Wombats Start Strong but Fade Under Scorching Fuji Sun

by Ieuan Hames

With semi-final qualification on the line, the Wombats arrived at the Fuji International Cricket Ground under a blistering 35°C heat and with several regulars missing. Captain Ali won the toss and elected to bat, hoping to post a big score and put the table-topping Falcons under pressure following their recent loss against The Quashers.

The ever-reliable Ali and Masaki gave the Wombats a steady start, weathering the shine off the new ball to reach 38, aided by a flurry of wides from the Falcons’ bowlers. Masaki’s promising knock ended when he chopped on, before Kamran added some flair with crisp boundaries from ball one. With Ali and Kamran falling in quick succession either side of drinks, the Falcons could taste blood.

Promising start, faltering finish.

Kavin entered the crease, following his big hitting 40 in the previous JCL T20 game, hopes were high, with Joe requested to leave the scoring tent. However, Kavin fell for 1 and the Wombats feared a collapse. This left Hamza to steady the innings alongside debutant Vijaya. In a difficult phase of the innings, Vijaya impressed with his determination, grafting hard to help build a partnership and allowing Hamza the freedom to play his shots, including a powerful six over cow corner.

Mario Grant, who had endured a gruelling five-hour journey to Fuji, was controversially run out despite looking safely home, though he did register his first runs for the club — at the third time of asking, which was met with joy from the partizan scoring tent. Just as Ali began to see hope in his batting line-up, he warned that Hamza should… “watch out for the yorker” — seconds before Hamza’s middle stump was sent cartwheeling.

With the lower order exposed, Guy Dormer contributed a typically busy innings, but partners fell around him. Ieuan Hames’ much-admired imported helmet could not save him from a golden duck, while Joe Lewis maintained the Welsh tradition of batting woes with a duck of his own. At the other end, Robb “The Block” Zloc remained unbeaten and looked comfortable at the crease — if only someone had been able to stick with him. The Wombats eventually limped to 117 all out, failing to see out their 40 overs.

A strong start had the Wombats dreaming!

Despite the modest total, the Wombats came out with fire in the field. Joe Lewis struck early, declaring “I haven’t felt this good in years!” and Kamran was bowling a tight line, causing trouble for the top order. With the score at 38-3, the pressure mounted on the Falcons’ top order and The Wombats dared to dream. Mario and Kavin bowled with accuracy and control, keeping the scoring in check, while Guy Dormer patrolled the outfield, cutting off singles. Riding the high of his strong batting innings, Hamza chased every ball, he sensed an opportunity for glory one final time to cut off another boundary but instead cut the legs from Mario as he sent him flying.

Ultimately, the Falcons’ batting proved too strong as they chased down the target comfortably in 22 overs, leaving the Wombats reflecting on what might have been after such a promising start.

It was a disappointing day under the blazing Fuji sun, but the Wombats remain in the hunt for the semi-finals. Their fate now hinges on a must-win clash against the Tokyo Titans on September 13th, where victory will be the only acceptable outcome.