So we have now Challengers-Peoria, Rovers-QC Kings, Centurions-Panthers playing for the championship on the Diwali day next week.
Read the thread below for the report on Semi-Finals by none other than Sadiq Yusuf.
Monday, October 12, 2009
PlayOffs - SemiFinals Week - Comments
Starting this new thread, so that it becomes easy for you all to comment.
PlayOffs - SemiFinals Week
My Day at the Semifinals - a purely personal perspective
One of the worst cricket-playing days of many years is what we got for the semifinals at WP today - cold; awful, freezing, bitter cold, when the driven cricket balls stingeth like adders and biteth like
serpents. Honestly, we really need to start the season earlier if at all possible - nobody should have to play cricket in weather like this, especially not a match as massively important as a semifinal.
(When I woke up this morning and turned on the TV, at 8am, it was 29 degrees - it was probably just above freezing-point when we took the field at 10am. For the first time ever, I umpired in gloves, and 4-layers of clothing - luckily I didnt have to stop any hard-hit balls like the poor fielders did :-).
Still, the teams (and umpires :-) fought through it, and we ended up with a few terrific games in the end.
I was umpiring QC Kings and Giants on Ground 3 - which turned out to be one of the most amazing games Ive ever seen anywhere, leave alone umpired. It all started routinely - QC batted first, started slow and steady keeping wickets in hand. It was 30/0 in 10 overs, a very good (though unlucky) opening spell from Moshi (who was getting tons of swing). Between overs I looked across WP - PakGym were batting first against Challengers in the game furthest away (and I saw at least one
or two early celebrations in the field for wickets); Milwaukee seemed to be going strong against Peoria early (some shouting about fours and sixes from the sidelines); and Arena after 1 early wicket was also going strong against Rovers.
Anyway. After that ridiculously brilliant SF of mine finished, and I had recovered from the stunned-sandbagged feeling a little, I trooped off to check on the other games. Peoria had indeed lost a 5th wicket to Milwaukee (and 3rd to Asif), being 86/5 - but then Ravi Uddavolu, one of the best unheralded players in our league, had taken over, hitting 46* at a run-a-ball in Kashif's company. Peoria had needed 100 in 20 overs at break, and had actually gotten there with more than 5
overs to spare! (And when they were 5-down, they had Yousuf and Madhu padded up - it really is an extremely deep batting lineup!)
And then I got to see the very end of the Arena-Rovers game. Rovers had needed 107 in 20 with 7 wickets in hand (after an early 51 by Raja Khan), against the best bowling attack in Div2. Arena claimed wickets post-break too..and when Rovers were down to 122/6 they must have been
slight underdogs (60 to win in 10 overs eventually, with 4 wickets in hand). But at this stage Deepak hit 43* and Yogesh 20*, a 64-run unbeaten 7th wicket partnership in only 8 overs, to win the game for Rovers with 2 overs to spare! A quite fantastic chase from the Rovers in the end - they have the reputation of batting all the way down the lineup, and they demonstrated it in full at the most critical time today. In fact, in the last 2 days, Rovers won twice chasing (completed the win against Springfield yesteday) - and chasing 180-odd each time, at WP in a playoff game, is really quite an achievement.
So the finals are set - and there will be Peoria-representation in both Div1 and Div2 finals next week. In this decade only one "away(ie. non-Chicago)" team (Purdue, Div2) has won a title, in either Div1 or Div2 - that will now definitely change next week (with the Div2 title already assured of going to a non-Chicagoland team). An "away" team has not won the Div1 title this decade - only one, Purdue again, has even made the finals; PeoriaCC becomes the second to make the finals,
and will be looking to be the first to win this decade. (I believe StLouis was the last non-Chicago title-winner, in the late 90s).
Bad news for Chicagoland's Div1 teams - both teams coming up from Div2 will be away-teams (either quad-cities or 2nd Peoria trip joining the Urbana trip). Good news for Div2's balance though - and perhaps for the league as a whole. Hopefully we'll have a good weather-day next weekend - could be 3 terrific finals in prospect.
One of the worst cricket-playing days of many years is what we got for the semifinals at WP today - cold; awful, freezing, bitter cold, when the driven cricket balls stingeth like adders and biteth like
serpents. Honestly, we really need to start the season earlier if at all possible - nobody should have to play cricket in weather like this, especially not a match as massively important as a semifinal.
(When I woke up this morning and turned on the TV, at 8am, it was 29 degrees - it was probably just above freezing-point when we took the field at 10am. For the first time ever, I umpired in gloves, and 4-layers of clothing - luckily I didnt have to stop any hard-hit balls like the poor fielders did :-).
Still, the teams (and umpires :-) fought through it, and we ended up with a few terrific games in the end.
I was umpiring QC Kings and Giants on Ground 3 - which turned out to be one of the most amazing games Ive ever seen anywhere, leave alone umpired. It all started routinely - QC batted first, started slow and steady keeping wickets in hand. It was 30/0 in 10 overs, a very good (though unlucky) opening spell from Moshi (who was getting tons of swing). Between overs I looked across WP - PakGym were batting first against Challengers in the game furthest away (and I saw at least one
or two early celebrations in the field for wickets); Milwaukee seemed to be going strong against Peoria early (some shouting about fours and sixes from the sidelines); and Arena after 1 early wicket was also going strong against Rovers.
At break QC were 75/2, with SunilB batting thru 20 overs. In the 10-minute break I checked in across WP - Arena *was* going strong, Samir Raorane hitting it all over the park, 100/2 in the 18th when I saw them. Milwaukee had started strong - 66/0 in 11 overs at one stage, but were suffering a hiccup, they were 77/3 in 17 when I got there; and Daxx had gone crazy on Ground 1 against PakGym, claiming 5 wickets in his opening 8-over spell (something like 5/14 in 8 I think).. PakGym were 86/5 in 20 overs when I got there, with Shahid (having apparently survived a very loud appeal for c behind) going strong in the 40s (Pak had apparently been 50-someting for 5 before getting to 86/5 by break with Shahid looking very good).
