OU Authentics 3 June 2024

Manager  Aayaz Mallick

Match Drawn

OU Authentics 168 all out (Alex Ross 3 for 24)

SOA 160 for 6 (Sattyam Bankar 74, Bharat Ramanathan 45)

A fresh-looking team of new SOA recruits with a smattering of old hands gathered on a glorious June day at the highly picturesque Worcester College ground to face the Oxford University Authentics team. The Tics captain intimated to Ayyaz of having a strong batting line-up and the SOA skipper gamefully invited the Tics to batting first.

The strong batting line-up, however, met more than its match in the SOA pace battery of Messrs Bankar, Robey, Hussainkhel and Wright - the highlight being one of the opening batters declaring to his partner that veteran quick Robes is "actually quite good"! Tight and quick bowling saw the Tics struggling at 39 for 3. But a decent partnership in the middle order, helped along by dropped catches (mainly from the SOA skipper himself!), saw the Tics reach a respectable total of 168 before being all out, with Rossy's tail-cleaning spell of 3 wickets in four overs wrapping things up.The SOA reply got off to disastrous start -- Hussain, Ross, and Khattak falling immediately to the ferocious opening spells of Murray and McKay. But from 3 down for 4 runs, Sattyam and Bharat put on an exemplary partnership of 126. An initial absorption of pressure, followed by a counterattack by Sattyam saw us within reach of the target with few overs to spare. With tension rising and the promotion of Shafiq for some big hitting not coming off, the SOA needed 12 off the last over. But excellent blockhole bowling by the Tics skipper saw the game end in an exciting, and ultimately, fair draw.

A wonderful fixture in an exemplary setting, whose revival after a few years' hiatus bodes well for us!