From The Pavilion

Game 1
USA U20
Humid/Uneven

Very favourable conditions for our seam attack today!

Losing the toss and being put in to bat wasn't an idea start, and things were made worse losing two wickets in two balls, with opener Conway and accumulator Tipton losing their wickets in successive balls in the 5th over.

We slowly managed to stabilise the innings at this point, but the momentum never came, Graham top scoring with a less than run a ball 37*. We ended the innings 107-4, probably 20-30runs shy of a good target in the conditions.

We came out to bowl knowing it would be a tough defense, but things started well with a first over run out of their captain and best bat Pedro Richard. Things got away from us from here, with a 70 run second wicket partnership looking like the USA were going to cruise to the target, needing 41 from 8 overs

However things took a turn when Neilsen finally made the breakthrough. Needing 22 from the last 4, Cummins took a wicket and only conceded a single run increasing the run rate pressure.

Down to the last over, 7 runs were required, not an easy task in tough conditions. A single, a two, and then two wickets in two balls from Land meant the target was 4 runs in 2 balls. We then missed a runout, with another couple being put on the board - the chance at a team hat trick gone begging.

Last ball, two to win, one to tie. The batsmen, Lester, slips over returning for the second and is run out by Graham. A tied match! A wild start to our campaign against our biggest rivals from down south.

Next up, Bangladesh U20 on humid/dry!

Game 2
Bangladesh U20
Humid/Dry

This was the match we were least prepared for, with 4 uneven decks this tour we went light on the spin with the aim to pray to the various gods in hope of an upset. Sadly this wasn't to be today!

We lost the toss and they chose to bat first. An early wicket from London Vogel kept the early run rate down, and after 10 overs we had them at a respectable 65-2. Sadly, after this we dropped both set batsmen, Bashar and Das, who then went on to score a monsterous 125 from the final 10 - leading BD U20 to 190/3, Bashar 110* of 59.

A target of such magnitude was always going to be an exceedingly difficult task, however we started solidly, making our way to 75/1 from the first 10, both openers Conway and Graham scoring a useful 20ish. Unfortunately at this point the RRR pressure got the best of us, and instead of kicking on like the BD innings, our batsmen puttered out. We did have a 53* from Warner, and all batsmen playing scored double digits minimum, but we only made it to 147-4, leading to a painful 43 run loss.

In the end, shows the importance of taking your catches, as dropping a guy who goes on to score 110* early is a tough pill to swallow.

On to the next!
SL U20 on Hot/Slow