We returned to the QC-Giants game.. QC progressed to 124/4 in 30 overs, setting up for the acceleration (meanwhile Arena and Milwaukee seemed to be losing wickets, and even from a distance it appeared Shahid was on the rampage against Challengers - between overs I saw at
least a couple of huge shots). Giants fought back excellently in the last 10, taking wickets and slowing things down. Only 43 came off the last 10 - QC 165/9 at the end of the innings.
Checking in across the grounds at lunch - Arena had gone from 107/2 at break to 185 allout in 38 overs (Sameer 52). Milwaukee had slid from 66/0 to 158 allout (3/27 in 5 for Yousuf; 3/16 in 4 for Chakri); and PakGym had managed 153 allout, of which Shahid Munir had scored the small matter of 102 off his own bat :-) He really is a pretty damn fantastic player. We all watched the first few overs of the Challengers reply before returning to our games - where the Challengers (in their usual slow-and-steady start) hit 31/0 off their first 3 overs before losing Darshan. Right before I got to my game, I saw the dangerous Ravi Patel of Rovers sky one in the first over, and get dropped by the Arena fielder (which I thought might be costly - eventually it sort of was, the opening partnership was about 40).
Giants came in, and lost the huge wicket of Usman in the 2nd over, lofting to the deep - 6/1. Then Vajid and Asim got together, and batted brilliantly. They were dropped a couple times, but looked
positive, kept the runs coming (50/1 in 10) but without too much risk (Vajid vocally reminding both himself and Asim that it was a semifinal being played, to play in the vee :-) In the end a brilliant catch by Anuj got Vajid right at break, for near-50 IIRC - Giants 87/2 in 20, 79 more needed.
A very quick break this time, not as many updates from across the grounds.. Challengers were 90-100 for 4 apparently (and then Mahesh promptly swept consecutive huge sixes as I was walking back after using the restroom); Peoria was 60/4 in 20 overs, Asif having taken 2 (needing 100 more in 20, tilted slightly towards Milwaukee i thought); Rovers were 79/3 in 20, needing 107 more (tilting slightly towards Arena, I thought).
Soon after, even from a distance, it was apparent that Challengers had gotten home with some time to spare - I heard in the end by 6 wickets (Mahesh and Afroze took them home from 90ish apparently) with 9 or so overs to spare, Mahesh with 50+; Peoria lost their 5th wicket soon,
but was now charging against Milwaukee; and Rovers were making it a game against Arena.
Meanwhile, our game was proceeding serenly along - Asim and Rohit after break, taking it to 122/2 after 30 (44 to win in 10, 8 wickets in hand - my first view of Rohit, the latest Giant - looked a very
good player with both bat and ball, excellent pickup). Asim fell for 37, Fouzan came in.. QC were trying to tighten (just like in the QF against Titans), but Giants were still pushing along. 41 needed in 8 overs, 35 in 7. Hari's last over went for 12 though (one terrific drive thru cover by Rohit), and the pressure was released I thought - 144/3 in 34 overs now, 22 to win in 6 overs, 7 wickets in hand.
And then things got strange - and not just ordinary-strange, but Twilight Zone strange! A quick history lesson first - a few years ago, the Giants first patented their playoff run, upsetting teams along the way. In those days the 2 finalists made Division One - and the lower-seeded Giants
upset teams in consecutive years to reach the semifinals... only to lose two heartbreakers, to Capitol by 6 runs one year, to Advancers by 8 runs the next year, pipped to a Div1-promotion at the post. The first time Waqas batted low in the order and I remember him smashing quicks runs against Capitol at the death to almost bring Giants home before *just* falling short; the second time Waqas was left stranded at the nonstrikers end in another close loss (and was inconsolable at
the end - I know, because I remember trying to console him :-)
We returned to the QC-Giants game.. QC progressed to 124/4 in 30 overs, setting up for the acceleration (meanwhile Arena and Milwaukee seemed to be losing wickets, and even from a distance it appeared Shahid was on the rampage against Challengers - between overs I saw at
least a couple of huge shots). Giants fought back excellently in the last 10, taking wickets and slowing things down. Only 43 came off the last 10 - QC 165/9 at the end of the innings.
Checking in across the grounds at lunch - Arena had gone from 107/2 at break to 185 allout in 38 overs (Sameer 52). Milwaukee had slid from 66/0 to 158 allout (3/27 in 5 for Yousuf; 3/16 in 4 for Chakri); and PakGym had managed 153 allout, of which Shahid Munir had scored the small matter of 102 off his own bat :-) He really is a pretty damn fantastic player. We all watched the first few overs of the Challengers reply before returning to our games - where the Challengers (in their usual slow-and-steady start) hit 31/0 off their first 3 overs before losing Darshan. Right before I got to my game, I saw the dangerous Ravi Patel of Rovers sky one in the first over, and get dropped by the Arena fielder (which I thought might be costly - eventually it sort of was, the opening partnership was about 40).
Giants came in, and lost the huge wicket of Usman in the 2nd over, lofting to the deep - 6/1. Then Vajid and Asim got together, and batted brilliantly. They were dropped a couple times, but looked
positive, kept the runs coming (50/1 in 10) but without too much risk (Vajid vocally reminding both himself and Asim that it was a semifinal being played, to play in the vee :-) In the end a brilliant catch by Anuj got Vajid right at break, for near-50 IIRC - Giants 87/2 in 20, 79 more needed.
A very quick break this time, not as many updates from across the grounds.. Challengers were 90-100 for 4 apparently (and then Mahesh promptly swept consecutive huge sixes as I was walking back after using the restroom); Peoria was 60/4 in 20 overs, Asif having taken 2 (needing 100 more in 20, tilted slightly towards Milwaukee i thought); Rovers were 79/3 in 20, needing 107 more (tilting slightly towards Arena, I thought).
