This was the first game of the season at Fontana field after the center pitches were relayed this winter. As the weather was nice, with sun shining and cool breeze blowing, Citrus won the toss and chose to bat. With star studded Citrus batting line up the stage was set to have a big score, however, pitch turned out to be disappointing, under prepared and with low and slow bounce. We lost both openers pretty early in the game and party was over for Citrus team quickly. We were in need of a partnership. Saad, who just came from Pakistan after scoring back to back hundreds playing First Class cricket for WAPDA, took control of the innings and when Salman joined him on the crease, some brilliant cricket was seen. Both players played with caution but stroking the ball often enough to keep the score board ticking. While Saad‘s innings was a crafty one, Salman gave him good support on a pitch which was nothing like a typical Fontana pitch. A partnership of 80 runs was significant under these conditions. Later on Elmore and Fahim Khan, played some magnificent shots during the batting power play and were able to take the total to a challenging 181.

2nd innings started with a wake up call for Pasadena 1. Salman bowled with fiery pace and extreme accuracy. Got two wickets on the first two balls and a third wicket in the next over, missing a hatrick. Elmore opened the bowling from other end and the with the pace he has, batsmen were unable to see the ball. Most of his deliveries either hit the pads or just flew by the batsmen. Citrus has a very deep pace attack and when we saw a partnership building, the captain tossed the ball to Marcus, who did not waste any time before he took three wickets quickly. His bowling spell was mesmerizing and he penetrated through middle order with surgical precision. Abhi also bowled brilliantly and rattled the stumps of Noor Ali, who was the only batsman able to touch the ball with the bat intentionally. Over all Pasadena team was no match to Citrus team. Every pasadena batsman was out without the ball hitting the bat. Pasadena bowlers got some good help from pitch and bowled well. We will be working hard to improve the pitch for our next games. Good luck to Pasadena for their next game. They are building this team and have some promising players on their team.