CCC Vs. São Paulo: 28-29 September 2013

After relaunching the interstate rivalry back in 2012 when, on home turf, São Paulo dished out a little cricketing lesson to the cariocas, the rematch at Itaguai promised to be a much tighter affair. Two days of cricket, three matches, two strong teams and some blazing sunshine. The scene was well and truly set.

Debutant Rich sets about the SP bowling attack

Day one, game one.

Having won the toss, Matt Featherstone’s side went into bat first, with the hare-and-tortoise combination of Gregor and the Vampire opening up for the visitors. A couple of Aussie flourishes notwithstanding, Lokesh and Scratchit contained the openers well, and they had to work hard to get to 75 from their first ten overs. The run rate increased little when Featherstone arrived at the crease, rarely finding the middle of his suspiciously oversized bat, and he was dropped twice and nearly saw the ball trundle onto his own wicket before being caught by his opposite number. Some loose stuff at the death saw SP reach a solid 170 from their 20 overs. Still, eminently chase-able.

Things didn’t get off to a great start for the CCC with openers Honest and Vim falling early on, but debutant Rich and fellow biscuit-lover Rob soon settled into the familiar rhythm of their schooldays. With the run rate creeping up nicely it was a decisive couple of overs that saw Wallace caught on the boundary and Rich play onto his own stumps in the middle of a hardcore nurdle. The Prez steadied the ship with some cultured stroking but once he fell the writing – that had looked so positive with four overs left and 40-odd to get – was very much scrawled all over the wall with not a thought for penmanship. The CCC fell to 135 all out just as things looked like getting interesting. 1-0 São Pow.

over to JP for match 2…

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Day one, game two.

After filling their bellies with the finest churrasco in the state of RJ, the C.C.C were ready for dessert in the form of a win against SP. The skipper wisely chose to bat to give most of the team a well-needed siesta.

The tempo was slow and steady for the first few overs. Joe Jennings played the anchor role to perfection seeing off the shine of the new ball while the rest of the CCC batsmen showed they had learned from the earlier game and hit some lusty blows against an SP attack trying to multitask between digesting lunch and bowling. With some big shots from Rich and Lokesh, the CCC made a respectable 147 from 20 overs.

Back out to field, the bowling was good and tight, with wickets falling regularly throughout the SP innings. Caisley threatened to get stuck in, as did skipper Featherstone but when they were both sent packing it seemed a formality for CCC to wrap up the match. However, in the fading light and after a long day, some loose balls gave SP hope and it came down to them needing 7 off the last over and CCC needing just one wicket to end the game there and then. Pringle managed to send down a straight one which the umpire had no option but to give LBW to set up the decider on Sunday.

—

over to Luke Norman for game 3…

Cap’n Wallace faces up to the SP attack on a glorious day in Itaguai

Day two, game three.

With the series poised at 1-1 and the Paulistas choosing to spurn Rio’s numerous, if occasionally nefarious charms for the sleepy quiet of Itaguai town, 22 zoned-in, supremely focused athletes gathered on Sunday morning to decide the ancient rivalry. Well, sort of.

The rain fell for the first hour like it was Manchester, Sao Paulo’s sub-continental contingent decided it was a duvet day and the focus in the clubhouse was on slightly less savoury matters than how best to exploit the moisture in the strip…

Suffice to say that it was surprising to his teammates that São Paulo’s Johnny was on such loud and lyrical voice given his abominable nocturnal form.

Happily the rain eventually went home to São Paulo and minds turned back to cricket. CCC skipper Rob generously put the visitors in to bat, allowing half their team to scramble out of bed and into their pads.

The familiar face of SP’s Gregor opened proceedings and stayed familiar for too long – certainly if you sought Lokesh’s opinion. The fiery spearhead of CCC’s attack felt really quite strongly that he had run the Aussie out early on. Not everyone agreed. A 10-minute, healthily attended conference followed before things got back underway, status quo maintained.

Some tight bowling from all five CCC seamers was enthusiastically backed up in the field, despite the odd catch surprisingly hitting the turf. Ultimately, the nagging lengths and consistent appealing weren’t enough to prevent SP posting an above-average 148.

Looking through neutral eyes you might say that CCC were never quite on top of the run rate. Looking through CCC eyes, we were robbed by some nasty luck and freakishly low bounce.

