Hurdle 1, cleared. DB smashes, TB foxes, and we are into Qualifier 2
By MI New York Media
The big hour, the big game, and we have just stepped it all up, so very efficient, so very seamlessly. The MI Family winning mentality was on display big time at Dallas, and it was a delicious treat. With our usual skipper Polly injured, Nicky P took up the mantle, shrewdly shuffled the bowling around, and strangled. From DB to TB, it was time to paint the Grand Prarie in Blue and Gold!
Top Bowling, TB
They say champions just crave the big stage. They say champions know to identify the big moments. Well, ask Trent Boult. Even among champions, he is in the peak stage. Defending a there-and-there-abouts total of 141, he was on the money right from the beginning, trapping Matthew Short LBW in his second over. The turning point though was the foxing of the dangerous-looking Glenn Phillips off a slower delivery to break Washington’s back, before coming back, and making sure he did, cleaning up Marco Jansen and Akeal Hossain, both off brilliant catches from David Weise, killing all possibilities of a scare.
The rise and the rise of Nosh and his mystery
Gous c Tim David b Nosthush Kenjige 24(25). Mukhtar Ahmed run out (Nosthush Kenjige) 19(19). Pienaar lbw b Nosthush Kenjige 4(4). In a span of three overs, our man produced a slower delivery that a set-Gous misread, an absolutely stunning direct hit from backward point, and a dead-straight arm ball to pin Pienaar plumb. If Freedom thought they’d seen out the danger in Boult, ah, well, they were in for a shock!
USA, take a look at the no-look striking-machine
Let’s rewind a slight bit. MI New York were in a spot of bother 41/3 in the tenth over. Dewald Brevis, back in the XI, and back in the middle-order, took his time at the start, getting his eye in with 15 runs off his first 16 balls. His first signs of cutting loose came in the 12th over with a four and a six off Moises Henriques. The bugle was sounded. A six came off each of the next four overs, and with Tim David giving him good company, the tables had turned. The momentum was ours.
Woohoo. Let’s say it and say it together: WE ARE INTO THE SECOND QUALIFIER. And while we wait for the next few hours to see the result of the first qualifier and who we face, let’s celebrate quickly, for we need to put everything behind us and gear up to take the ground in just under 24 hours!
