Royal Tigers won by 2 wickets

Longest game ever in Hungary brings Six for Su(per)man!

Last year's HCL finalists Royal Tigers and Baggy Blues faced each other once again for the first time since the final for this historical friendly match at RAFC on 9 May 2009. The proposed 40 overs-per-side was reduced to 35 with the over30C forecast a concern this early in the season, but this remained the longest-ever overs-bowled total in Hungary's short cricketing history. It wasn't to be the only record broken on this day though...

In the midst of TV and other media crews and journalists, the Royal Tigers took wise advantage of the morning's overcast and steamy conditions by uncharacteristically choosing to bowl first in the match. After a steady start the Blues got through 10 overs without loss before the entrance of Suman (quite obviously a nickname, short for his real name of Superman). Suman is well known in the HCA for sixes – but usually he does this with the bat. Today Suman did it with the ball as he proceeded to completely destroy the Baggies supposedly stronger batting line up, grabbing an incredible 6 wickets for 16 runs from 7 fiery overs to create a new Hungarian record – albeit in a friendly match. Opener Mike Glover was strong for his 31, but no other batsman got past 6 whilst Suman was wreaking his havoc. The only other wicket to fall in this period came courtesy of a truly amazing piece of fielding from new Tiger Stan. Suman (who else?) had brought the edge that appeared to be heading for a fortunate four. The 'obvious' single was called for but Stan flew headlong from wide slip to somehow cut off the ball with one hand, and simultaneously turn and throw the ball with the other whilst remaining prone on the ground, effecting a viciously fast direct hit that caught the unfortunate and shocked Baggy debutant Alex Johnson half a metre short. But by then the cameras had been packed away, unfortunately.

After the storm new Baggy Pip Gamble steadied things a little with a 17 that included two impressive sixes, joined capably by Hiran de Silva whose supporting 12 brought slight hope to the Baggy Blues salvaging something from the match after all. But when Pip fell at 111-8 things looked far from the total required to test the champions, and Baggies' captain Andrew Leckonby came to the crease with nothing much to lose. Hiran was soon gone too and it was 127-9 with Mark Bownas joining Leckonby to provide the last resistance. Well, the fort held firm and the unbroken partnership of 42 (second highest of the day) was brought up in just over 4 overs with Leckonby finishing on 38 n.o. (surprisingly, the day's highest score) and Bownas rightfully proud of his unbroken double-figures (10 n.o.). 169 became the target and the Baggies sensed a chance to finally knock off the Tigers. Could it be?

The clouds had cleared and the sun was glaring as the return battle began. The Tigers also started steadily and reached 33 without loss until Mahesh Singh cashed in with the first two of his four wickets – each nicely caught by new Baggy Onur Ozkul. But then it was the Tushar and Amandeep show. The pair steadied and capitalised on missed chances to push the score quickly to 88 and approaching the comfort zone. Finally Amandeep went but Tushar proved harder to remove, steadfastly holding out to match Amandeep on 21 before going. Sameer made a quickfire 15 but it was new boy Stan who proved he can bowl, field, AND bat by guiding his team home with their top score of 32 not out. Faint and desperate hopes arrived for the Baggies when the Tigers' 8th wicket fell with still 2 more runs to win, but Stan finished it off in style with a big six and it was all over. The Royal Tigers win again, but once again these two teams provided a classic match full of great action in great spirit, a match that was everything that cricket should be. Can't wait for the next one...

Man of the Match: Suman