Rahul and Vim set a good pace at the start, with Vim deciding that it wasn’t a day for quick – or indeed slow – singles. Rahul rounded off his fine day with a muscular 26 before CCC’s classy skipper entered the fray. Rob kept the team within sniffing distance despite wickets falling regularly at the other end. With his tail remarkably still up, Johnny was São Paulo’s destroyer-in-chief picking up three quick wickets, including two in two balls.

Vivek and Lokesh let some rockets fly in the last few overs to keep the crowd happy but in the end Ben was a lonely not out as CCC fell 22 runs short.

A hard fought 2-1 defeat – CCC is getting ever closer to breaking the dark city’s much trumpeted dominance. Perhaps the final piece of the jigsaw has been staring us in the face for months… a pre-match training session in Itaguai town next time skipper?

India vs The Rest of the World: 27 April 2013

The sparring captains, Nick Gibson and Vim Akula, in a rare moment of conviviality

The Vim Cup
27 April, 2013. Itaguai, RJ.

The kind of atmosphere normally reserved for an IPL game in Mumbai was conjured up at the home of Rio cricket, Itaguai, in April, as an Indian XI led by Vim Akula took on the Rest of The World, with Nick Gibson at the helm, in a 30-over match that is sure to begin a healthy new ongoing rivalry.

Armed with pots of dahl and not an insignificant amount of saag aloo (to nicely supplement the now-customary gaucho barbecue), strong vocal support and some booming balti-beats (‘Hamma Hamma’ wafted across the field more than once to get the fielders shimmying), the Indians’ tails were up (once their captain had arrived, won the toss and put them in to bat).

Bharath (40) the untested opener soon set about the RoW bowling attack, racking up a run-rate of 8 an over with the kind of ease that got the crowd started and the Indians off to a flyer. If it hadn’t been for Kev, another newcomer who just happened to be in Rio at the time on a cheeky world tour, and his 5-16 haul, the Indian side would have reached their target of 200 a lot sooner. As it was, they cantered beyond that thanks to some big hitting from Vivek in the last couple of overs to finish off a job nicely done by the like of Sesh (53 retired) and Vim (45).

An imposing target set, the RoW were hemmed in early doors with some efficient bowling from Eldho and Rahul and, unable to get the runs flowing, wickets were soon tumbling, forced into questionable shot selection as they struggled for boundaries. Shahjeel (27) steeled the nerves as the wickets fell all around, and a promising partnership with Nick (35) made for an interesting mid-way point at which a serious challenge looked possible. Sadly for them, deadly with the bat, Sesh (4-24) proved likewise with the ball, and despite the efforts of Ed Riley (17) the Indians’ target never looked genuinely under threat.

The trophy was awarded from one captain to a beaming other, and this, as they say, could be the start of something special. Look out India, I don’t think you will have heard the last of this…

Ready for action – the motley crew line up before the game

13 March 2013 – membership launch and club social

This Wednesday, 13 March, the CCC will be hosting a social at the Mango Tree, Rua Prudente de Moraes 594, Ipanema from 7.30pm.

As well as a chance to pay subs for the year (details below) it will provide us with the opportunity to meet new members and discuss the year ahead over a few beers, but all are more than welcome, and we look forward to seeing you all there.
abraços,
CCC

Itaguai Fazenda, home of the CCC

Having waved goodbye to a largely successful, always entertaining first full year of the Carioca Cricket Club’s existence, the start of 2013 feels the right time to be firming up our plans and building on what we have already achieved to further establish the CCC as a club with a bright future both on and off the field.

To that end, the club is inviting past, present and future players keen to keep cricket alive in Rio to support us by becoming members of the club.

Until now, the associated costs inherent in running a club like the CCC (such as the continuing replacement and importation of kit, improvements to our playing facilities etc.) has fallen on the shoulders of a generous few. To avoid this in the future we are introducing an annual membership fee that we hope will ensure the CCC’s ongoing sustainability by enabling us to provide more activities and the best possible environment to play in.

As well as the annual Brazilian National Championships, this year will see us host touring teams (such as Lloyds of London last month), continue to organise regular training sessions, possibly embark on a tour of our own, and, of course, hold regular intra-club games at our home ground in Itaguai, as well as beach cricket sessions in Barra da Tijuca.

In a nutshell, there’s loads of cricket to be played and lots to do, so please show your support by getting behind cricket in Rio.

