Cricket for a cause

Well we were supposed to have a month and a half long break from the league, but then it seems the cricketing itch doesnt seem to keep us away from the grounds longer. The Arizona Cricket Association, given their popularity in the east valley, was approached by the Indo American Foundation of Arizona to help them out during their 6th Annual Charity Walk. They arrange a 5K Walk every year to support local shelters in the valley and homeless youths and raise funds for them. And what other better way to garner support amongst the desis here than cricket. They proposed a so called All-Stars game after the Walk, with players from all the teams of the league participating.
All the teams in the league were asked to nominate a few players and two teams were formed. Although it wasn't really competitive cricket we were sure the participants were going to go hard on each other to keep the crowds happy. It also presented an oppurtunity to play infront of some semblance of an audience. Otherwise there is hardly anyone who has time to watch our league games(except the occasional wives).
It was fun to play with and cheer for players who we'd played against in the league, but I'd say it was more fun to play opposite someone wearing a Chandler Bulls T-shirt. You dont know where your loyalties lie. For a moment when I was fielding I was supporting Vivek, who was batting beautifully but incidentally was playing for our opponents - the India XI(we were the Desi XI), and when Sukrit came to bowl while I was batting, well - it was either he or me, coz he was coming hard at me and I had to save my wicket.
Everyone got a chance with the bat or to roll their arms and the result didn't matter, in the end as they say - cricket won.
Here are some of the snaps from the match.


Our own Hero Hiralal - Sukrit executing one of those stylish shots. He seems to be the only one from our team who got a nice close-up solo shot, otherwise the other guys seem to be supporting artists lurking somewhere in the background in the group photos.


Both the teams-

With the guests and the handful of spectators-


P.S. The food after the match was good. Tasted Samosas after a long time.....