David Latchaya Lights Up Second Week With A Scintillating Century
By Sudharsan Ramarao
David Latchaya, one of the best cricketers in the Capital Region, put on a show in the newly laid NY oval ground. Playing for the Schenectady Spartans against the Albany Highlanders, David was in fine touch as he hit the ball to all parts of the ground.
In a chance-less, undefeated innings of 119, David lit up the ground with 13 beautiful boundaries and 4 effortless sixes. Having played top level cricket in Guyana, David’s class was on display as he gauged the opposition bowlers and took them apart with metronomic precision.
A glorious flick that went all the way for a 6 and a lofted drive over extra cover that went for a huge six were couple of shots that stood out. He came back to field and showed his presence there as well taking an excellent catch on the boundary line off Emanuel Seecharran that could have otherwise been a six.
David is one of the few players you could pay money for and watch him bat and he has proved his worth in gold every single time he has gone to bat. David’s effort with the bat helped the Spartans post 205 in their 20 overs. Vicky Persaud gave him able company scoring 58 off 39 balls.
Chasing 206, the Highlanders never got going as they lost wickets at regular interval. The sole consolation was a fighting innings from Emanuel Seecharran who followed up a century in the previous week with another half century. The Highlanders made 139 in response and lost the match by 66 runs.
Raj Ardham and Ruthvik Vemareddy of the Knights put on a century partnership for the first wicket as they hit the Upstate bowlers to all parts of the ground. Raj Ardham, the skipper of the Knights, was in fine nick playing his aggressive brand of batting as he made 67 off just 42 balls that included 8 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Together with Ruthvik, he put on 119 runs in 11 overs. Ruthvik who was all the playing anchor for Raj then took on the responsibility to keep the momentum going as he unleashed a flurry of shots and finished on a match winning undefeated 85.
Knights posted 212 at the end of their 20 overs. In response the Upstate XI batsman made a fighting chase as they matched the Knights run for run. Their skipper and opener Javed Safi led from the front scoring 46 off 23 balls with his usual attacking batting.
But the Knights bowlers did just enough to pick up crucial wickets at important junctures and put the brakes on the Upstate chase. Rahul Aggarwal picked up a 4 fer with his slow leg breaks. Knights won the match comfortably by 28 runs.
Steven Mangal and Renny Jainabi of the Jaguars put on an unbeaten 120 run partnership and sealed the victory against the Gujarat Lions. Chasing 139 to win against the Gujarat Lions, the Jaguars lost 2 early wickets to the swing of the Lions opening bowler Bhavik Dalsania.
But Steven Mangal and Renny Jainabi denied further inroads as they negotiated the Lions easily and sealed the chase in 16 overs. Renny made 62 off 48 balls while Steven made 51 off 34 balls. Earlier Gujarat Lions made 138 in their 20 overs. Saurabh Verma top scored with 33. Kumar Joseph off the Jaguars picked up 3 wickets for just 12 runs.
Rahul Bandaru of JET Albany single handedly helped the JETS beat the Panthers. Batting first Panthers made a below par 128. Rahul Bandaru picked up 2 wickets opening the bowling. Rahul then came open to bat and finished the chase under 10 overs with his aggressive approach. Rahul was unbeaten on 80 off just 41 balls. He scored 8 boundaries and 2 sixes.
In other matches the Rangers beat UW-ES by 89 runs. Rangers made 169 while the UW-ES only managed to make 80 in response. B-sharps chased 59 under 9 overs against the Schenectady Kings.
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