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Membership of CCC for the 2013 season will cost R$200 and includes:

• – Full use of equipment
• – Regular games organised at Itaguai (approx every 6-7 weeks with a discounted match fee for members of R$50 compared with the new general fee of R$65)
• – Regular training sessions
• – Official CCC T-shirt
• – Regular CCC social events
• – A printed CCC 2013 fixture list

Here’s to a crickety 2013 in Rio!

The CCC.

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Presados Criqueteiros,

Depois de um forte primeiro ano no campo (e fora tambem), o inicio do 2013 parece o tempo certo para firmar a estrutura do nosso clube querido, continuar crescendo, e desenhar um futuro ainda mais forte para o jogo lindo no Rio.

Nesse sentido, o clube esta convidando jogadores do passado, presente e futuro dedicados a manter criquet vivo no Rio para nos apoiar, tornando-se sócios do clube.

Até agora, contamos com contribuições de poucos socios para cobrar os gastos como equipamento (comprar e importar) e a infrastrutura do campo, mas para crescer, temos que compartilhar esse responsibilidade fiscal via uma taxa anual que vai sustentar o CCC.

Alem do Campeonato Nacional, esse ano vamos receber times de fora do pais (como o recente Lloyds of London), continuar treinamento, e, claro, ter mais jogos na casa do criquete carioca, Itaguai, e na praia da Barra da Tijuca. Enfim, muito criquete para jogar, e agora pedimos que voces mostram seu apoio.

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Filiação para 2013 custará R$150 para os Brasileiros e inclui:

• – Uso do equipamento
• – Jogos regulares no Itaguai (+/- 2 em cada 3 mêses com taxa do jogo reduzida de R$65 para R%50)
• – Treinamento organizdo
• – Camisa official do CCC
• – Eventos sociais abertos aos socios e familias
• – Carta de jogos official de 2013

Um otimo ano de criquete para todos!
CCC.

The Rio Twenty20 Tournament 2012

Underway at the new home of Rio cricket in Itaguai

A year ago, the Carioca Cricket Club didn’t exist, but on Friday 2 November they proudly hosted the National Championships of Brazil, welcoming their friends from Distrito Federal (DF), Paraná (PR) and São Paulo (SP). For a cricket player in Brazil, it doesn’t really get any better – a Twenty20 tournament in Rio de Janeiro. Four state teams bristling with talent, a round-robin competition played over a long weekend, held on the outskirts of one of the most spectacular cities in the world. Who could say no?

Staged at the charming São Fernando Polo Club near Itaguai, about sixty kilometres from Ipanema, the tournament brought together players, families and friends to a beautiful new home for cricket. The newly-renovated stand was filled, the pitch (repeatedly) marked out, and the caipirinhas well-iced, and after months of preparation, only the forecast of dodgy weather conditions could stand in the way.

DAY 1, Friday 2 November

RJ v DF

Gloomy skies may have hreatened to delay the beginning of the first match, but as the drizzle held at bay, it was left to the home side to wish it had. Put into bat by a wily Brasilia bunch, the visitors got a good look at how the new Notts roll-out pitch played on the short-cut grass underneath. It turned out to be a good decision. The Rio team, which had easily accounted for DF in June in Curitiba, was itself rolled out for a disappointing 61 runs without getting close to batting through their 20 overs. Only Vivek (14) was to reach double-figures, whilst of the bowlers, Tim Morris (3/15 off 4 overs) and Henrique Dolabella (3/19 off 3) scooped up the wickets with aplomb, Alexandre Miziara (1/17 off 3) and Fábio dela Pace (1/6/2) keeping the pressure on to the death.

In reply, DF had an early scare, losing Vinod first ball, the first of a raft of lbw decisions that would be a talking point over the weekend. The innings was steadied by Paul Davey (20) and Morris (12) which enabled the visitors to reach the target with just five wickets down in the 14th over. Vivek (2/14/3) led the RJ bowlers, all of whom bowled tidily, but, with only 3 runs an over required, there was little to defend.

The men in white

RJ Development XI v DF

In the second match of the day, a friendly with no bearing on the championship, the ever- growing CCC fielded another team which included veterans, novices and those somewhere in between. The game was not that friendly for the DF top order, which crumpled to 4/22 as the development side showed the rest of the CCC how to do it. A modest recovery took the team from the capital to an all-out total of 98 in the 16th over. Vince Bastick (25no), Dolabella (18) and Oliver Ballhatchett (making a welcome 17 in a surprise return to his former team) helped avoid an embarrassing  score.

