GLOBAL ENDS GRIFFINS WINNING STREAK

 A rejuvenated Global full stopped unbeaten run of Griffins CC in the UKMCL 2016 at Combe Park as they snatched the victory, first in four attempts, by 6 wickets. Both the team fought hard for pushing an outright victory but it was Global as they perfectly executed their game plan at the field and paid the reward in a shortened match of 30 overs, due to the late start.

The scores: Global CC 140/4 (28.0) Binu 41*, Ashok 19, Dileep 1/12 beat Griffins CC 139 all out Dileep 50, Stanly 34*Ajith 3/9, Binu 2/18 by six wickets.

Global was methodical and implemented their game plan well in a low scoring match. Global seamers bowled with heart, got plenty of support from fielders though a couple of half chances put down. When came to bat Global batsmen tried to occupy the crease and did not offer as many chances for Griffins bowlers.  Griffins won third toss in a row and the stand in captain Dileep decided to bat first in the absence of Manunath which depleted the batting line-up.

The start of Global innings looked like they wanted to see off the match in 20 overs as they hit towering two sixes in the second overs and scored 20 runs in the first two overs. But the run out Deepak in a mix up with Tiss who later taken off the field due to tore muscle temporarily halted the run flow as the next 18 yielded only 50 runs for the loss of three wickets. The match was evenly poised until Binu cut to loose. He smashed Griffins bowlers all across the park and guided his team to a thumping 6 wickets win with 13 balls to spare. The Global star hit unbeaten 41 off just 27 deliveries with five massive sixes and a four. All global batsmen provided sizeable contribution to the team score on day when Griffins failed to post a defendable total.

Earlier in the day Griffins opening partnership failed third match in a row that saw the top order succumbed to the pressure created by Global seam bowlers. The early loss of Shaan forced Griffins batsmen to rolled in to the shell and blocked every delivery. Runs were deserted even though Global bowlers were generous in giving away extras. At break Griffins crawled to 50 runs for the loss to 2 wickets after 15 overs. Once Dileep started recovery process the score board moved but not at a rapid pace. The stand-in-captain scored his second consecutive fifty from 58 balls, reprieved twice at mid-wicket boundary, before being dragged a full delivery from Binu on to his stump at the score of 111.

The late burst of left-handed Stanly led Griffins to a respectable total. Stanly scored entertaining unbeaten 34 off 27 balls with three sixes and a four. The defeat was first in four matches that halted Griffins' stay at the top of the UKMCL table as MCC’s victory on the same day leapfrogged Griffins in the table.

Report by - Arun Anilkumar