trapped in front by Phudorji for 13 and the visitors were all out for just 79 off 16.2 overs. Phudorji finished with figures of 2.2-0-10-2 and Zaki finished with 2-0-9-1. Wesleyan’s fielding was good in general although a couple of tough catches were missed.

An asking rate of 3.20 didn’t seem challenging at first but Suresh got the visitors off to a great start. First, Vuyani (1) was caught behind off a ball that shot up from good-length (12/1 in 2.2 overs) and Phudorji (2) was caught by Praveen at first slip off a similar ball and Wesleyan were 19/2 in the 5^th over. Jacob (8) hit a return catch to Ranga (19/3 in 5.3 overs) and Zaki was trapped leg-before by Ranga for 1 (23/4 in 7.4 overs). Wesleyan played out Suresh who finished with fantastic figures of 5-3-6-2.

Edwin arrived at the crease to join Inam Ahmed and he started out in a blaze of runs, scoring 2/2/4 off the first three balls faced. When Vishnu came on to bowl, Wesleyan were 32/4 in 9 overs with Edwin on strike. Edwin welcomed him with a huge six and then took a single. Inam hit two consecutive fours and was then clean bowled for 10 (47/5 in 9.5 overs). Arun came and went, caught by Ranga for a duck (48/6 in 10 overs).

With 32 runs to win off 15 overs, preserving wickets (there were only 2 left) was going to be critical. Swarna joined Edwin who soon raced to 30 with his second six off Vishnu. And at 64/6 in the 14^th over, he played all over a straight one and was bowled. Arnab Bhattasali joined Swarna with 16 runs required off 11.2 overs. Praveen got through Swarna’s defence with his first ball, only to be overruled by the umpires. Swarna declined an easy single off the next ball. The second legitimate delivery of the over pitched short, Swarna went back and watched in horror as the ball crashed into the base of the stumps, inches off the ground. Wesleyan lost by 15 runs with 10 overs to spare.

It was a thrilling game and it was played in the best of spirits. Ultimately, the team that kept its cool under trying circumstances won. There were no devils in the pitch, but the bowlers dominated this game. Congratulations to the Invitational IX, better known as "Friends of WesCricket" for their victory.

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