Soon after, even from a distance, it was apparent that Challengers had gotten home with some time to spare - I heard in the end by 6 wickets (Mahesh and Afroze took them home from 90ish apparently) with 9 or so overs to spare, Mahesh with 50+; Peoria lost their 5th wicket soon,
but was now charging against Milwaukee; and Rovers were making it a game against Arena.
Meanwhile, our game was proceeding serenly along - Asim and Rohit after break, taking it to 122/2 after 30 (44 to win in 10, 8 wickets in hand - my first view of Rohit, the latest Giant - looked a very
good player with both bat and ball, excellent pickup). Asim fell for 37, Fouzan came in.. QC were trying to tighten (just like in the QF against Titans), but Giants were still pushing along. 41 needed in 8 overs, 35 in 7. Hari's last over went for 12 though (one terrific drive thru cover by Rohit), and the pressure was released I thought - 144/3 in 34 overs now, 22 to win in 6 overs, 7 wickets in hand.
And then things got strange - and not just ordinary-strange, but Twilight Zone strange! A quick history lesson first - a few years ago, the Giants first patented their playoff run, upsetting teams along the way. In those days the 2 finalists made Division One - and the lower-seeded Giants
upset teams in consecutive years to reach the semifinals... only to lose two heartbreakers, to Capitol by 6 runs one year, to Advancers by 8 runs the next year, pipped to a Div1-promotion at the post. The first time Waqas batted low in the order and I remember him smashing quicks runs against Capitol at the death to almost bring Giants home before *just* falling short; the second time Waqas was left stranded at the nonstrikers end in another close loss (and was inconsolable at
the end - I know, because I remember trying to console him :-)
None of this had crossed my mind yet, though, as it has several times since - it was 22 to win, 6 overs, 7 wickets in hand. QC skipper Satish came back for his last over - and got Rohit clean-bowled. Muted celebration from QC though - too little, too late. Next ball swung away, and new-bat Ali was brilliantly caught by a diving Anuj at slip! Still, mild celebrations - everyone exhorting each other to keep fighting to the end, of course (but Satish rued the 2 early missed catches while chatting with me, as the next batsman Waqas walked in - those might have made the difference, he said).
So, 148/5 after 35 - 18 to win in 5 overs, both opening bowlers bowled out. Satish turned to the leggie SunilB (5-0-32-1 at this stage). Fouzan clean-bowled first ball. Moshi LBW 3rd ball. Suddenly 148/7! Waqas marched halfway to the boundary to meet the new-man Arsalan -
and gave excellent positive advice (relax, play your game, dont let the bowler get on top of you). Arsalan didnt, promptly driving a 2 and a 1 - 151/7 after 36; 15 to win in 4 overs.
QC now decided to go with their keeper Nihar - he had kept wickets all day, not bowling a single ball.. but last week, against Titans, he bowled the vital last over (after similarly discarding his keeping pads), and took the last 2 wickets to give QC Kings their first-ever playoff win in thrilling fashion by only 2 runs. So, keeper-switch, on comes Nihar (and I joke to him that its just like last week - Titans needed 18 in 4, Giants need 15 in 4).
And the crunchtime-specialist, the keeper-with-the-golden-arm, obviously decided it *was* just like last week.. for he proceeded to clean-bowl Arsalan 2nd ball! 151/8, in comes Imran. And, first ball,
Nihar caught the edge - right into the safe hands of HariKiran at wide first-slip! Lightning, they say, never strikes twice - but Nihar apparently does. Two wickets in 3 balls, 151/9, complete pandemonium. Giants devastated, they signalled to us it was all over.. QC starting a crazy leaping fist-pumping celebration...me trying to calm them down, insisting it was still only 9-down...and then finally it transpired that Amer had to catch a flight to Pakistan and had left! (Why hadnt he opened the batting just to get his innings in? I have no idea - am not sure even at what time he left, though he was around during lunch at least).
Anyway. So that was the Div2 semis - the craziest, wildest, nuttiest game (or at least end-of-game) that I think Ive ever seen... 6 wickets for 5 runs in 14 balls (2 of the runs were wides!) The second
crazy-comeback win in a row for the Cardiac-Kings - all credit to them for both games, for never once stopping trying their hardest, fighting to the last ball even when everything appeared lost. Very very hard luck to the Giants though (especially to Waqas - once again stranded at the nonstrikers end) - these are a bunch of great guys, a #8 seed that already upset the #1 seed last week, who deserve better in their longtime quest. They have a couple of excellent young additions to their team now, and Iam sure they'll get to their goal soon (and, while it may be poor consolation at the moment, I hope they know it will taste all that much sweeter for having gone through heartbreaks
like this one).
Let me also say, for the second straight week I could not have umpired a playoff game that was played in better spirit and sportsmanship - there was not one word or gesture in anger, displeasure (or, heck, even mild annoyance) all day long - not between the two teams (who joked with each other almost more than with their own teammates), nor towards the umpires. Its almost sad that someone has to lose games like these - they are a genuine pleasure to umpire, warm the cockles
of ones heart (if not ones actual body on a day like this).
So, 148/5 after 35 - 18 to win in 5 overs, both opening bowlers bowled out. Satish turned to the leggie SunilB (5-0-32-1 at this stage). Fouzan clean-bowled first ball. Moshi LBW 3rd ball. Suddenly 148/7! Waqas marched halfway to the boundary to meet the new-man Arsalan -
and gave excellent positive advice (relax, play your game, dont let the bowler get on top of you). Arsalan didnt, promptly driving a 2 and a 1 - 151/7 after 36; 15 to win in 4 overs.
