Great start to the semi on day one. Despite a few late arrivals and a profoundly wet outfield, due to squad availability considerations the skipper elected to bowl first. The Spartans were keen to score and tried to hit out, but the Gladdies catching was (largely) up to the task with Rookie and Christian taking vital catches to dismiss the openers. Having found out he was opening the bowling about four minutes before the start of play, Rob pulled out an outstanding spell, consistently beating the outside edge. He ended up taking two wickets and bowling 12 straight. At the other end. Lach kept it ridiculously tight and reaped the rewards with 4 wicket. Hirak and Jimbo wrapped up the tail, and with only 106 on the board, things look grim for the Spartans. Lach and Kunal took us to 0/13 at stumps, so its a further 94 we need day two off a fresh 50 overs. C’mon Gladdies.
Getting. It. Done.
Pretty ordinary political slogan, but it’s certainly what the Gladdies specialised in on day two, comfortably carving out a semi final win v the team that spent most of the season at number 1. With so much time and so little to chase, patience was the name of the game, and two partnerships worked it beautifully. Kunal and Lach knocked out 54 off the first 23 overs, and then Centejas and Christian put on 53 in the next 17.3 overs to get us home very comfortably indeed. A pretty clinical finals effort, all in all. Thanks to all those who came today, even though they didn’t get a bat.
