CHAPTER 8 SEMI FINAL PART 2

In the seventh over, the captain again handed me the ball for break the momentum of the opponent team . I set the feild according to my preference then I stepped up to bowl.

First Delivery :

I started with a good-length ball outside off-stump. The batsman defended it cautiously, and the ball rolled to point. No run.

**Score:** 0 runs off the ball.

Second Delivery :

I bowled a slower ball, pitching on middle and leg. The batsman tried to flick it but missed, and the ball hit the pads. A loud appeal for LBW was turned down, and the batsmen scrambled for a leg bye.

**Score:** 1 run (leg bye).

Third Delivery :

I went for a fuller delivery outside off. The batsman drove it firmly but straight to cover, where the fielder stopped it cleanly. No run.

**Score:** 0 runs off the ball.

Fourth Delivery :

I bowled a short-pitched ball, aiming at the body. The batsman pulled it awkwardly, and the ball landed in no man's land safely at square leg for a single.

**Score:** 1 run.

Fifth Delivery :

I attempted a yorker, but it slipped out of my hand and turned into a full toss. The batsman capitalized on the mistake, smashing it straight down the ground for a boundary.

**Score:** 4 runs.

Sixth Delivery :

I corrected myself and bowled a wide yorker outside off-stump. The batsman stretched to reach it but missed, and the ball went straight to the wicketkeeper. Dot ball.

**Score:** 0 runs.

Seventh Over Summary:

Runs conceded: 6

Wickets taken: 0

**Commentator 1:** "A mixed over from the bowler! The attempted yorker that turned into a full toss cost him four runs, but he came back well with a perfect wide yorker to finish the over.

**Commentator 2:** "Yes, that full toss was a gift to the batsman, but credit to the bowler for bouncing back with a dot ball. The wide yorker was executed brilliantly, and it shows his ability to adapt under pressure."

Despite the costly full toss, I was determined to learn from the mistake and focus on the next over. The wide yorker at the end gave me confidence, and I knew I had to stay disciplined to keep the opposition in check.

I didn't get a wicket in my second over, but I managed to control the flow of runs effectively. Although I couldn't break the partnership but My focus was on building pressure.

In the eighth over of our team's innings, we managed to take a wicket while conceding only 7 runs. This breakthrough came as a result of the pressure I built in my previous over, where I gave away just 6 runs by maintaining a tight line and length. The consistent pressure forced the batsman from the opponent team, Little Boys Youth Club, to take an unnecessary risk. He stepped out of the crease, missed the ball completely, and our wicketkeeper collect it and execute a sharp stumping, dismissing the batsman. This wicket shifted the momentum in our favor.

In the ninth over, the captain handed me the ball for my final spell. I knew this was a crucial moment in the game.

First Delivery:

I started with a good-length ball outside off-stump. The batsman attempted to defend but missed it completely, and the keeper collected it cleanly. No run.

**Score:** 0 runs off the ball.

Second Delivery:

I bowled a fuller delivery on middle and leg. The batsman flicked it towards mid-on, where the fielder misfielded, allowing the batsmen to take two runs, including an extra run due to the error.

**Score:** 2 runs off the ball (1 extra run due to misfield).

Third Delivery:

I pitched the ball slightly short, and the batsman pulled it towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder there dropped a straightforward catch, and the batsmen ran two runs. I stopped my celebration midway as the catch was spilled. The batsman gave me a mocking smile and walked casually to the other end, which only fueled my determination.

**Score:** 2 runs off the ball.

Fourth Delivery:

I decided to respond with a perfect yorker. The ball sneaked under the bat and crashed into the stumps, sending the bails flying. I gave the batsman the same mocking smile as he walked back to the pavilion and then joined my teammates to celebrate the wicket.

**Score:** 0 runs off the ball, 1 wicket.

Fifth Delivery:

I tried a short ball this time, but the new batsman was quick to adjust and cut it towards fine leg for a single.

**Score:** 1 run off the ball.

Sixth Delivery:

I aimed for a wide yorker, and this time, the batsman completely missed the ball as it swung away sharply. The keeper collected it cleanly behind the stumps. No run.

**Score:** 0 runs off the ball.

**Over Summary:**

I took 1 wicket and conceded 5 runs in the over. Despite the dropped catch and a misfield, I was pleased with the breakthrough and the way I handled the pressure. The mocking smile from the batsman only made my celebration sweeter when I knocked his stumps over. The team's morale remained high, and we continued to dominate the game. It was a satisfying over, and I felt proud of my contribution to the team's success.

In the last over of the first innings, the bowler took 1 wicket and conceded 10 runs. Despite a boundary off the second delivery, a well-disguised slower ball on the fourth delivery led to a mistimed shot and a catch at mid-off. The wicket broke the opposition's momentum, and the bowler maintained composure to limit the damage. It was a crucial over that kept the target manageable and set a positive tone for the chase.

Match summary:

The second semi-final was played between Team 1 and Little Boys Youth Club. Team 1 won the toss and choose to bowl first. Little Boys Youth Club started well in the powerplay, scoring freely and building a decent foundation. However, after the powerplay, they lost their momentum and struggled to maintain the early momentum. Team 1's bowlers capitalized on this, delivering a disciplined performance with tight lines and taking crucial wickets at regular intervals. In the final few overs, Team 1's bowlers were exceptional, restricting the opposition to a modest total of 98/6 in 10 overs.

**Commentators' Discussion:**

**Commentator 1:** "What a turnaround we've seen here! The bowler was brought in during the fourth over, and despite conceding a boundary off the first ball, he's completely changed the game with two quick wickets. That slower ball to break the partnership was pure class."

**Commentator 2:** "Absolutely! And let's not forget the yorker in the ninth over—that was a beauty. The batsman had no clue, and the bowler's reaction said it all. He's been the standout performer today, keeping his cool under pressure."

**Commentator 1:** "True, but credit to the captain and wicket keeper as well. That stumping in the eighth over was sharp, and it came at a crucial time. The wicketkeeper didn't miss that one!"

**Commentator 2:** "Yes, though they did drop a catch earlier, which could've been costly. But the bowler didn't let that affect him. He bounced back brilliantly, and that's the sign of a great player."

**Commentator 1:** "Absolutely. And now, with the opposition restricted to a manageable total, the chase should be interesting. The pressure is on the batting side to finish strong, but this bowling performance has set the tone for a thrilling second innings."

**Commentator 2:** "I've been really impressed by the performances of two players in this match so far. First, Suresh Kumar, the opener from Little Boys Youth Club, played a brilliant innings of 52 runs off just 29 balls. His aggressive yet composed batting laid a solid foundation for his team. On the other hand, Arjun Rajput from Team 1 has been outstanding with the ball, giving away just 18 runs and picking up 3 crucial wickets in his 3 overs.

**Commentator 1:** "Absolutely, I agree with you! And let's not forget that spicy moment in Arjun's last spell. Suresh gave him a cheeky smile after his team dropped a catch, but Arjun had the last laugh, returning the smile after taking Suresh's wicket. What a moment! This match has had everything—rivalry, drama, and some top-quality cricket. It's been an absolute treat to watch!"

**Commentator 2:** "Couldn't agree more. Let's see if the batsmen can handle the pressure as well as this bowler did. It's been a fantastic contest so far!!

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