QC now decided to go with their keeper Nihar - he had kept wickets all day, not bowling a single ball.. but last week, against Titans, he bowled the vital last over (after similarly discarding his keeping pads), and took the last 2 wickets to give QC Kings their first-ever playoff win in thrilling fashion by only 2 runs. So, keeper-switch, on comes Nihar (and I joke to him that its just like last week - Titans needed 18 in 4, Giants need 15 in 4).
And the crunchtime-specialist, the keeper-with-the-golden-arm, obviously decided it *was* just like last week.. for he proceeded to clean-bowl Arsalan 2nd ball! 151/8, in comes Imran. And, first ball,
Nihar caught the edge - right into the safe hands of HariKiran at wide first-slip! Lightning, they say, never strikes twice - but Nihar apparently does. Two wickets in 3 balls, 151/9, complete pandemonium. Giants devastated, they signalled to us it was all over.. QC starting a crazy leaping fist-pumping celebration...me trying to calm them down, insisting it was still only 9-down...and then finally it transpired that Amer had to catch a flight to Pakistan and had left! (Why hadnt he opened the batting just to get his innings in? I have no idea - am not sure even at what time he left, though he was around during lunch at least).
Anyway. So that was the Div2 semis - the craziest, wildest, nuttiest game (or at least end-of-game) that I think Ive ever seen... 6 wickets for 5 runs in 14 balls (2 of the runs were wides!) The second
crazy-comeback win in a row for the Cardiac-Kings - all credit to them for both games, for never once stopping trying their hardest, fighting to the last ball even when everything appeared lost. Very very hard luck to the Giants though (especially to Waqas - once again stranded at the nonstrikers end) - these are a bunch of great guys, a #8 seed that already upset the #1 seed last week, who deserve better in their longtime quest. They have a couple of excellent young additions to their team now, and Iam sure they'll get to their goal soon (and, while it may be poor consolation at the moment, I hope they know it will taste all that much sweeter for having gone through heartbreaks
like this one).
Let me also say, for the second straight week I could not have umpired a playoff game that was played in better spirit and sportsmanship - there was not one word or gesture in anger, displeasure (or, heck, even mild annoyance) all day long - not between the two teams (who joked with each other almost more than with their own teammates), nor towards the umpires. Its almost sad that someone has to lose games like these - they are a genuine pleasure to umpire, warm the cockles
of ones heart (if not ones actual body on a day like this).
Anyway. After that ridiculously brilliant SF of mine finished, and I had recovered from the stunned-sandbagged feeling a little, I trooped off to check on the other games. Peoria had indeed lost a 5th wicket to Milwaukee (and 3rd to Asif), being 86/5 - but then Ravi Uddavolu, one of the best unheralded players in our league, had taken over, hitting 46* at a run-a-ball in Kashif's company. Peoria had needed 100 in 20 overs at break, and had actually gotten there with more than 5
overs to spare! (And when they were 5-down, they had Yousuf and Madhu padded up - it really is an extremely deep batting lineup!)
And then I got to see the very end of the Arena-Rovers game. Rovers had needed 107 in 20 with 7 wickets in hand (after an early 51 by Raja Khan), against the best bowling attack in Div2. Arena claimed wickets post-break too..and when Rovers were down to 122/6 they must have been
slight underdogs (60 to win in 10 overs eventually, with 4 wickets in hand). But at this stage Deepak hit 43* and Yogesh 20*, a 64-run unbeaten 7th wicket partnership in only 8 overs, to win the game for Rovers with 2 overs to spare! A quite fantastic chase from the Rovers in the end - they have the reputation of batting all the way down the lineup, and they demonstrated it in full at the most critical time today. In fact, in the last 2 days, Rovers won twice chasing (completed the win against Springfield yesteday) - and chasing 180-odd each time, at WP in a playoff game, is really quite an achievement.
So the finals are set - and there will be Peoria-representation in both Div1 and Div2 finals next week. In this decade only one "away(ie. non-Chicago)" team (Purdue, Div2) has won a title, in either Div1 or Div2 - that will now definitely change next week (with the Div2 title already assured of going to a non-Chicagoland team). An "away" team has not won the Div1 title this decade - only one, Purdue again, has even made the finals; PeoriaCC becomes the second to make the finals,
and will be looking to be the first to win this decade. (I believe StLouis was the last non-Chicago title-winner, in the late 90s).
Bad news for Chicagoland's Div1 teams - both teams coming up from Div2 will be away-teams (either quad-cities or 2nd Peoria trip joining the Urbana trip). Good news for Div2's balance though - and perhaps for the league as a whole. Hopefully we'll have a good weather-day next weekend - could be 3 terrific finals in prospect.
- By Sadiq Yusuf
Monday, September 28, 2009
Playoff Week 1
So the much awaited Playoffs are now finally going to start. Div 1 playoff spots all decided by now by the controversial tie game rule, while for Div 2, last 2 spots are yet to be decided. Two teams from Giants, Springfield and Collinsville will go through.
So it is going to be super weekend, with all the 4 QFs being played at Washington Park... on both days.
Also 30-30s are well into the semi-finals zone now. With Rockers - Panthers and TrailBlazers - Centurions playing the Semi-Finals, these matchup of evenly matched up teams will guarantee great games.
Lets see which teams look favourites to go all the way through in all the three divisions ...
Friday, September 04, 2009
The Politics of Scheduling
This past weekend, I came across a number of very disturbing incidents that I would like to highlight. They all relate to the politics of scheduling. One can be forgiven for wondering how scheduling can lead to politics, but surprisingly enough it is rife with inconsistencies.
Flames were schedule to play Phoenix on Aug 1/2 weekend. However, because the CER was taking place, we were informed that the game would be postponed as a couple of players from the Flames were playing in the CER. We had bye weeks on the weekend of the 9/10 and 16/17. Instead, we were scheduled to play back-to-back games on the weekend of 29/30.
