Kuldeep gets DAFS 3s over the Hedge
10th June 2023 @ Inverleith Artificial
Murrayfield DAFS 3s 202-9 (39.3 overs)
N Pednekar 69, J Beverley 38, K Hedge 27* M Kerr 4-36
beat
Stewart’s Melville 3s 199-9 (40 overs)
M Balmford 78, J Cain 45, N Pednekar 3-48 (including Hat-trick)
by 1 Wicket
Murrayfield DAFS 3s made the short trip up to Inverleith Park amid a glorious sunny afternoon along side the usual strong costal winds to play Stewart Melville’s 3s. With 5 wins from 5, SM 3s looked the favourite and the M DAFS 3s knew they would have to play well in all areas of the game to come away with a win. Captain Kumar lost the toss and Murrayfield were asked to bowl.
Stewart Melville’s opening pair quickly settled and began a strong opening partnership. Neither Beverly nor Wilson-Barlow were able to break the partnership, the only real chance coming when Kumar dropped a catch off Wilson-Barlow at mid-off.
Donald and Pednekar were the first bowling changes, and the change brought wickets. Pednekar finally broke the opening partnership as Cain tried to clear the infield, only to find Mohammed to take the catch at mid-on (68-1). Campbell came and was quickly making his way back to the pavilion and Pednekar removed him first ball, lovely yorker delivery hitting off-stump (68-2). In came Stewart Melville 3s captain Sukumar to face the hat-trick bowl. Pednekar stepped up and did what any bowler should do with a hat-trick bowl, tossed it up full and straight. It hit Sukumar in the pad dead in front and the umpire with the easiest call he’ll ever have to make raised his finger. Pednekar had turned the game around with 3 balls (68-3). Shortly after Donald picked up the 4th wicket, bowling SM’s Tait for 0 (77-4). Donald thought he had a fifth the very next ball, caught behind, for a potential second hattrick, but unfortunately the umpire didn’t agree despite everyone being convinced.
Wallace went on to make a recovery with opening batsman Balmford as they put on 56 run partnership for the 5th wicket. He was eventually dismissed Mohammed, cleaned bowled (133-5). Shortly after, Mohammed added to his bowling wicket and catch, by running out Pilley with a fantastic direct hit (133-6). The young tail of Stewart Melville kept the scoring ticking while wickets also began to fall. Percy-Robb was out for 10, caught by Wilson-Barlow at point and bowled by Roogi (148-7). Kerr was out for 9, caught by Donald off the bowling of Beverely who had come back from his opening spell (165-8). Balmford was finally dismissed after 37.3 overs. Dismissed by Beverely and caught behind by Hedge (185-9). Wrench and Sheram saw off the innings for Stewart Melville, finishing on 199-9 after their 40 overs. 200 needed at exactly 5 runs an over to win.
Pednekar and Pujari opened the innings up for Murrayfield. After Pednekar has scored a flurry of 4s, Pujari was dismissed for 3. Caught at slip Murrayfield had lost their 1st wicket (27-1). They were swiftly 2 down as Meenakshisundaram was out first ball. Caught behind (28-2). Mohammed came in and played a few shots scoring quickly, but was dismissed for 13 as Murrayfield were now (45-3). Kumar came in but fell shortly after as the score was now (49-4).
Beverley came in and provided some stability with some nice scoring as him and Pednekar got to drinks without losing any more wickets. They put on a partnership of 54 before Pednekar was finally dismissed for 63. Hat-trick and 63 runs scored with the bat, not a day Pednekar will forget soon (103-5). Matthew came in and continued to tick the scoring along. Beverly was then dismissed for 38, caught at covers (131-6). Donald came in and held up one end while Matthew continued to score runs. Donald was eventually dismissed for 3 leaving Murrayfield (156-7). Hedge joined Matthew at the crease, but when Matthew fell for 20 (166-8), it looked like the remaining 34 runs required might just be out of Murrayfield’s reach.
Roogi came and supported Hedge tremendously, and with 7 balls remaining the pair had managed to get M DAFS to 198, requiring just 2 runs to win what had been an unlikely win. With the last bowl of the penultimate over, Roogi was dismissed for 8 leaving Murrayfield in touching distance of the finish line. 6 balls left, 2 runs to win and one wicket left, it was all or nothing for Kuldeep Hedge. Wallace came on to bowl the final over. The first two deliveries were play and missed from Hedge, which just added to the mounting pressure. With the 3rd bowl of the over, Hedge middled a lovely drive over extra cover, passed the fielders for 4 runs. Murrayfield had won with 1 wicket and 3 balls to spare. Hedge finishing the game with 27 off just 18 deliveries, and getting Murrayfield DAFS 3rd win of the season.