Titans XI vs. FCA XI

Let's start from the top down...team leaders/ veterans first.

Tanmay - 3.5 (0 batting, 1.5 fielding, 1.5 bowling, 0.5 discretionary)
Batting was disappointing. Fielding was average. Getting three wickets was good, but giving 40 runs in 6 overs is very poor economy. Picks up a .5 on discretionary due to the guts to bat with an injured albeit an unsuccessful effort...it's good to show courage in front of one's team. In retrospect, he might regret not following his gut and batting first, but listening to his senior teammates was a good option also. Not a good day all in all for Tanmay.

Tiki - 6.0 (0 batting, 3.0 fielding, n/a bowling, 3.0 discretionary)
Got out to a full toss...sheesh. Fielding/ keeping in this case was awesome with a run-out, catch and close stumping opportunities. Picks up a 3.0 on discretionary due to ability to motivate others and constantly trying to lift his teammates all day long.

Wazza - 6.0 (0 batting, 3.0 fielding, 2.0 bowling, 1.0 discretionary)
Duck is only good curried or roasted. Fielding was awesome with a couple catches and some strong throws. Bowling was economical but we expect and need wickets from our big dog. Picks up a 1.0 on discretionary due to his increased verbals support for his younger teammates...we'll need more of that from everyone but especially from guys we all look up to...lol.

Rakesh - 2.0 (0 batting, 2.0 fielding, 0.0 bowling, 0.0 discretionary)
Run out early on in his innings for a duck...need to get faster or call better...player's choice. Fielding was average as he looked a touch slow. Bowling was essentially rubbish as he went for 51 runs with a solitary wicket in his six overs...might be decent in 20/20 stats but not here. Veterans need to pick their teams up when they're down...not contribute to the bleeding. For the record he looked good in the USSC six-a-side the next day...but that is not this blog.

Atif - - 2.5 (0 batting, 2.0 fielding, 0.5 bowling, 0.0 discretionary)
Scored 3 runs battign at #5 with lots of overs to go. Fielding was average as he looked a touch slow. Bowling was troubling the bastmen a bit, but he went wicketless for 42 runs in his six overse. Needs to learn to play his game and be mentally tough for his own sake and his team. Become the spine ofthe team Atif...you can do it and we could use some more spine in our middle order right now.

Umair - 8.5 (2.5 batting, 2.5 fielding, n/a bowling, 3.5 discretionary)
Very good knock given the parade of wickets on the other end...but better strike will be required to boost his score...29 runs in 20+overs at the crease is not ideal. Took a good catch to get rid of S. taylor in the deep...and looked confident in the outfield. Picks up all a bunch of discretionary points due to his resolve and application to put his head down when the ship was sinking and being the only Titan to reach double figures. Hard luck getting out the way he did with the youth mistake and the runner as he was looking set for a 50+.

Bala - 7.0 (0.5 batting, 2.5 fielding, 3.0 bowling, 1.0 discretionary)
Brought some good intent to the crease with the bat but his technical flaws got the better of him Fielding was above average. Bowling was potentially match winning with 4-29 as he turned the game back our way. He gets the discretionary point for turning the bowlign innings in our direction...otherwise they could have easily posted 200+ again on us.

Akhil - 3.0 (1.0 batting, 0.0 fielding, n/a bowling, 2.0 discretionary)
Get used to comign not out...I want to see that all seaosn long if you ever get to bat. Does not belong in Titans XI as a fielder...yet. It's just a lack of catching repetitions and therefore having the self belief/ confidence on completing most catches. 50% on dsicretionary points mainly because he's doing nothign to say he belongs in the first team. Take you catches young man...as they say catches win matches.

Gowtham- 0.5 (0 batting, 0.0 fielding, n/a bowling, 0.5 discretionary)
Duck. Fielding was horrible. Get's .5 discretionary point for turning up on time and being one more body on the field although I think Uvin might have done better. Right now Gowtham is a total liability but he has serious potential...so...it's up to him to sort himself out.

Walt - 2.0 (0.5 batting, 0.5 fielding, n/a bowling, 1.0 discretionary)
Got off the mark and scored his debut run for Titans...unfortunately that was the only run. Fielding was very poor due to fitness, speed and dropped catch. Get's 1.0 discretionary point for almost pouching a tough one at square leg and giving a good effort all round. He knows he needs time and practice to work out his issues and I expect he will make strides this years.

Avinash - 3.5 (1.5 batting, 0.0 fielding, n/a bowling, 2.0 discretionary)
Looked solid with the bat until he got out. Made a huge blunder with the runner situation to run-out the in form batsman Umair. Fielding was very poor due to fitness and speed. Get's 2.0 discretionary point for seemingly being pretty confident, cool and collected. Unlike some of our other youth he looked prepared to play with the big boys and do his best...not sure how to describe the positive vibe I got from him but it was evident.

This BLOG will not count towards the tits...regular season blogs will. Thank goodness for most of you..not our best effort.