Carlos Nunes, missing some big names this weekend, knew he had it all to do at what is usually a tough away game for anyone in the Middlesex league. Winning the toss, Nunes knew that having first hit on a used wicket was key and his men set out doing just that.

Taking the strain
The in-form pair of Phil Nash and Kamran Toor were called up in the absence of Darshan Chohan and Dave Russell, and both started well. Toor in particular made it look fairly easy (which it certainly wasn’t) but Phil Nash soon edged off to gully for a hard fought 31 balls upfront. Nash's job was done as he helped see off the new ball nicely.

Amardeep Rehncy came in at four against his old club, who certainly reminded him of this during his short innings. Rehncy soon succumbed to mid-on and the Ts were in a little spot of bother at 34/2. Toor, however, continued to make batting look simple with some sublime drives and good patience, the Ts passing 50 and looking comfortable until the introduction of well-known Bupinder Singh who in the space of 3 balls got both Toor and Clint McCabe out, the latter rather unlucky.

Nunes was now at the crease alongside MCC YC stalwart Luke Jones. The skipper knew some real patience and smart batting was required. Both looked comfortable with spin from both ends, which the Ts knew would be the case from previous experience at Indian Gym. Nunes started sending the message out that 150+ on a tough wicket would be a winning score.

The focus now shifted to exactly that and at 80-4 another 70+ runs and a plan to declare was in place. Jones fell to the experienced Khan which brought the introduction of Gurjit Sandhu. Without taking any risks whatsoever the pair of Nunes and Sandhu soon put on 80 runs with Nunes putting away the bad balls and both finding gaps easier than a Madonna smile. With Nunes falling for a well played 68 it was left to the Ts' overseas player Mahi Khavnam and Sandhu to add a few more runs before the declaration which came in the 49th over on 191.

The spinners come to the party
Indian Gym now had 48 overs back to reach their target. A good start from the Ts was required. Tom “peanuts” Grundy, now back from injury (and covering up the shotgun wounds well), and Gurjit Sandhu took the new ball. Immediately they made life extremely difficult for the IG openers. It wasn’t long before Gurjit had both openers out leaving the home team in trouble at 17-2.

Nunes, in a ruthless mood, soon chucked Ts' spin king, Parminder Singh, the ball and it wasn’t long before the writing was on the wall for the home team. Parmy was simply unplayable. There was soon a debate in the slip cordon about how many wickets Parmy would take if he played on this wicket for Indian Gym over a full season. Talk of 20 wickets in the first 3 games was around the number agreed upon. It was a sight for sore eyes watching Parmy back to his best. Clint McCabe from the other end, not one shy of producing some exquisite spin bowling himself, was getting in on the act taking a 3fer for not many but the star of the show was Parmy with 5-17, removing Indian Gym for a ruthless 61 in 35 overs.

A good day all round for the Ts but the hard work starts now. Osterley away this coming weekend and with a number of 1s players back and available it should be a cracker of a game, and one that the Skipper is very much looking forward to.

By Carlos Nunes