SM 50 - Saturday 29th May at Ruskeasuo
SKK 162 all out in 42.4 overs
Helsinki CC 165-3 in 27.2 overs

To be fair SKK have had stronger batting line-ups on paper in the past, yet on a cool and cloudy Saturday morning at Ruskeasuo there was no denying that this SKK team wanted to have a crack at a strong Helsinki line-up full of FCA national team stars.  After winning the second coin toss as captain, I elected to bat and since no team in SM50 in 2010 has yet batted out their full 50 overs the challenge was laid out to the SKK lads to step up and bat out the full over allocation.

A new SKK SM50 combination of Madhu and Simon (Dodgy) kicked off proceedings and as they started the rain did too. The umpires, batsmen and fielders unperturbed by the showers, continued, but for Madhu and Dodgy, it was like they had been opening together for years as both saw off Helsinki's new ball combination with relative ease, let the cricket do some talking to some of the chirpier Helsinki fielders, and were untroubled even by the rain by the 10th over with 39 on the board.  Unfortunately a freakish combination of events had Madhu (26 off 30) run out. Madhu straight drove a ball that ricotched off Dodgy's retreating bat at the non-striker's end and bounced away to a diving mid-off. Madhu setting off for a single was turned back by Dodgy, who was under the assupmtion that you don't go for runs once the ball hits you. In the confusion, the diving Zaki at mid-off took the ball cleanly and from the ground threw straight to the keeper with a returning Madhu out by metres. The rain by this stage had been quite steady and I was lucky to stay upright let alone survive the remaining two skidding deliveries from Amin's over, which convinced me to ask the umpires that we leave the field.  Covers (and car) went on the pitch and we returned to the clubhouse and cafe to see off the rain.  After an hour, though the sun had returned to the skies and it was time to get back on with a (then) rain reduced 47 overs match.  Dodgy and I returned and had put on another 32 to take us to 71 after 19 overs, before he fell to Bhaskar slower ball that had him trapped in front for a steady and patient 25 (off 57).  Rajesh and I then continued to negotiate Oba's ripping leggies and Vicky's nagging seamers to take the total to 114 in the 27th.  As Rajesh and I felt more comfortable at the crease we had at least a 200 plus score in our sights until I (the 3rd wicket) fell, also to a sucker punch slower ball from Bhaskar unconvincingly prodded to a diving Vicky at cover for 35 (off 50).  Sushil joined Rajesh and took the score to 129 for 3 in the 33 over before rain once again intervened. This time, however, the game was only delayed by 20 minutes, but it had now reduced the overs to 44 - which still gave us a target of 200 as a reasonable mark.  Yet shortly after the resumption in the 36th over, Rajesh was unfortunately run out in a mix-up that left Rajesh stranded at the non-strikers end for a well-compiled 20 (off 46).  This sparked a collapse with two more wickets falling in the over from Oba. Sushil was bowled by beautifully flighted full delivery (8 off 29), and after being slapped for 4 by Jon, Oba took his revenge with his trademark quicker ball through the big Aussie's defence. Two overs later Sebastian also succumbed to Oba struck in front for 1 and SKK were reeling in the 38th at 7-145.  In combination with Yathu, Janne (12 off 18 balls) added some lusty blows of his own to edge to score up to 158 in the 41st before he was bowled by Bhaskar trying to regain the strike for the next over. The tail admirably wagged, but both Yathu (8) and Lucky (0) were caught trying to hit out in the final overs and SKK were all out for 162 in the 43rd over.

A short lunch was taken, and SKK required wickets.  Sebastian almost beat his previous effort against FPC with the first ball of his over as Zaki shouldered arms to an awesome inswinger that struck him in front, yet a little high, as the umpire resisted SKK's vociferous appeal. The next ball was slashed over gully's head and with these two deliveries, it appeared that perhaps lacky luck wasn't going to be on our side. Like Seb, I had beaten the bat a few times, but without luck, couldn't buy a wicket, and to be fair we bowled far too many loose deliveries between us. Helsinki were getting away to a flyer, before a bowling change with Madhu and Jon at second change helped us back into the match.  Zaki had skied one from Jon L's first over to cover point, where Sushil took the most extraordinary catch running and diving backwards to take the catch behind his head, while still holding onto it as he slammed into the ground (it was a classic and courageous effort from the young lad).  Within the next three overs, however, Madhu picked up the second wicket as Jon L. took spectacular one-handed catch at mid-on.  The circumstances rather ironic as Madhu had put down a regulation chance at mid-on from Jon L's previous over (I think Madhu owes Jon L. a beer at the Aussie).  Madhu also chipped in to claim the third wicket as Dodgy also took a nice catch at mid-off and SKK were clambering back into the game as Helsinki slumped to 3-80 off about 15 overs.  Rajesh and Dodgy came on as Zahid and Vicky were starting to settle, yet they batted extremely well to the drinks break hitting the bad balls to the boundary, running singles and lifting Helsinki back into pole at drinks in the 22nd taking the score to around 115.  After the drinks SKK required quick wickets, so Seb and Madhu came back on with an attacking off-side field to try and force a wicket, however both Vicky and Zahid saw them off to the end as Helsinki passed our total in the 27th over without so much as a flashing blade here and there.

It was a disappointing finish for SKK, but ultimately we didn't have a big enough total to defend and our bowling was a little poor as went pushed to take wickets. Although I was happy with the batting since we had a few top order partnerships, the down side was that the top 4 made starts, but none of us went on with it and then the lower order collapsed. Our fielding was fantastic with lots of energy and effort, but our bowling, except for Madhu and Jon L. lacked penetration and needed wickets.  It is only the third match of the season, but lets hope we can get back our winning ways against Vaasa in Tampere in two weeks time.