Hawks Level Series 1-1

Scoreboard pressure again proved vital on Saturday in the 2nd match of the Katich Cup in Zagreb. Runs on the board and the build up of pressure were key factors in the Hawks 15 run victory over the Falcons as they levelled the series 1-1 in the process.

Like Ned Ivković did in game 1, Hawks skipper Vivek Sharma won the toss and didn't hesitate to bat. In stark contrast to game 1, it was a solid start from Hawks opening pair Daniel George and Robert Mihaljević, who showed that not losing wickets was key in this form of cricket. They put on 19 in their 4 overs. Hoping to accelerate the run rate, Sharma was next in with Jon Locke. The pair were forced to look for the 1's and 2's as boundries were hard to come by. They were effective nurdling the runs, particularly Locke with his trademark square cut off the wall for the bonus runs, until the loss of 3 wickets in 3 balls in a Paul Mušin over dented the partnership. The pair ended up with 7 from their 4 overs. Adrian Beckett joined Sharma at the crease for the next set of 4 overs. It was almost a carbon copy to the previous partnership. The pair looking solid finding the gaps, bar one cracking shot from Sharma that instead of the gap found umpire Mihaljević's knee flush, were set back with the loss of 3 wickets and they had to settle for adding 11, and not 14, thanks to umpire Mihaljević, to the Hawks total.

With 37 on the board and 4 overs remaining the Falcons were confident of restricting them to a score of around 50. This was not to be as the last pairing of Jasen Butković and Krešo Kekez played astutley in hitting the gaps and not losing a wicket at all in their run a ball partnership taking the score through to 62.

Joe Jurić and Gus Rensburg began the chase for 63 for the Falcons. It was Jurić again who showed his power with some hard hitting, including the only 6 of the match, courtesy of some assistance from the nose of Locke. The pair were impressive in putting on 23 for the opening partnership. Next in were Pero Bošnjak and Mušin. The pair, reading Locke's 'Teesra' well, were steady and looked set to add a further 25 or so to the total until Bošnjak, looking to hit the ball into next week, was skittled. Another run-out saw the pair having to settle for 15 as they took the total through to 38.

Skipper Ivković was next in with Llyod. With Llyod's Jamaican olympic sprint team experience, quick singles were expected by the Falcons camp. It was not to be the case as the screws were put on by the Hawks, particularly Sharma as the pair lost wickets at regular intervals. The pair put on 1 leaving 26 to get for the last pair. To be on track not losing wickets was vital. 4 balls into the 1st over saw probably the most entertaining piece of cricket all game, Ibad Faraqui cracked one straight back over the bowlers head, considering the catching performances in recent weeks, the smart money would have been on it going for 6, Butković at mid off got under it and he saw the ball pop straight out of his hands, luckily, straight up in the air as George came running around from mid on to complete the catch.

It would be the Hawks day as they completed the victory restricting the Falcons to 47 and deservedly taking out game 2 of the best of 7 series.

There has been a change at the top of the Player of the Series table. Butković overtakes Sharma, largely due to Sharma finishing with a negative with the bat. Here is what the table looks like after game 2 (top 5).

PLAYER OF THE SERIES

1. Jasen Butković 41
2. Vivek Sharma 35
3. Joe Jurić 28
4. Daniel George 20
5. Adrian Beckett, Krešo Kekez 15