When: 7th May, 2023

Where: Ekeberg 3

Innings 1: Aliens CC 191/2 (25)

Innings 2: Helsfyr CC 184/4 (25)

Result: Aliens CC won by 7 runs

After fifteen players requested a place in our opening match – a dress rehearsal against Helsfyr – some experienced Aliens selflessly withdrew to allow newer members a chance to roll the arm over following a long winter. We warmly welcomed Pratik and Ranjit to our club.

With 25 overs per side, Aliens batted first. Opening on debut, Pratik retired for 60, Erik at first drop contributed 51, both players scoring at a 120+ strike rate. Dennis hit three sixes in a cameo 34 from 20. With 210+ on the cards, the Helsfyr bowlers tightened up at the death and Aliens finished at a respectable 191 with 2 batsmen dismissed and 4 retired.

Aliens were a bit flat with talk in the field and after a Monty Pythonish skied ball plonked between three players, Arif captured two quick wickets. With solid length bowling in the middle overs, while dismissals were hard to come by the Helsfyr batsmen were held down, Aaron being the standout with an RPO of 5.3. After some loose overs Helsfyr gained the upper hand, however Anshul and Erik bowled superbly at the end restricting them to 184 eventuating in a 7 run win.

Conditions were pleasant and overall the players enjoyed themselves. Aliens must work on keeping their fingers from the margarine tub – the writer of this match report perhaps spilling the most straightforward dolly – in order to win tight matches this season. Overall there was strong commitment in the field. Should team members work on knowing each other better, taking on more fielding practice and building physical fitness, a solid season is on the horizon.