Now, I ask why this happened? It wasn't Phoenix players that were involved in the CER. So, why should we be penalized with back to back games when we could easily have played during one of our bye weeks? Yes, the Flames would have to play back to back games, but wasn't this reschedule because of them? So wouldn't they have to be accommodating? However, the wisdom behind the two-fold reasoning that I received left me astounded. Firstly, I was told that it was fair that both Flames and Phoenix has to play back to back games instead of just one. Neither team would have an "advantage". Secondly, the Flames had players who play in the Thirty/30 division and thus the back to back was the only way to accommodate them!
Since when did we start scheduling Div 1 games based on Thirty 30 availability? Does this happen for any other team, or players? Does the management team responsible for scheduling avoid conflicts for Div 1/2 players on all the Thirty/30 team? How is it fair to Phoenix who were not the cause of the reschedule? If a game is rescheduled due to one team (in the past due to some tragic circumstances), doesn't the team responsible for the change have to be the one that is accommodating?
Despite all this, we played the back to back games without any further fuss, resigned to accepting our managment's "fair and consistent" decision making reasoning. But then, things took a turn for the "even more consistent". Phoenix was scheduled to play the Royals on WP4 on Sunday after having played the Flames on Saturday at Community Park. Flames were scheduled to play Muslim Gym on Sunday at WP2. Sometime on Friday, the venues for the 2 Sunday games were swapped. And why would this happen, someone could ask?
Firstly, the Flames game was postponed from a 10am start to a 11am start. Even the Muslim Gym players did not know this until they arrived on Sunday at the ground and had to call the Flames to figure out what was going on. Why was this game rescheduled to a 11am start? Was there an out of town team involved? Not unless one of those 2 teams had relocated within 24 hours to a different city!!! Could it be because the Flames had played a game just the day before on Saturday? Surely not, because Phoenix had just gone through the same predicament and our game began at 10am.
Secondly, why was the venues for the two games swapped? Specially, when both were at Washington Park. Looking at both ground, they both looked really good, well cut, clearly defined boundaries, even field, etc. So, what then could the reason have been? Well, we found out shortly when the Flames players arrived. Muslim Gym players were ok "swapping" back and so we began our game. When the Flames players arrived, they objected (stopping our game for around 30 mins while we figured stuff out). They said that the "matting" was not good. Yet, when we glanced over at the ground, the matting lay neatly rolled up. What manner of phenomenal eye-sight had they developed to see that without unrolling the mat? And when the mat was un-rolled, sure enough, they were correct. Yet, this was the same mat that other teams have played on this season, including Phoenix vs the Wildcats the weeekend prior. So why did this make an iota of difference? Since when were teams scheduled on grounds based on the matting available? We were able to solve the standoff and continue our game with all teams agreeing to the solution finally. But, a mystery had begun unfolding and we had little clue as to the motives or events behind it!!
Another scheduling mystery that is puzzling us - Muslim Gym were supposed to play St Louis in Chicago. Suddenly, they are now scheduled to play in St Louis! How, why, where did turn-around happen? Were they informed of this, and did the accede to this scheduling request?? What is the motive behind this great puzzle?
Well, we are still looking for answers. We have two options before us. One, send a notice to the MWCC Management and request and explanation. We've done that, because this has left us truly confounded on how and why such a situation would come about!!! This is the second option - employ the services of the brightest and sharpest minds to help us understand what happened here. Is there a detective amongst us who will be able to solve this mystery?
Flames were schedule to play Phoenix on Aug 1/2 weekend. However, because the CER was taking place, we were informed that the game would be postponed as a couple of players from the Flames were playing in the CER. We had bye weeks on the weekend of the 9/10 and 16/17. Instead, we were scheduled to play back-to-back games on the weekend of 29/30.
Now, I ask why this happened? It wasn't Phoenix players that were involved in the CER. So, why should we be penalized with back to back games when we could easily have played during one of our bye weeks? Yes, the Flames would have to play back to back games, but wasn't this reschedule because of them? So wouldn't they have to be accommodating? However, the wisdom behind the two-fold reasoning that I received left me astounded. Firstly, I was told that it was fair that both Flames and Phoenix has to play back to back games instead of just one. Neither team would have an "advantage". Secondly, the Flames had players who play in the Thirty/30 division and thus the back to back was the only way to accommodate them!
Since when did we start scheduling Div 1 games based on Thirty 30 availability? Does this happen for any other team, or players? Does the management team responsible for scheduling avoid conflicts for Div 1/2 players on all the Thirty/30 team? How is it fair to Phoenix who were not the cause of the reschedule? If a game is rescheduled due to one team (in the past due to some tragic circumstances), doesn't the team responsible for the change have to be the one that is accommodating?
Despite all this, we played the back to back games without any further fuss, resigned to accepting our managment's "fair and consistent" decision making reasoning. But then, things took a turn for the "even more consistent". Phoenix was scheduled to play the Royals on WP4 on Sunday after having played the Flames on Saturday at Community Park. Flames were scheduled to play Muslim Gym on Sunday at WP2. Sometime on Friday, the venues for the 2 Sunday games were swapped. And why would this happen, someone could ask?
Firstly, the Flames game was postponed from a 10am start to a 11am start. Even the Muslim Gym players did not know this until they arrived on Sunday at the ground and had to call the Flames to figure out what was going on. Why was this game rescheduled to a 11am start? Was there an out of town team involved? Not unless one of those 2 teams had relocated within 24 hours to a different city!!! Could it be because the Flames had played a game just the day before on Saturday? Surely not, because Phoenix had just gone through the same predicament and our game began at 10am.
