Pirates of the St Lawrence versus Mad Dogs of New York
Sunday 19 August 2012
By Neville Cardus (channelling through Prashant Bhawalkar)

Having spent Saturday night licking their wounds, the Mad Dogs of New York — pronounced Maed Dwaugs of Noo Yoahk — returned on Sunday with a renewed vigour. Gnashing their teeth, they gave the euphoric Pirates a hiding that is likely to be etched forever in the minds of the Montrealers.

To be fair, the Pirates chose to field a team that was just as low on experience as it was high on talent. Fielding first, their opening bowlers, Islam and Bhawalkar posed minor difficulties for New Yorkers Chin (58) and Hodges (41). The former, however, settled down to give the concept of chin music an altogether new meaning. Retiring after a half-century, his efforts were continued by his team mates. The only wicket to fall to a bowler was that of Hodges, who was bowled by fellow Kiwi Smith. It is believed that the latter’s dark glasses, muscular frame, and enigmatic manner played no small role in unsettling the batsman. In the end, the Mad Dogs scored 191 for 2, a score that might not have been as daunting for a team with more experience.

The Pirates began badly, losing Yorkshireman Wright for a duck second ball to Hodges. From then on, Roberts performed commendably to score 54 off 73 deliveries – his first half-century for the Pirates. Braving a fiery opening spell from Hodges and Santhanam, he remained steadfastly rooted to the crease while ensuring that the Pirates scored at a run rate of more than 5 in the first 10 overs. Hitting only two fours, Roberts demonstrated massive stores of patience, pugnacity, and stamina under the onslaught of a mid-day sun and an empty stomach. He was well supported by the enigmatic Smith, who played a series of impressive pulls and drives to score a breezy 31 (41 deliveries, 5 boundaries).

Skipper Singh appeared to be in form, hitting two sixes and a four. However, it proved to be a false dawn as he was dismissed for 23. From then on, the Mad Dogs had the upper hand, in spite of Roberts’ Horatius-like defiance.

As the asking rate continued to mount, the Pirates continued to submit to a strangulating field set by the Dogs. A two-wicket haul by Chin, in addition to his earlier 50, along with a brilliant overall fielding performance ensured sweet revenge for the Mad Dogs.

Pirates of the St Lawrence versus Mad Dogs of New York
Sunday 19 August 2012
The Candy Fields, Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Match type: 30 overs per side
Weather conditions: Better yet
Result: Mad Dogs won by 45 runs

Mad Dogs Innings

Extras 24 (Byes 4, Leg Byes 2, No Balls 2, Wides 16)
Total 191 for 2 in 30 overs

Pirates of the St Lawrence Innings

Extras 13 (Byes 2, Leg Byes 3, No Balls 1, Wides 4)
Total 146 for 9 in 30 overs