There were also some excellent bowling performances, most notably Johnny Pringle (3/2/2  – yes, that was 3 wickets for 2 measly runs in his two overs), Ed Riley (4/28/4 in his first match in many a year by his own admission) and Shajeel (3/16/3) with his accurate off-spin.

The RJ Development XI got their innings off to a very good start, making 35 before a wicket fell. Vivek (21) was again in the runs until he punched a low ball to cover. A few more quick wickets fell and the Cariocas were in a bit of trouble at 5/53. But it was the experience of Vim (29) that proved the difference, with good support from Riley (11 no). Reaching 7/102 in the 18th over, the Development XI restored some pride for the CCC with a deserved win.

DAY 2, Saturday 3 November

SP v DF

As the players stretched and warmed up and looked for their boxes and gloves,  clouds again looked down upon the picturesque cricket ground. The captains tossed and SP invited their opponents to bat, presumably for the same reason the DF captain had sent RJ in the previous day.

A sure-fire combination of good bowling and ordinary batting saw a steady file of DF batsmen entering and departing the middle of the field. Your reporter (20) was the only Brasiliense to reach double-figures, while 14 welcome extras helped DF limp to a total of 69. Hamed, the new speedster for the Paulistas, did the early damage (3/9 off 4) and Daniel Lefèvre (3/23/4) cleaned up the unwagging tail.

As he has done many times before, SP and Brazil opener Greigor Caisley set about the total with forceful precision. Had you gone off to make a quick sandwich, you’d have missed most of his 41 runs, while Fasih Uddin (28no) showed his class as  well. SP needed only 8.1 overs to reach 1/73 to take the win and have time for a bit of lunch before their next match. Only Dhanushka Jayamal (1/13/2.1) found a way to take a wicket. A thumping win to SP.

PR v RJ

The Paraná team raced to 0/50 before ABC president Norman Baldwin (23) had his  stumps rearranged and soon after, Hammad Durrani (21) was bowled by Doug Gray. This was the first of five victims for the medium-pacer (5/14/4) and his spell reduced the men from Curitiba to 6/59 in quick time. Good hitting from Munish Sood (19) helped PR post a reasonable total of 96 in 17 overs.

The RJ team were intent on righting the previous day’s batting wrongs infront of the filling arquibancada. While their fans sipped caiparinhas and urged their dogs to not eat the cricket balls, the openers ambled their way to the crease. Captain Rob Wallace was seeing the ball well and reached 51 in fine style before holing out. Gray (12no) and Vim saw RJ home with 2/97 in the 15th over, PR conceding 21 extras which hardly helped their cause.

SP v PR

The Greens of Paraná again batted first in the third fixture of the day. The overcast conditions continued, which seemed to suit players, especially the swing bowlers. Opener Rohit Khemani swung the willow like a pendulum, hitting six fours and four sixes before departing for 66. With inconsistent  support from the other batsmen, PR were all out for 133 in the 18th over. Hamed continued to be SP captain Matt Featherstone’s main weapon, taking 4/10 in 4 overs of precise medium-fast bowling.

The more challenging total did not change the approach of Caisley. He also sent the ball sailing over the boundary four times and rattled off 60 runs in quick time. Featherstone (26 retired hurt) and Warwick Heaney (18no) carried on the brisk scoring until the the 14th over when SP reached 2/136. Mustafa (1/18/3) was the best of the nine PR bowlers used in this innings.

CCC commentator, Sinatra impersonator and rum expert Tobias Hanbury

DAY 3, Sunday 4 November

PR v DF

The sun was threatening to make an appearance as players arrived at 10.00am. With a slim chance of winning the tournament, depending on the result of the second match, the DF openers Davey and Dolabella took guard.  They and three others fell in rapid succession, leaving the inlanders scratching their chins at 5/22. However, a fine partnership by Morris (45 no) and Vinod Kumar (24no) gave a veneer of respectability to the total, 6/121 in 20 overs. Annand (3/18/4) and Jeetu Khemani (2/12/4) bowled tightly and were well supported by the other bowlers and fieldsmen.

Paraná, not to be outdone in the collapse department, were scratching more than their chins at 9/44. The destroyer for DF was Morris (5/20/4), continuing his very good form. Dolabella (3/11/2) maintained his canny ability to pick up wickets, while captain Alexandre Miziara (0/7/4) maintained pressure at his end. Two sharp stumpings by Davey also helped the DF cause.

