Bowling with the Wide Boys
Turku CC's Paul Hayes reports on Finland's first ever indoor tournament in Turku, 15 February
It's the last ball of the day. You are the batsman. You need four runs to win. It's the final you dream of: tense, exciting, the balance of play swinging one way then the other. The bowler runs in. The ball fires from his hand. You connectÖ
The perfect last ball scenario for a perfect day.
It was cricket but not as you know it. Eight-a-side, five overs per innings, four extras called for a wide or no-ball, the temperature minus 15 degrees Celsius at the close of play. Thankfully that was outside!
Earlier, much earlier, inside a sports hall, a Flicx wicket was laid on the astroturf of a full-size football pitch. Overlooking the pitch in the stands a "pavilion"was formed and play began: Turku vs. SKK ladies.
The ladies played well, but a lack of experience meant that the odds were stacked against them. Turku won through and also gave a first over to their new Finn, Timo. Turku's other players came from Afganistan, Australia, England, Iran and South Africa and showed The UN how to create a harmonious working relationship but little else!
For the other teams the event was either deadly serious, a fun day out, a chance to gain experience, or a combination of the above. No matter what, male and female, ex-pat and Finnish native teams went to the wicket on equal terms.
urku's next match nearly provided the day's first upset. Turku's captain and Finnish international bowled wide after wide to help The Men's Thinking Society (MTS = a team of Finns with 2 years cricket experience) rack up 78 runs. In the Turku reply the idea of hammering the ball to the boundary was forgotten and 40 runs were left to find off the last 2 overs. Cometh the hour, cometh the big Aussie - Stephen Viola saw a couple of ugly faces in the crowd and took aim. The pavilion crowd ducked as ball after ball bulleted their way. Shrieks emitted from those not aware of the dangers of cricket - the sixes saved Turku's blushes!
As the day wore on it became clear that the inexperienced couldn't handle the swing of the indoor Burley Balls. Wide upon wide was called, as overs stretched to 13 deliveries and totals over 140 from 5 overs were established. Not all was loose though. The best game of the group section saw two experienced league teams: Vantaa vs. Stadi. Accurate bowling, fine stroke play, big hitting, disputed decisions and dramatic run outs held the crowd transfixed.
Players new to cricket also shone and produced drama and spectacle. The Finns of MTS sent the ball past the bat too often for the ex-pats' liking. The Ladies team jumped for joy as they took wickets off the ex-pats of Tampere. Their wicketkeeper's (Liisa Holopainen) stunning, one handed catch, high and right whilst standing up to a spin bowler was worthy of any stage. Best of all was Juha Harjunp?? of the Finnish Naval Academy's team outwitting the Vantaa bowlers. He constantly switched his stance from left to right forcing Vantaa to lose their line and give away wides. When they didn't give wides he hit them for four and six around the pitch. The hall rose as one to chant "Juha! Juha! Juha!". Then to everyone's disbelief the umpire gave him out lbw. Nevermind we thought, Vantaa had been humbled. More importantly Juha's innings created a positive atmosphere that stayed until the last ball.
In the last match of the group section (and semi final decider) Espoo played their best game but narrowly lost to Stadi who went on to play Tampere.
In the first semi Turku played Vantaa. The bounce and spin of the ball off the astro turf gifted Vantaa some precious fours. Turku tried to hit equally big but failed. You know it's not your day when you are called in to bat requiring 30 runs from 9 balls. Even worse if you haven't batted all day - such was my situation! The first ball I faced I tried to hook. The ball rose like a rocket off the edge, spun back centimetres below the roof and landed on the spot where I'd been stood - I was off the mark with a single! Sadly I didn't add to it and Vantaa won easily. The season can only get better.
Tampere vs Stadi proved to be a classic. Finnish international and Stadi team captain bowled 7 wides in the opening over and helped Tampere to 95. Then we saw the best innings of the day as Julian Roach of Stadi took advantage of nervous Tampere bowling. Still 8 runs were needed from three balls - only two balls were needed. Julian's 59 was the highest total of the day.
Then at 9 p.m. the final. Vantaa batted first and their improvised stroke play brought 75 runs. It should have been more but a shot that hit the roof was called dead ball when it should have been six. All eyes on the pitch and Stadi made a solid start. Then Jiyantha bowled the best over of the day. It brought two wickets and gave little away. The third over was also tight and left 37 runs to be scored off two overs. A disputed wide was called and extra runs were added. The runs started to flow until 8 were needed off two. A four was hit leaving the last ball scenario; four off oneÖ
You are the bowlerÖ a good ball and you win the game. You run in, see where the batsmen's feet are moving. You think yorker and pitch the ballÖ The batsman connects, but only just. The ball traps under his bat and spins away wide. You chase it down and only a single is taken.
Ahmed of Vantaa bowled that last ball and then celebrated like he'd won the World Cup.
A dramatic end to a great day. With widespread local media presence and excellent indigenous Finn participation all day long, the tournament was another great step forward in Finnish cricket development.