On the front foot

with Croatian Crickter Jeff Grziniæ

Croatia recently took part in a tournament in Belgium in August 2005.  Results can be found at the following link: http://www.cricketeurope.net/ECC/DATABASE/2005/TOURNAMENTS/EUROAFFILIATES/about.shtml

Here Jeff tells us about the experience.

After the ecstasy of winning the 2004 Representative Trophy in Slovenia, the 2005 Croatian National Cricket Team headed to the European Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, with high expectations. History now shows us that Croatia was pooled with eventual undefeated champions, Norway and 3^rd place getters, Spain- the hardest group by far. Considering that only 2 of the three teams progressed to the ’Super 6’ stage for a chance to play-off for the championship we were certainly set the hardest task of the tournament.

A poor first up performance against the well-oiled Norwegians meant that our task was now a must win match against Spain. In what can only be described as heart breaking the result of the game went down to the last ball with Croatia being on the wrong side of the ledger. Even a superb maiden century to run-machine Chris PIVAC couldn’t ease the sting from what was a soul-destroying result. Not making the ‘Super 6’ stage now meant that we had to finish 7^th to stay in this division and avoid relegation. Clinical team victories against Finland and Isle of Man ensured that we cemented our position in the division for the same tournament in 2 years. And that, aside from winning the tournament of course, was the major goal for the side.

Our last game of the tournament saw us once again pitted against Finland and in what can only be described as an extremely unsavoury result as we again had a disappointing last ball loss. After posting yet another competitive total, built around yet another PIVAC hundred, our undisciplined fielding and bowling display certainly let the game slip through our fingers.

The wash-up of our tournament performances was clear- our bowling and fielding was well below par. Aside from our early hiccup against Norway, our batsman posted competitive totals time and time again. It is true that our batting this tournament centred around a red-hot Chris PIVAC but it is clear that the quality of our top 6 or 7 more than stacks up against other nations in our division. The same could not be said about our bowling and fielding standards. It goes without saying of course that each and every member of the side gave 100% either in the field or with ball in hand, because there’s no questioning any players’ commitment.

Unfortunately however if we are to win tournaments and close games against strong countries our national side certainly needs to improve its’ bowling and fielding depth. We have a useful spinner in Craig SINOVICH , and a host of part-time medium pacers, but it is our lack of quality front line bowlers that presents our side with a major problem at present. Without the fiery Phil SILJEG spearheading the attack, our bowling lacked potency and penetration and our need for specialist bowlers who could stand up and dismiss quality batsman and bowl out a side was apparent. It is my opinion that with the addition of 2 specialist pacemen our side would have no doubt been in the mix for tournament spoils. So with the imminent inclusion of SILJEG we are excitedly only one specialist bowler short from being a very dangerous and successful side.

Having already touched on it earlier, it would be remiss of me not to mention the stand-out contribution of Chris PIVAC. Chris scored two centuries in being named the tournaments ‘Best Batsman’ and his all-round efforts both with the ball and in the field proved beyond doubt that he will be a massive asset for Croatian Cricket for many years to come.