From what most would acknowledge to be a pretty hopeless position, there emerged what all cricket fans like to see, a 10th wicket rear-guard action.  Annand (28no) and Stephen Greene (17) worked and slogged the ball to all parts of the ground and some parts beyond. The boys from Brasília were feeling queasy and it wasn’t just the effects of the night before. With 10 runs to get in 3 overs, Paraná dared to dream victory was theirs.

But then Greene guided a catch to backward square and PR was denied what would have been a popular victory with the crowd. A Gaucho barbeque with ribs the size of cricket bats was the reward for both teams after an entertaining match.

RJ v SP

This  encounter was billed before the tournament by media commentators and fans alike as the match to decide the champions for 2012. SP, having already despatched DF and PR, needed to win well to make up for their 3rd in Curitiba in June. Rio were also statistically capable of the title, despite their Day 1 loss.

Children paused in their play, the large, brown dog known as Pinga lumbered off to the shade and the announcers’ droll commentary recommenced as the SP openers Caisley and Fasih strode to the crease.  The red leather was soon flying to the boundary and it was Prashant (44) and Fasih (32) who put on a great partnership of 58 in quick time off some loose bowling. Featherstone (22), Johnny Randolph (14) and Heaney (13) carried on to take the total to 7/171, the highest score to date in the tournament. It would have most likely been much more if not for some refreshingly superb catching from the Cariocas. Six of the wickets went to catches, none of them easy and none better than the two taken by Pringle.

With the vocal crowd behind them, the Rio batsmen, requiring 8.6 runs per over, set about reeling in the imposing total. However, it was again the bowler of the tournament, Hamed, who made life uncomfortable for the batsmen. His 1/4 off 4 overs, with Lefèvre (4/17/4) making hay at the other end, reduced the home team to 5/21 after 6 overs. Carioca heads were shaking once again.

Enter Pringle, who gloriously set about the SP attack like a man possessed. Six sixes punctuated his clean-hitting innings of 58, supported by CCC president Nick Gibson (14) and Duncan Wallace (13) as the total raced past the 100 mark. Once Pringle was bowled by Heaney the chase lost momentum and the last wicket fell in the penultimate over – Rio all out for 120. It was a valiant fightback but SP, with their experience and talent, held their nerve. After the early damage by Hamed and Lefèvre, Heaney (2/25/2) and Richard Avery (2/29/3) bought the final wickets with runs to spare.

So it’s another São Paulo engraving on the national T20 Cup. Their unbeaten record here in Rio, combined with an unusual third in Curitiba in June, eqaulled the number of wins by Distrito Federal (2nd in both tournaments). With both teams on 4 wins and 2 losses overall, net run rate showed SP as the clear champions for 2012, while RJ can gain consolation in their winning the first leg in Curitiba.

This tournament was a huge success. Seven matches in three days, a wonderful new venue for Brazilian cricket, a great sporting spirit displayed by all, live commentary, even a trumpeter to add theme music at key moments – this was a real event. Bring on the next one!

CCC Captain Rob Wallace, President Nick Gibson and landlord and friend Abel, along with Brazil captain Matt Featherstone, congratulate the players on a hard-fought weekend

O Globo soap actors get taught a lesson

CCC’s Craig Allison puts actor Daniel Dalcin through his paces

Over the last few weeks, members of the Carioca Cricket Club have been on hand to help Brazilian television network O Globo recreate a 1904 cricket match at their studios in Jacarepagua for forthcoming prime-time soap opera ‘Lado a Lado’.

From recreating century-old equipment to the wording on the scoreboards, the advice has been flowing, but, even more importantly, so have the techniques. The actors, including Thiago Fragoso, Camila Pitanga, Daniel Dalcin, Rafael Cardoso, Lázaro Ramos, Milton Gonçalves, picked up the basics with impressive gusto thanks to the tutelage of CCC members Craig Allison, Rob Wallace, Nick Gibson, Lance Donald, Paul Seiff and Stu Morton.

O Globo’s website ran two stories on their website on the 5 July and again on 11 July, while the Veja site M de Mulher also ran the story, though we suspect the latter’s interest may not have just been the cricket…

The final day of filming, also featuring members of the CCC as extras, will take place in the coming days. The shows themselves are due to air on the daily 6pm novela, that attracts tens of millions of viewers every episode, later in the year.

One of three stories released by O Globo on 21 July