Secondly, why was the venues for the two games swapped? Specially, when both were at Washington Park. Looking at both ground, they both looked really good, well cut, clearly defined boundaries, even field, etc. So, what then could the reason have been? Well, we found out shortly when the Flames players arrived. Muslim Gym players were ok "swapping" back and so we began our game. When the Flames players arrived, they objected (stopping our game for around 30 mins while we figured stuff out). They said that the "matting" was not good. Yet, when we glanced over at the ground, the matting lay neatly rolled up. What manner of phenomenal eye-sight had they developed to see that without unrolling the mat? And when the mat was un-rolled, sure enough, they were correct. Yet, this was the same mat that other teams have played on this season, including Phoenix vs the Wildcats the weeekend prior. So why did this make an iota of difference? Since when were teams scheduled on grounds based on the matting available? We were able to solve the standoff and continue our game with all teams agreeing to the solution finally. But, a mystery had begun unfolding and we had little clue as to the motives or events behind it!!
Another scheduling mystery that is puzzling us - Muslim Gym were supposed to play St Louis in Chicago. Suddenly, they are now scheduled to play in St Louis! How, why, where did turn-around happen? Were they informed of this, and did the accede to this scheduling request?? What is the motive behind this great puzzle?
Well, we are still looking for answers. We have two options before us. One, send a notice to the MWCC Management and request and explanation. We've done that, because this has left us truly confounded on how and why such a situation would come about!!! This is the second option - employ the services of the brightest and sharpest minds to help us understand what happened here. Is there a detective amongst us who will be able to solve this mystery?
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Last few weeks before the regular season ends
All the Divisions in the MWCC are at an interesting stage now. Teams fighting hard to make it to the playoffs and at the same time, the relegation battle in Div 1 becoming more fun as well.
The scheduling issues means the regular season can go upto the 3rd week of September at least. Which would make the play-offs taking place in tough weather conditions. All in all, the season is heading towards an exciting finish in the last 1-2 months.
Starting this thread, as the comments for the previous thread were close to 200. Anyways, keep the comments coming !!!
The scheduling issues means the regular season can go upto the 3rd week of September at least. Which would make the play-offs taking place in tough weather conditions. All in all, the season is heading towards an exciting finish in the last 1-2 months.
Starting this thread, as the comments for the previous thread were close to 200. Anyways, keep the comments coming !!!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
CER Special
So, just as our league seemingly is taking an unexpected midseason-break this weekend.. we look back at last weekend, the terrific Central-East Regional Tournament, where our own Midwest Cricket Conference won their second title in a row.
So in this weeks show, we give you a brief update on the early games (and performers) of the CER tournament, leading up to the Grand Finale between MCC and ICML. We then show you extensive highlights of the final itself - especially of the brilliant last-wicket stand between Laxmikumar and Kamran, and the destructive opening spells of Shahid and Mehul, that ended the game as a contest. We also have a post-tournament interview with our triumphant management team of manager Tariq and captain Sohail. And, to end, we have a special treat - a guest interview from all the way across the country, an eyeopening interview about how other leagues plan their assault on their regional tournaments, what sort of a priority they give these regional tournaments, and how detailed and professional their planning is, and how early their preparations actual begin, actually well before their season begins! One of the most eyeopening interviews we've ever had, I think.
Anyway. Hope you enjoy this special - one in which you can witness with our league's triumph, and watch more actual cricketing-highlights than any show we've had to date! (Heck, one particular shot from Kami alone is worth the price of admission, IMHO anyway :-)
CER Special Show
-By Sadiq Yusuf
So in this weeks show, we give you a brief update on the early games (and performers) of the CER tournament, leading up to the Grand Finale between MCC and ICML. We then show you extensive highlights of the final itself - especially of the brilliant last-wicket stand between Laxmikumar and Kamran, and the destructive opening spells of Shahid and Mehul, that ended the game as a contest. We also have a post-tournament interview with our triumphant management team of manager Tariq and captain Sohail. And, to end, we have a special treat - a guest interview from all the way across the country, an eyeopening interview about how other leagues plan their assault on their regional tournaments, what sort of a priority they give these regional tournaments, and how detailed and professional their planning is, and how early their preparations actual begin, actually well before their season begins! One of the most eyeopening interviews we've ever had, I think.
Anyway. Hope you enjoy this special - one in which you can witness with our league's triumph, and watch more actual cricketing-highlights than any show we've had to date! (Heck, one particular shot from Kami alone is worth the price of admission, IMHO anyway :-)
CER Special Show
-By Sadiq Yusuf
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Week 10
Apologies for a delayed 9th edition of the Midwest Wrap - a couple of disk-corruption issues causing all kinds of problems!
But anyway, better late than never I suppose.. dealing with the exciting and controversial Week 9, including cricket-highlights of the Eagles/Purdue game, an interview with Eagles captain Preetam about the differences between Division One and Division Two, Top Performer awards in all divisions, and this time including interviews with two of the top performers of the week, one each in Division One and Division Two - Laxmi of the Eagles and Amer of the Giants.
Late though it may be, hope you enjoy watching it!
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 9
But anyway, better late than never I suppose.. dealing with the exciting and controversial Week 9, including cricket-highlights of the Eagles/Purdue game, an interview with Eagles captain Preetam about the differences between Division One and Division Two, Top Performer awards in all divisions, and this time including interviews with two of the top performers of the week, one each in Division One and Division Two - Laxmi of the Eagles and Amer of the Giants.
Late though it may be, hope you enjoy watching it!
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 9
- By Sadiq Yusuf
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Week 8 and 9
The mid-summer break for our league has come and gone.. and it doesnt quite feel like it, since we've had a bit of a stop-start season on the field this year.
Still, some interesting games played the week before the break - including a controversial win for St Louis over previously unbeaten Pak Gymkhana in Division One. This week we talk to the always-animated Amit Kumar, captain of the aforementioned St Louis about their team and season; report on the Diversity Cup (where several MCC players played over the long-weekend in Detroit and did the league proud); chat briefly with Yousuf-bhai of the Flames, hero of the Flames win over Rogers Park, and part of one of the best and most remarkable stories of the season to date; and award the usual Top Performers in every division for the week. Hope you enjoy watching!
