National Side season 60. Be part of it, again.

[boscorp]

A week out from the T20 tournament here in SA and the squads were revealed today along with the pitch distribution. Uneven, hard and sticky was our bid for the 15 matches Its ended up being more like hard, sticky and uneven. We drew 1 match on the uneven and that is the second match when we play Australia. Match number 3 against Ireland will be on a sticky and the other 3 games are all on hard wickets. We are confident with the selected squad and well aware that this will be a very competitive series to qualify for what may be the last T20 world cup in the 18 team format.
We placed and won a high bid to host the tour on a majority of uneven pitches to suit the fast bowlers but instead there will only be a total of 3 games on uneven. 4 will be played on sticky wickets and the remaining 8 matches will all be on hard pitches. Very disappointing to pay such a high price to have 1st preference getting the least. Would of been better not bidding at all but such is life.
I'll list the squad in the next day or 2.

[boscorp]

T20 Tournament Squad

Batsmen

E Ballens Fairfield College 1st xi
K Carrington GRUMPY OLD MEN
D Cox West Coast Eagles
AB de Villiers Chesney Champions
J Frylinck North Cunnett CC
G Morcom tanmay3011
N Naitanui West Coast Eagles
M Raath Almost
J Rhodes Schweddy Balls

Bowlers

J Cormack budgiewoi bulldogs
C Fairbairn Tobago Saucers
J Harburn Container World
J Kennedy Jareds XI
D Lambrechts Budgiewoi Puppies
C Muncher Middle Stump Lubricators
Q Oshine Lincolnshire ccc
D Telemachus kato11
D van Vollenhoven Tobago Saucers

The following players make their International Debut.
AB de Villiers
J Kennedy
J Rhodes
D van Vollenhoven
E Ballens and C FairBairn are also making their T20 debuts.

Hopefully I haven't missed anyone. "The stage is set", we have some of our most powerful batsmen, explosive bowlers and acrobatic fielders prepared to showcase their skills in a top class series. We play UAE first up followed by Australia, Pakistan, Ireland and India.

[boscorp]

Okay. The tournament starts tomorrow, and the week looks as though it will be humid and sunny.
We have a tough series ahead of us with a lot to prove. 4 of our 5 opponents have the upper hand as far as rivalry goes and the order of the draw will be a challenge. 1st up we play UAE, with 9 wins from 21 encounters we will need some good focus to make an impression on the first day.

[boscorp]

UAE
The UAE as a first up fixture was always going to be tough. We lost the toss and the keen eye of our opponent picked up on the condition of the wicket and sent us in to bat. The first 5 overs was a decent start. Losing 4 wickets in the following 3 overs had us in a bother. We still had some decent bats left but the bowlers were getting lots of swing and movement off the pitch and we were flailing to get runs on the board. 124 was our score. Just as it was our turn to bowl the pitch turned into a batsman's paradise. We couldn't get the movement in the bowling and the runs were too hard to contain. Unable to even take a wicket we felt at a loss by the end of the game. It was competitive but the performances outclassed us on this occasion.

Australia next up.
We only have 17 T20 encounters to date and we have won 6. Aus are definitely favorites but we have had some good recent wins against them. Namely the WC final so we aren't without a chance. It will be a match well worth watching.

[boscorp]

Australia

We won
We won the toss and with a little hesitation opted to bat first. We stumbled a little but kept the runs constant. Cox (58) and Raath (31) held us together and the others built the rate up. We finished at 7/140 a bit uncertain but content.
The support from the home crowd was unbelievable. Horns and trumpets were sounding throughout the match, drums were beating and the crowd were bouncing. Fairbairn bowled best with 3-25 taking MOTM. We kept ourselves in the game and by the last over any of 3 results were a good chance. 6/138 was the Aussie innings and we won by 2 runs.
Pakistan next and their recent form will have us on our toes. A look at the leaderboard and a win here is important for us.

[boscorp]

Pakistan

The toss went against us and we were sent to bowl first. Weary and possibly hungover from last nights celebrations the lads trudged out and took their positions. We thought we did alright keeping them to 5/104.
The first delivery from Pakistan and we realized our position. The top form of Khan quickly disposed of our openers allowing Naved and Bux to demolish us with their pace. 78 runs was our total.
Ireland is next and we have our backs up against the wall. Its all set to be a big game.

[boscorp]

Ireland

It was a hard pitch and there was plenty of crack in this match with the Irish. We won the toss and chose to bat. We got off to a decent start, kept the runs ticking over and 7/189 was the end score. We considered that a decent defendable score and took to the field to finish the match.
Unfortunately, Ireland relished the challenge and more than matched the tempo. 10 runs an over for ten overs had our bowlers searching for a weakness. It was another close match going down to the last over. Ireland avoided demotion and we still have a small chance.
India is our last fixture. Another feared rival, we have 6 wins from 18 T20 encounters. Theres a lot at stake in this match.

[boscorp]

India
Well, we won the match but still demoted.
Following our loss to Ireland we all discussed the tours low points and the future of the squad. An extra training session was ordered and we prepared for India. Cox celebrated a bit early and failed the pre match fitness assessment resulting in Kennedy being selected.
We got off to a solid start, Carrington went first at 47 from 29 balls while Rhodes went on to score a massive 98 from 50. De Villiers followed up with 61 from 32, Raath only managed a single, Kennedy blasted 18 from 7 and Naitanui didn't get a chance. 4/228. It was our highest ever T20 score.
India refused to give up and matched us all the way till the final couple of overs, ending up at 3/221.

[boscorp]

SOD2 touring squad

Batsmen
E Ballans Fairfield College 1st xi
D Cox West Coast Eagles
AB de Villiers Chesney Champions
J Frylinck North Cunnett CC
A Gaskell TheBezBrigade
G Morcom Mekerz Tanks
M Raath Almost
J Rhodes Schweddy Balls
M Sewart Snickets II CC

Bowlers
W Colreavy Sgt Peppers
J Cormack Budgewoi bulldogs
J Kennedy Jared's XI
D Lambrechts Budgewoi Puppies
C Muncher Middle Stump Lubricators
Q Oshine Lincolnshire ccc
Z van der Sander Wools Wanderers
D van Vollenhoven Tobago Saucers
I Xakwe Quad

Thanks to everyone for your players preparations. The tour is being held in Pakistan on uneven, hard and sticky wickets.

[boscorp]

We have a very difficult tour ahead of us. Pakistan is our only rival that we have had more wins than losses against. We play them first match on an uneven wicket. They are riding high from a successful T20 tour and with their current form I expect they will put on a good show against us. We have a good strong competitive squad and are looking forwards to an exciting week of cricket. All matches starting at 5.