The curious case of the eleven Cuddalore batswomen

The sparse onlookers at an inter-district women's match in Chennai today were rubbing their eyes in disbelief after watching one of the most improbable occurences on a cricket field - ten batswomen falling for ducks, and the not out bat also failing to trouble the scorers. That the Cuddalore side escaped the embarrassment of being all out for zero was only due to the largesse of six wides gifted by the Chennai B bowlers.

In the 20 overs a side game, Chennai B had surged to 158 for 1 in 15 overs before declaring prematurely when the skies were threatening to open up. In the event the rain kept off and the clouds too seemed to take a perverse pleasure in watching the mortifying experience of the Cuddalore lasses.

It took precisely 9.3 overs before their discomfort was mercifully put to rest and they were able to retreat into the safety of the dressing room. Of the ten dismissals, seven were caught and three bowled. All five Chennai B bowlers used were among the wickets with Vidisha scalping 3 for 0 from two overs and Sejal finishing with 4 for 2 from four overs.

One of the batswomen Balasoundari did succeed in getting the ball away to the neighbourhood of the boundary but with an uncanny sense of timing she chose that very moment to develop cramp and was unable to run. A runner was hastily summoned but by then it was too late.

The first five wickets fell at zero. Zero for five became 2 for 6 and then 3 for 9. Bhairavi who was introduced into the attack as the fifth bowler, then contrived to bowl three wides but with her third legal delivery she terminated the innings by knocking over Saravanakumari's stumps.

In two previous matches the Cuddalore batswomen had been in comparatively roaring form with the bat. They feasted on the opposition bowlers in the first game to pile up 32, of which 16 were extras, and were in even more sparkling form in their second game, finishing with a tally of 33 of which again 16 were extras. In three matches, they had a combined tally of 24 ducks!