HAVERFORD, Pa. - Haverford Cricket continued their fall campaign this Sunday against British Officers Cricket Club (BOCC). The Fords sent an unchanged playing XI from their previous match to face off against BOCC. Despite a strong batting performance throughout the order, the Fords fell short, scoring 124/9 in pursuit of BOCC's 198/4.
Once again sent to the field, First Year Mohanish Bajaj would share the new ball with senior Captain Gulesh Shukla. The pair managed to restrict BOCC to just 28 runs off the first five overs, less than one run per ball. As the Fords were unable to make a breakthrough, BOCC's opening batsman settled into their innings and pushed the total to 92 after 12 overs heading into drinks break.
The introduction of junior Captain Samuel Monks would provide just the breakthrough Fords needed. Monks's 3rd delivery induced a poor shot straight into the hands of Samanu Kurra at mid wicket. The very next over, sophomore Eugene Yang would get his maiden wicket for the college after a sharp catch by first year Sidd Phatak sent the batsman away for just one run.
The multi-talented Bajaj would be brought back on to bowl his loopy leg spin in the 18th over, and the Fords would receive their final two wickets from him. His first came from an unreadable delivery, which would clean bowl the batsman. His second would come four overs later, when his deceptive bowling caused the bastman to loft the ball near mid on. Always with a flair for the dramatic, Shukla made a one handed grab while diving backward in one of the best pieces of fielding for the weekend. Despite the late wickets, loose extras and lower order power hitting saw BOCC recover to an impressive total of 198 runs after their 25 overs.
The Fords would open their run chase with Monks alongside senior Simon Babb. Monks would prove this innings stalwart, playing a steady and consistent innings while wickets fell at the other end. A sharp catch saw Babb dismissed for a duck off the second delivery of the game, while Bajaj was sent in at three lasting into the fifth over before another sharp catch would see him dismissed for four off 12. Phatak would have his breakout innings with the bat. His steady 18 off 25 showed an appropriate mix of tempered shots with quick ones and two to stabilize the innings while supporting Monks at the other end. The two would put up a 42 run stand before Phatak would be dismissed.
In at five was Monks's co-captain Shukla. Having scored 60 off the first 14 overs, Shukla recognized the 'Fords needed a careful but quick-scoring innings to remain competitive. Shukla showed his intent immediately, scoring consecutive 4s off his first two deliveries. Shukla's careful shot selection saw him reach his half century in just 26 deliveries, Shukla's second half century for the college. Shukla would be stumped shortly after reaching his 50, ending his innings with 52 off 28 including 5 fours and 1 six.
While wicket fell at the other end, Monks would continue his steady innings until the 23rd over. After getting stumped, Monks would depart for 31 off 52 deliveries leaving the 'Fords at 115-7. The final resistance provided by the Fords was in the form of sophomore Rebecca Stern, who saw off 12 deliveries for her singular run, ensuring the Fords would see the innings through to the end, finishing with 124-9, 74 runs short of a winning total.
Despite two tough losses, the Fords will be encouraged by outstanding batting performances by Shukla and Monks, as well as the steady support the tail end has provided thus far. The Fords will expect to be competitive against any team the face, provided they limit their loose deliveries and continue to build on their in form batting.