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The following match
report is provided courtesy of the Meraloma
CC website.
Hong Kong vs.
British Columbia at North Brockton Oval, 26 June 2001 (ICC Trophy Warm-up)
Hong Kong win a
low scoring thriller at Brockton Point
Despite posting a
score of just 92, Hong Kong were able to bowl BC out for 88 in what turned
out to be an intriguing game of cricket.
Dave McGowan and 17
year old Simon Upton made their debuts for the BC Senior team as Hong
Kong made 2 changes to the side that had beaten the Meraloma CC on Sunday.
Brew again won the toss and elected to bat.
The first ball of
the day would see the first wicket of the day as Malik turned what was
a simple leg bye into a suicide scramble for 2 that he never made. The
trend was set as the BC bowling attack led by Herft and Upton got stuck
in early and often. Chaudhuri got the finest of knicks to Hawes. French
got a bit more bat on his but was smartly caught at 2nd slip by Dixon.
Both wickets claimed of the bowling of Upton. Davies put up some resistance
and played a couple of attractive shots off his legs in his score of 21.
Upton bowled his 10 overs straight and took 3 key wickets. A great start
for the youngster.
The introduction of
spin would also prove costly for HK as Sandher managed to bowl Brew around
his legs. The HK skipper mistiming a paddle shot. Sandher, who must be
dissappointed not to be in Toronto with the Canadian team, would mop up
the tail taking 4 wickets. Hong Kong, all out with just 92 on the board.
A delighted BC team, figuring that the game was all but over, left the
field with the two lads, Upton and Sandher, leading them off. A top drawer
performance from BC with the ball.
Whilst the BC lads
were patting each other on the back for a job well done the HK coaching
staff was preparing its beleaguered team for the inevitable fight back.
Dixon and McGowan
opened the batting for the home side and they were both back in the 'hutch'
before long. Zubair was flying in and setting the standard that the others
had to follow if the SAR team was to make a game of it. Shahid and Channa
didn't last much long either. TJ was the only real resistance BC could
offer. Brew had taken the ball from Zubair and was bowling every ball
like his life depended on it. At the other end the off-spin of Jawaid
Iqbal was also doing the trick. Hawes fell leg before to Brew and at that
point the game was in the balance with only 50 odd on the board and BC
5 wickets down. Brew continued to bowl an inspired 2nd spell. TJ was run
out from a direct hit by Zubair. He top scored for BC with 25. Lama took
a 'cracker' at point to dismiss Seebaren. Sadly for HK, Lama required
a hospital visit and 6 stitches in his bowling hand due to this catch.
His ICC tournament lies in the balance.
The pressure was all
on BC veteran and captain, Gary Smee as Sandher was caught behind, off
one of Brews 'medium pace leg spin toppers' that ballooned to wicket-keeper
Davis. Last pair in and with 20 overs to go, the last ball of the game
was all too reminisant of the first ball of the day. With Smee attempting
milk the strike an easy single was turned into a suicide two, that Smee
was never going to make. BC all out for a dismal 88.
A great performance
in the field from a HK side that simply refused to give anything away.
So Hong Kong finished
the pre-tournament fixtures with a moral boasting victory. On Friday they
play Denmark in their opening game. Brewy will lead the team the only
way he knows how - from the front. Couple this with the professional coaching
of the classy Moles, the passion of Lal and a team spirit that appears
unbreakable, who knows how far they just might go...good luck to 'em.
Its been a pleasure
having you all here in Vancouver. We'll all be glued to Cricinfo in the
hope that both Canada and Hong Kong can find a way to South Africa 2003.
All the best.
Hawesy
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