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 8
- By Sadiq Yusuf
Still, some interesting games played the week before the break - including a controversial win for St Louis over previously unbeaten Pak Gymkhana in Division One. This week we talk to the always-animated Amit Kumar, captain of the aforementioned St Louis about their team and season; report on the Diversity Cup (where several MCC players played over the long-weekend in Detroit and did the league proud); chat briefly with Yousuf-bhai of the Flames, hero of the Flames win over Rogers Park, and part of one of the best and most remarkable stories of the season to date; and award the usual Top Performers in every division for the week. Hope you enjoy watching!
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 8
- By Sadiq Yusuf
Friday, June 19, 2009
Week 7
Yet another frustrating week last week (with seemingly another frustrating week in prospect) - the weather isnt really giving us a break this season.
Still, several close games, upsets and dominating performances last week - and, once again, we try and cover it all in our video-magazine, the Midwest Wrap. Including, this week, a chat with MCC-team-captain Sohail on his squad's prospects for the Central-East-Regional, an interview with Rup on the future of his Illinois outfit, and the most exciting Top Performers award across all three divisions of the season.
-By Sadiq Yusuf
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Week 6
Once again a full weekend of games, thankfully, and some excellent contests across the league, especially in Division One - which saw upsets, narrow-come-from-behind-wins, and even a royally-wild tie!
We try to cover most of it, in the Sixth Edition of our weekly video show, the Midwest Wrap. In addition, this week, a quick word from Tariq on the new Flames (who got their first win this weekend), a word with Darshan on his the top-of-the-table Challengers 4th straight win, a chat with Aslam about his Madison outfit's changes, and the usual Top Performers awarded for the week in each division (this week, with the added bonus of a quick interview with the Division Two Top Performer awardees!)
Hope you enjoy it, and thanks for watching!
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 6
-By Sadiq Yusuf
We try to cover most of it, in the Sixth Edition of our weekly video show, the Midwest Wrap. In addition, this week, a quick word from Tariq on the new Flames (who got their first win this weekend), a word with Darshan on his the top-of-the-table Challengers 4th straight win, a chat with Aslam about his Madison outfit's changes, and the usual Top Performers awarded for the week in each division (this week, with the added bonus of a quick interview with the Division Two Top Performer awardees!)
Hope you enjoy it, and thanks for watching!
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 6
-By Sadiq Yusuf
Friday, June 05, 2009
Week 5
Actually a full weekend of games this week, with the rain holding off
the week of our return from the Memorial Day weekend. Long may it
continue!
We try and cover all of it again, in Edition Five of our weekly video
magazine the Midwest Wrap, along with the usual news, views,
interviews. This week, breaking news in a chat with Asif, about the
immediate and long-term big-changes taking place at Lincoln Park in
Milwaukee as we speak, a chat with Mankesh about the Eagles latest
pickups, an interview with Raish about the high expectations of the
Jaguars this season (with the demise of IIT, probably one of the new
favourites in Division Two this season), Top Performers of the week,
and in addition... returning due to popular demand (well, not really,
more returning due to personal whim)..the return of "One More Thing",
a personal commentary by your host to end the show. Hope you enjoy it,
and thanks for watching!
the week of our return from the Memorial Day weekend. Long may it
continue!
We try and cover all of it again, in Edition Five of our weekly video
magazine the Midwest Wrap, along with the usual news, views,
interviews. This week, breaking news in a chat with Asif, about the
immediate and long-term big-changes taking place at Lincoln Park in
Milwaukee as we speak, a chat with Mankesh about the Eagles latest
pickups, an interview with Raish about the high expectations of the
Jaguars this season (with the demise of IIT, probably one of the new
favourites in Division Two this season), Top Performers of the week,
and in addition... returning due to popular demand (well, not really,
more returning due to personal whim)..the return of "One More Thing",
a personal commentary by your host to end the show. Hope you enjoy it,
and thanks for watching!
- By Sadiq Yusuf
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Pick, Weight, and Win!
Welcome to the first ever edition of PICK, WEIGHT, and WIN!
Please note, this game is easily accessed each week by clicking on "Pick, Weight, and Win" under the "Midwest Cricket links" section in the right column.
This is a game where each player needs to use their knowledge, an in-depth analysis, insider information, or just plain luck to win. Here are the rules:
1. The moderator will post the games where you need to make a pick by Wednesday evening. Apologies that the first one is late.
2. Each participant will need to go in and select who the winner will be for that game. This is done by posting a comment with your predictions only.
3. There will be a total of 8 games up for selection each week - 7 normal games and an one bonus game.
4. Assign a weightage to each selection (1 thru 7). If no weightage is assigned, then the order of the predictions determines the weightage (first is highest, last is lowest).
5. The moderator will close the prediction window for future comments on Friday between 10pm and midnight.
6. The moderator will post the score total of those who participated.after the weekend and results are announced.
7. Points will be calculated as follows:
a. If the team you picked wins or is awarded the win, you get the assigned weightage points.
b. If the team you picked loses, you get 0 points.
c. If there is a tie, you get 50% of the weightage points rounded to the nearest whole number.
d. If a game is postponed, then the replayed game will count when it is played.
e. If a game is abandoned for any reason including weather, you get 0 points.
f. The bonus game weightage will be 10 points. The scoring system mentioned above will be applied to this game as well.
8. The winner of each round is allowed to email the moderator with the 7 games to be used for the next round. The email must be sent by Wednesday at 5pm. The moderator may choose, at his discretion, to not use some of the games suggested by the previous round winner if he feel that there is a scope for bias.
9. The last round of this event will be the first round of the playoffs. The person with the most points will be declared the overall winner and will receive a prize (yet to be determined).
Let the games begin.....
(Please do not post comments except for your predictions to this thread. Comments will continue to be available via the weekly chat thread)
Please note, this game is easily accessed each week by clicking on "Pick, Weight, and Win" under the "Midwest Cricket links" section in the right column.
