93/10 (18.0)
CR : 5.17
148/10 (19.3)
CR : 7.59
Edinburgh Castle Rockers won by 55 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Gareth Delany
31(18)
Let's rewind a bit...
How did the Rockers' innings begin? Almost as badly as a batting side could ask for. David Wiese struck twice in his first over, removing JJ Smuts for a duck and then bowling Andries Gous for 4. Jai Moondra then removed Ross Adair for 9 at 2.6, with Faf du Plessis producing another sharp catch. Edinburgh were 14/3 after 3 overs and were staring at a very short innings. The Powerplay ended at just 28/3. Rotterdam's seamers had made the most of the conditions, and the Rockers' top order had barely got going.
How did the Rockers' innings begin? Almost as badly as a batting side could ask for. David Wiese struck twice in his first over, removing JJ Smuts for a duck and then bowling Andries Gous for 4. Jai Moondra then removed Ross Adair for 9 at 2.6, with Faf du Plessis producing another sharp catch. Edinburgh were 14/3 after 3 overs and were staring at a very short innings. The Powerplay ended at just 28/3. Rotterdam's seamers had made the most of the conditions, and the Rockers' top order had barely got going.
6:06 PM IST, 2:36 PM Local Time: The best way to win a T20 is to make it look nothing like one. Edinburgh Castle Rockers won by 55 runs, defending 148 with remarkable authority after Rotterdam Dockers had reduced them to 28/3 in the Powerplay. The Rockers rebuilt through the middle overs, then Rotterdam lost wickets too regularly in the chase. Tom Curran led the way with 3/16, while Jai Moondra, David Wiese and Anrich Nortje took three apiece for the Dockers in the first innings. In the end, the Rockers' bowling was far better than their batting, and Rotterdam's chase never recovered from its disastrous start.
Faf du Plessis(Rotterdam Dockers Captain) - " (On the loss) Felt that we could chase down that score easily. We thought it was a really good wicket. I felt they were 20 runs under par. Disappointing that we couldn't get through.
(On where it went wrong) When you play chasing small totals like that you know that the only way in which the opposition can win is by picking up wickets in the powerplay. We sort of allowed them to get into the game in the powerplay as we lost four wickets including a soft run out.
(On the pitch and their batting) It is a really good pitch. I was saying the same thing sitting on the sidelines with the boys. I feel that the new ball played a role but there was swing both ways and you saw both sides losing wickets early on. So good bowling by both the teams but not good our batting perpsective as we couldn't adapt to the conditions against the swinging ball. So being 40 for one after six overs would have been ideal and we could have had cruise control of the game.
(On the lessons from the loss) Yeah park it but always take the learnings. Always make sure that you go through your own process and review the things that you want to do really well. And often in a day like today. We did well in the field though but there are things on which we need to work on and keep getting better. But tomorrow we have another game so we can't be spending too much emotions and spend time going down. "
(On where it went wrong) When you play chasing small totals like that you know that the only way in which the opposition can win is by picking up wickets in the powerplay. We sort of allowed them to get into the game in the powerplay as we lost four wickets including a soft run out.
(On the pitch and their batting) It is a really good pitch. I was saying the same thing sitting on the sidelines with the boys. I feel that the new ball played a role but there was swing both ways and you saw both sides losing wickets early on. So good bowling by both the teams but not good our batting perpsective as we couldn't adapt to the conditions against the swinging ball. So being 40 for one after six overs would have been ideal and we could have had cruise control of the game.
(On the lessons from the loss) Yeah park it but always take the learnings. Always make sure that you go through your own process and review the things that you want to do really well. And often in a day like today. We did well in the field though but there are things on which we need to work on and keep getting better. But tomorrow we have another game so we can't be spending too much emotions and spend time going down. "
It's time for the post-match presentation.
Player of the Match: Gareth Delany
Gareth Delany (POTM): "[What was the plan when you went out to bat?] I think the key is to stay positive throughout. The top order has been excellent in the first few games, so it was a change today to come in and be asked to contribute in a different role.
[Was the wicket tough?] Not too sure, to be honest. I think they just bowled really well up top. That’s the nature of T20 cricket — you can lose a few wickets early in the powerplay. But I think we showed towards the back end that it was a decent enough wicket.
[How's it been sharing the dressing room with international players?] It’s been brilliant! Getting to train and sit alongside some of the greats of the game has been an incredible experience. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it so far."
[Was the wicket tough?] Not too sure, to be honest. I think they just bowled really well up top. That’s the nature of T20 cricket — you can lose a few wickets early in the powerplay. But I think we showed towards the back end that it was a decent enough wicket.
[How's it been sharing the dressing room with international players?] It’s been brilliant! Getting to train and sit alongside some of the greats of the game has been an incredible experience. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it so far."
Mitchell Santner (Edinburgh Castle Rockers Captain): (On what he thought of the total at the halfway stage) "Yeah, I think probably a little bit under par. We obviously did a little bit early, and they kind of continued into our innings, which was nice.
(On the team's approach and players stepping up) Yeah, I guess so. I mean, as you said, I think we've been gelling nicely. We've obviously played some good cricket. Different guys are stepping up at different times. I mean, a couple of key partnerships there: Brandon played his shots, Laurie, and then obviously Gareth there to get us up to probably a low-par but a target-like score. And then with the ball, we had guys up top doing the job again outstandingly, and it makes my job a bit easier to throw it to different guys and take wickets.
(On the importance of everyone contributing) Yeah, I mean, that puts guys in good places. Everyone's running with momentum at the moment, and as a team, we're gelling nicely. It comes to a big game, you want guys who have got good runs or wickets behind them. As you said before, different guys are getting runs and different guys are getting wickets. So, it's nice. Everyone's in a good place, and may it continue."
(On the team's approach and players stepping up) Yeah, I guess so. I mean, as you said, I think we've been gelling nicely. We've obviously played some good cricket. Different guys are stepping up at different times. I mean, a couple of key partnerships there: Brandon played his shots, Laurie, and then obviously Gareth there to get us up to probably a low-par but a target-like score. And then with the ball, we had guys up top doing the job again outstandingly, and it makes my job a bit easier to throw it to different guys and take wickets.
(On the importance of everyone contributing) Yeah, I mean, that puts guys in good places. Everyone's running with momentum at the moment, and as a team, we're gelling nicely. It comes to a big game, you want guys who have got good runs or wickets behind them. As you said before, different guys are getting runs and different guys are getting wickets. So, it's nice. Everyone's in a good place, and may it continue."
So, where was this match really won? With the ball. Edinburgh's batting gave Rotterdam a chance at 148, but their bowlers refused to let the Dockers take it. Curran's 3/16 from four overs was the standout spell, while Santner took 2/17 and Watt 2/23. The early wickets did the real damage. Rotterdam went from 0/0 to 9/4, then 40/5, 56/7 and 71/9. The Rockers never allowed a substantial partnership to develop. Their own top order may have stumbled, but the bowling unit made sure the Dockers stumbled harder.
In the end, Edinburgh Castle Rockers defended 148 with plenty to spare, winning by 55 runs. Also, don't go anywhere, as there is one more game scheduled today in the ETPL. So, switch tabs and follow the fun!
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Deepak Prakash, Soumarya Dutta, and scorer Raju Khariya. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!