Blues win one, lose two in Delhi
Monday 11 January 2010
The Blues got their Indian tour off to a winning start last Thursday with a convincing 75-runs victory over the British High Commission's XI. In a total of 175-4, local man Ananya Sen smashed 73 not out from 40 balls, while Ed Pearson provided excellent support with an unbeaten forty.
With the ball, Marc Rosenberg took four wickets, Michael Taylor three, and Phil Ashton two as the hosts were restricted to 100-9 from their allotted overs.
Next was a shortened, 20-over match against Delhi U-19s who, choosing to field, tied Cambridge down to a well below-par 114, the last wicket falling with two balls unused. Only Marc Rosenberg, with 30, got on top of the home attack.
In the field, the Blues put in a valiant effort and the Delhi batsmen had to wait until the last ball of the penultimate over to reach their target. There were two wickets for both Matt Cook and Rosenberg, but with too few runs to play with Cambridge were always going to struggle.
The Blues's last match in Delhi was at the prestigious Roshanara CC, where - batting first - Cambridge totalled 205-6 in 40 overs. Ed Pearson top-scored with 45, Phil Ashton made a run-a-ball 43, captain Akbar Ansari contributed 37, and Fred Owen - recently arrived from London - looked in good touch for his unbeaten 33.
Alas, 205 was not enough as the Roshanara top three got off to a flier. Tight bowling in the middle overs from Cook and Taylor brought Cambridge back into the match, but with Roshanara needing 71 from 9 overs and with wickets and a power play in hand, their victory was eventually assured.
Tomorrow, the Blues - ravaged by illness - take on Bombay University. We also apologise for the lack of daily updates: internet connectivity has been scarce and the days long.