This is a game where each player needs to use their knowledge, an in-depth analysis, insider information, or just plain luck to win. Here are the rules:
1. The moderator will post the games where you need to make a pick by Wednesday evening. Apologies that the first one is late.
2. Each participant will need to go in and select who the winner will be for that game. This is done by posting a comment with your predictions only.
3. There will be a total of 8 games up for selection each week - 7 normal games and an one bonus game.
4. Assign a weightage to each selection (1 thru 7). If no weightage is assigned, then the order of the predictions determines the weightage (first is highest, last is lowest).
5. The moderator will close the prediction window for future comments on Friday between 10pm and midnight.
6. The moderator will post the score total of those who participated.after the weekend and results are announced.
7. Points will be calculated as follows:
a. If the team you picked wins or is awarded the win, you get the assigned weightage points.
b. If the team you picked loses, you get 0 points.
c. If there is a tie, you get 50% of the weightage points rounded to the nearest whole number.
d. If a game is postponed, then the replayed game will count when it is played.
e. If a game is abandoned for any reason including weather, you get 0 points.
f. The bonus game weightage will be 10 points. The scoring system mentioned above will be applied to this game as well.
8. The winner of each round is allowed to email the moderator with the 7 games to be used for the next round. The email must be sent by Wednesday at 5pm. The moderator may choose, at his discretion, to not use some of the games suggested by the previous round winner if he feel that there is a scope for bias.
9. The last round of this event will be the first round of the playoffs. The person with the most points will be declared the overall winner and will receive a prize (yet to be determined).
Let the games begin.....
(Please do not post comments except for your predictions to this thread. Comments will continue to be available via the weekly chat thread)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Week 4 Wrap
Yet another truncated week (especially in Div1) in our season, in the last week before the Memorial Day Break. Still, some good performances across the league in all divisions - and even a full-schedule played in the 30/30, despite the weather!
We try to cover most of it once again, in Edition Four of our weekly video magazine, the Midwest Wrap - with the usual news, views and interviews as well as Top Performer Awards for the week in every division. In addition, this week, a chat with the infamous blogger Romeen (aka Romeo of the Wild Performers), the two centurions from Evanston in Div2 (plus their captain), as well as with some of the U19 kids (Fahad, Moin and Akhil) who were headed up to New York to represent our region at the U19 nationals over Memorial Day weekend - good luck to them!
- By Sadiq Yusuf
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Week 3 Wrap
This time we *did* have a somewhat extensive week - the first such in this rain-affected season to date - with only 2 games eventually unable to be played. Several terrific closely fought games in Division One (indicating the balance of this division once again), a few dominant wins and early statements made by some teams in Division Two, and a few first-looks at new teams in the 30/30 (along with some great performances from the youngsters of the Midwest Cricket Academy). Along with some very good individual performances by players across the league.
We've tried to cover most of it (in our earnest if amateurish fashion) this week too, along with the usual couple of player-interviews, in the third weekly edition of our video-magazine the Midwest Wrap.
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 3
- By Sadiq Yusuf
We've tried to cover most of it (in our earnest if amateurish fashion) this week too, along with the usual couple of player-interviews, in the third weekly edition of our video-magazine the Midwest Wrap.
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 3
- By Sadiq Yusuf
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Midwest Cricket Wrap - Week 2
Not an extensive Week One to our season, as we all know. Still, as they say in our business, "Break a Leg". No, wait, thats not right (Iam still learning the new terminology obviously)... "The Show Must Go On"! Thats right, thats what they say!
So, without any further ado, let me present the Second Edition of our weekly video-magazine, The Midwest Wrap (this week, shockingly, including brief highlights! A rare happening - dont get used to it :-)
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 2
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 1
By Sadiq Yusuf
So, without any further ado, let me present the Second Edition of our weekly video-magazine, The Midwest Wrap (this week, shockingly, including brief highlights! A rare happening - dont get used to it :-)
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 2
MIDWEST CRICKET WRAP - WEEK 1
By Sadiq Yusuf
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The 2009 Season
Do you hear that? It sounds like..... yes..... it is. It's the excitement of a brand new cricket season in the Midwest Cricket Conference - the 2009 season. Teams are preparing their rosters. Some are practicing indoors, outdoors, and just about anywhere they can. Others are getting their equipment out of the garage and taping up bats. Whatever the case may be, everyone is looking forward to the camaraderie and competition. For that is why we play this game in this league - to compete against the best in the midwest and be part of a team with good friends.
The season begins this weekend for most teams. Others have to wait till next weekend, but you can bet your bottom dollar there will be cricket in the park from now till the frost settles in. So sit back, enjoy the beginning of the season, and get ready for another thrilling ride of midwest cricket.
What twists and turns await the cricket faithful this weekend? Will the two new greenhorns to Div 1 start with a bang, or will the favourites come out on top? Are there any favourites? Who will come out swinging in Div 2? Will the new teams of the 30/30 Division come out red hot, or do they have a few things to learn from their returning compatriots? There's only one way to find out.
Lights, camera, Right arm over - 6 to go (my apologies to opening left-arm bowlers)!!
The season begins this weekend for most teams. Others have to wait till next weekend, but you can bet your bottom dollar there will be cricket in the park from now till the frost settles in. So sit back, enjoy the beginning of the season, and get ready for another thrilling ride of midwest cricket.
What twists and turns await the cricket faithful this weekend? Will the two new greenhorns to Div 1 start with a bang, or will the favourites come out on top? Are there any favourites? Who will come out swinging in Div 2? Will the new teams of the 30/30 Division come out red hot, or do they have a few things to learn from their returning compatriots? There's only one way to find out.
Lights, camera, Right arm over - 6 to go (my apologies to opening left-arm bowlers)!!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The snow is starting to melt, the hibernation starting to end....
Well, we're nearly into March 2009. Y'all know what that means - a new MWCC season! Has anyone started to think about it? Is the itch to play and win back? Is anyone alive in the Midwest cricket world - in cricketing terms?
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